Madison Horman (soprano), NZSO National Youth Orchestra, Adam Johnson (conductor) onstage at Wellington's Michael Fowler Centre. Photo: Phoebe Tuxford, photographer, provided by the NZSO
NZSO National Youth Orchestra with conductor Adam Johnson Photo: Phoebe Tuxford, photographer, provided by the NZSO
Each year, the New Zealand Symphony Orchestra bring together talented young orchestral musicians under the age of 25 for the opportunity to perform with leading conductors, artists and each other.
Acclaimed Canadian conductor Adam Johnson lead the orchestra for the very first time in New Zealand. He’s an award-winning conductor hailed as "an exciting talent" and for his "charismatic and commanding presence" on the podium. Johnson is the Artistic Director of the Orchestre Symphonique de Laval, as well as Music Director of the Baton Rouge Symphony Orchestra and the Guelph Symphony Orchestra.
Madison Horman (soprano), NZSO National Youth Orchestra, Adam Johnson (conductor) onstage at Wellington's Michael Fowler Centre. Photo: Phoebe Tuxford, photographer, provided by the NZSO
Joining the NYO was one of New Zealand’s rising opera stars, Madison Horman, fresh from the Royal Academy of Music and a 2024 Lexus Song Quest semi-finalist. She performed Strauss’ Four Songs Op. 27—a deeply romantic set of songs originally composed as a wedding gift for Strauss’ wife.
They also performed the world premiere of 'glacier' Luka Venter, the NZSO NYO’s 2025 Composer-in-Residence. It’s a bold, contemporary piece that captures the raw beauty and fragility of nature.
Also on the programme: the fiery drama of Strauss’ 'Don Juan', and the sweeping, soul-stirring power of Rachmaninov’s Second Symphony—a masterpiece that dances between longing, charm, and passion.
Photo: Phoebe Tuxford, photographer, provided by the NZSO
Madison Horman (soprano), NZSO National Youth Orchestra, Adam Johnson (conductor) onstage at Wellington's Michael Fowler Centre. Photo: Phoebe Tuxford, photographer, provided by the NZSO
Composer Luka Venter with the NZSO National Youth Orchestra and conductor Adam Johnson onstage at Wellington's Michael Fowler Centre. Photo: Phoebe Tuxford, photographer, provided by the NZSO
Photo: Phoebe Tuxford, photographer, provided by the NZSO
Recorded at the Michael Fowler Centre, 5 July, 2025
David Houston, producer & engineer
Ursula Scott, assistant engineer
