Music News - APO To Perform Symphonic Celebration of Sondheim
17 May 2023 - 0 Comments
On the 22nd of June, at The Civic, Auckland Philharmonia Orchestra (APO)
will be performing A Night of Sondheim, presented with
Auckland Live as part of the Auckland Live Cabaret Experience. This performance
promises to bring to life Stephen Sondheim’s compositions with a full orchestra
of over 65 musicians, together on stage with four outstanding singers.
Sondheim, who passed in 2021, was one of the most decorated musical lyricists and
composers of all time, winner of eight Grammy awards, five Laurence Olivier
awards, six Tonys, sixteen Drama desk awards, and many more. The New York Times
called Sondheim a ‘titan of the American musical.’ His musicals were regularly
produced for Broadway and the West End, and even when they began in smaller
venues repeated productions and revivals saw audiences grow alongside
Sondheim’s reputation as an artist without parallel.
The concert will feature a range of Sondheim’s works, from his lyrical contributions
to 1957’s West Side Story to 1987’s Into the Woods.
This will showcase the range of Sondheim’s stories and musical styles, from the
snappy showtune Everybody Says Don’t! to the Broadway ballad Being
Alive.
Vocalists are Tyran Parke, Bridget Costello, Delia Hannah, and Edward
Laurenson. Costello comes to this fresh from playing Christine in Opera
Australia’s production of Phantom of the Opera. Delia Hannah is
a seasoned veteran of musical theatre, best known for playing Grizabella in
several productions of Cats. Edward Laurenson returns to the
company after a tenure overseas including at the San Francisco Conservatory of
Music, grateful for the support he enjoyed as an APO Young Achiever early in
his career.
Tyran Parke is acting as MC in addition to providing vocals. Parke is a huge
devotee to the work of Stephen Sondheim. After playing the title role in the
Australian premiere of Sunday in the Park with George, he
was thrilled to direct the highly acclaimed 2018 production. Follies
was a huge hit at the Melbourne Recital Centre, Assassins
toured throughout Victoria after its sell-out Melbourne season, while the
concerts, Sondheim on Sondheim, The Boys of Sondheim and Everything’s
Coming up Sondheim repeated this artistic success. Tyran also
directed acclaimed versions of Into the Woods, and the rarely seen, Anyone
Can Whistle.
"When it comes to musicals, Stephen Sondheim is unsurpassed in terms of
wit, melody, passion and insight into the human spirit. His music has been
heard in theatres around the globe but it is most fully realised with a full
orchestra and they don't get any better than the Auckland Philharmonia"
says Parke.
Mark Dorrell will be on piano as Musical Director. He enjoyed a long
association with composer Stephen Sondheim collaborating with him on the
original London productions of Into the Woods, Assassins
and Passion as well as the world premiere of Putting
It Together and productions of A Little Night Music with Judi Dench
and Sweeney Todd at the National Theatre London.
"This exciting concert provides a wonderful opportunity for audiences to
experience the musical and lyrical genius of Stephen Sondheim. A stunning
quartet of the finest singers combine with the full orchestral forces of the
Auckland Philharmonia to celebrate his extraordinary legacy. As a long-time
admirer, friend and collaborator of Sondheim I'm delighted and honoured to be
part of this thrilling event" says Dorrell.
Anthony Hunt will be conducting. Hunt has long time experience as Chorus Master
at Opera Australia and has conducted for the Adelaide Symphony Orchestra.
The Auckland Philharmonia Orchestra is pleased to be able to delight musical
theatre and orchestral audiences alike with this performance as part of the Auckland
Live Cabaret Experience.
Auckland Philharmonia Orchestra
& Auckland Live present
A NIGHT OF SONDHEIM
7.30pm, Thursday 22 June
The Civic
Above Photo: Bridget Costello, Edward Laurenson, Delia Hannah, Tyran Parke
Main Photo Credit: Adrian Malloch
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