Vector Orchestra
Welcome to the Vector Wellington Orchestra’s Summer Concert for 2011.
Before the concert begins, as a mark of respect for those who died in the devastating earthquake in Christchurch, the Orchestra will perform Sir Edward Elgar’s composition Nimrod. This beautiful and well known piece often played at memorial services is the ninth of Elgar’s famous Enigma Variations.
As the Orchestra plays, we can all bring to mind the memory of those who have tragically died in Christchurch. We can also recall those in Canterbury in New Zealand and other parts of the world, who are grieving and whose lives have been changed forever by this tragedy.
Later:
May I then greet everyone in the languages of the realm of New Zealand, in English, Māori, Cook Island Māori, Niuean, Tokelauan and New Zealand Sign Language. Greetings, Kia Ora, Kia Orana, Fakalofa Lahi Atu, Taloha Ni and as it is the afternoon (Sign)
I then specifically greet you: Your Worship, Celia Wade-Brown, Mayor of Wellington; Alick Shaw and Diana Marsh, Chair and General Manager respectively of the Vector Wellington Orchestra; Paul Elenio, General Manager of The Dominion Post; Marc Taddei, Conductor and Music Director; Matthew Ross, Concertmaster and members of the Orchestra; soloists Aivale Cole and Benjamin Makisi, members of the Footnote Dance Company and Nga Taonga Mai Tawhiti; Distinguished Guests otherwise; Ladies and Gentlemen; Boys and Girls.
This concert comes to be held at the Michael Fowler Centre because adverse weather has caused cancellation of the outdoor event in the grounds of Government House.
Government House will officially reopen on 24 March, with public open days to follow a few weeks later, and the Conservation Project which has taken two years will be at an end. Next year the much loved Vector Wellington Orchestra concert will be able to return to its much loved site for the summer concert.
The Orchestra plays a pivotal role in the cultural life of the Capital, performing for up to 100,000 people every year. In addition to supporting other arts organisations in Wellington, including the Royal New Zealand Ballet and the NBR National Opera, its concerts everywhere engage a wide range of audiences from pre-school and primary school children upwards.
It is a record of service worthy of praise and it speaks of the Orchestra’s deep and enduring connection to the community of which it is an integral part. The passing of the 60th anniversary of the establishment of its legal entity, the Wellington Regional Orchestra Foundation, reinforces that point.
The programme the Orchestra will present today, supported by our soloists, the Footnote Dance Company and Nga Taonga Mai Tawhiti, is again of the highest quality. With music from New Zealand composer Gareth Farr to great works by Puccini and Vivaldi, before concluding with Tchaikovsky’s famous 1812 Overture, we can all look forward to an afternoon of superb entertainment.
On a note thus of anticipation, I will close in New Zealand’s first language Māori, offering everyone greetings and wishing everyone good health and fortitude in your endeavours. No reira, tēnā koutou, tēnā koutou, kia ora, kia kaha, tēnā koutou katoa.