SONG OF DESTINY - the NZSO and Voices New Zealand Chamber Choir conducted by James Judd

About this event

The New Zealand Symphony Orchestra (NZSO) closes its 2021 season with a concert of hope, drama and triumph, with Voices New Zealand Chamber Choir, conducted by Musical Director Emeritus James Judd.

Verdi composed the opera Nabucco at a very emotional time in his life. After personal tragedy and the failure of his most recent opera, he resolved to never write another opera. Fortunately, he was persuaded to change his mind and Nabucco, whose overture is featured here, became the work that established Verdi’s reputation as a composer.

While visiting friends in 1868, Brahms came across a poem by Friedrich Hölderlin. He was so deeply moved by this work he immediately began sketching ideas that would become Schicksalslied ("Song of Destiny"). Here featuring a chorus of singers from Voices New Zealand, Brahms’s Song of Destiny traverses the tranquillity, havoc, drama and mystery of Hölderlin's original poem.

Compared to Dvořák’s more sombre Seventh Symphony, the Eighth is often seen as joyful and idyllic, although it is not without its darker moments. From the brooding opening theme in the cellos to the joyful trumpet fanfares of the final movement, Dvořák’s Symphony No. 8 is a work of great contrasts.

Your ticket purchase will directly support the participating artists through IDAGIO’s Fair Artist Payout Model: IDAGIO pays 80% of the net revenue directly to the performers.

This stream is available to watch until June 3, 2022.

Programme

• 1. Concert – approx. 85 min programme

Repertoire

1. Giuseppe Verdi: Nabucco Overture, performed by the NZSO 

2. Johannes Brahms: Schicksalslied, Op. 54 (Song of Destiny), performed by the NZSO with Voices New Zealand Chamber Choir

3. Antonín Dvořák: Symphony No. 8 in G Major, Op. 88, performed by the NZSO

The concert was filmed at Michael Fowler Centre, Wellington, New Zealand.