Upbeat for Thursday 25 February 2016
Michael Joel
Michael Joel is back from London to conduct the Christchurch Symphony Orchestra's Opera in the Vines in the Pegasus Bay vineyard this weekend. New Zealand tenor Simon O’Neill leads an impressive cast of international talent, including Australian baritone José Carbó and Thai-American soprano Ariya Sawadivong in a performance of some of the greatest hits of opera.
Dejan Lazić
Pianist Dejan Lazić makes his New Zealand debut tonight with the Auckland Philharmonia Orchestra. The powerhouse pianist will play Brahms' first Piano Concerto, a work that requires both the technical mastery and emotional intensity the young pianist is famous for. Dejan Lazić is also a composer noted for his Piano Concertos: one based on Brahms' Violin Concerto, op. 77, and another based on Istrian folk tunes from his native Croatia.