Initially, the New Zealand Symphony Orchestra had scheduled a full-scale Concerto for Orchestra by Wellington composer Ross Harris as, presumably, the centrepiece of Saturday night’s Arias concert. As late as last month, an NZSO press release touted this admittedly eccentric programming as a celebration of Puccini’s opera hits and a Kiwi world premiere. However, since then, Harris has been set aside – with promises of a later performance – and we were presented with a Puccini potpourri peppered with assorted orchestral items by his Italian confreres.
Verdi’s overture to La Forza del Destino was a stirring launch under Jose Luis Gomez. Exchanging baton for microphone, the Venezuelan conductor proceeded to give the first of too many running commentaries, in a thick accent..
