<<<  <<  -- 5 --  Howard Smith    MUSICAL ADAPTABILITY

Among further highlights concertgoers will await, a September concert with Chapman Tripp Opera Chorus and soloists (Music director Michael Vinten) in Bluebeard's Castle and Stravinsky's Symphony of Psalms.

Remaining subscription concerts include performances of Tchaikovsky's Piano Concerto (John Chen, soloist) Beethoven's Violin Concerto (Feng Ning, soloist), and Scheherazade, one hundred years after the death of Rimsky-Korsakoff (1844-1908).

To cater for the youngest audiences the touring ensemble will present Tane and the Kiwi, a multimedia offering based on Maori legend (children 1 -- 8) and Baby Pops with a jungle theme (children 2-6).

A contrasting audience seems assured when VWO accompanies two of the country's most highly regarded pop performers; singer-songwriter Dave Dobbyn is widely known for his easy lyrics and a low-key folksy style while funk-rock-hiphop performer Che Fu has won a treasury of pop awards.

Such innovative departures are unlikely to lie beyond VWO's comfort zone -- the fact is its musical adaptability is second to none in New Zealand.