26 March – 19 November 2026
Michael Fowler Centre
The NZSO’s reputation for artistic excellence attracts many of the world’s leading musicians, conductors, and soloists. In 2026, some of the music-world luminaries include violinists María Dueñas and James Ehnes, trombonist Jörgen van Rijen, pianist Isata Kanneh-Mason, and New Zealand piano prodigy Shan Liu.
Wellington shows are hosted in the Michael Fowler Centre, home of the NZSO. The touring programme will see the orchestra perform over 100 concerts in over 30 communities. Be among over 100,000 people across the motu who experience live orchestra music.
One of the world’s most acclaimed conductors, Sir Donald Runnicles, returns to conduct a concert of ravishing beauty. Richard Strauss’s Rosenkavalier Suite evokes the decadence of 18th-century Vienna, while his sublime Four Last Songs are interpreted by the silver-voiced soprano Madeleine Pierard.
Mozart’s last piano concerto (No. 27) receives an intelligent and elegant interpretation by the dynamic British pianist Isata Kanneh-Mason. To round out the programme, the NZSO performs two works that deserve a wider audience — Brahms’ Serenade and Elfrida Andrée’s Andante Recitative.
NZSO Principal Conductor Gemma New and legendary pianist Sir Stephen Hough present a concert of charm and mystery. Elgar’s masterpiece Enigma Variations is considered a work of compositional genius. It’s programmed with Saint-Saëns Piano Concerto No. 5 and Ross Harris Concerto for Orchestra.
The grand finale of the NZSO’s season involves a monumental work of emotional power. For his 9th symphony, Beethoven used an audacious juxtaposition of styles and forces. This included a choir, which was revolutionary at the time. Join four soloists and The Orpheus Choir in a thrilling end to the year.
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