The New Zealand Symphony Orchestra Te Tira Pūoro o Aotearoa (NZSO) is a national taonga. Since its first performance in 1947, for 75 years the NZSO has ignited a love of music in generations of New Zealanders.
Held in high regard internationally, the Grammy Award-nominated orchestra has performed to packed concert halls across Aotearoa New Zealand and around the world with some of the biggest names in classical music, Igor Stravinsky, Jaqueline du Pré, Yehudi Menuhin, Nicola Benedetti and New Zealand’s own Dame Kiri Te Kanawa among them. Beyond its classical heritage the NZSO has worked with a diverse range of contemporary artists, from BENEE to The Muppets. It topped the album charts with Split Enz collaboration ENZSO and features on film and gaming soundtracks including The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring and Titanfall 2.
As New Zealand has changed since 1947, so too has the NZSO. While still presenting more than 75 concerts a year, the orchestra also livestreams performances, presents whānau-friendly content onstage and online, and connects with New Zealanders from all walks of life through its educational and community programmes.