Wagner - NZSO

In the continuing OTT bloggage for today, here's the review of the NZSO on Friday night.

Wow. This concert was a stunner. One of the blondes and I wandered along, I would have been going anyway cos I really like Wagner. My biggest problem is that I don't like 'greatest hits' packages and would rather listen to the full opera. But eh, beggar's cannae be choosey. The line-up was:
Die Meistersinger Prelude
Lohengrin Prelude (Act 1)
Tristan und Isolde: Prelude and Liebestod
The Flying Dutchman Overture
Tannhaüser Overture
Gotterdammerung: Immolation Scene

So very much a 'greatest hits'. But hells bells. This rocked the phat one. The NZSO generally sounds very good, but this time I'm out of superlatives. Everyone was clear, in tune, and generally stunning.
Margaret Medlyn was wonderful in her two pieces, and the guest conductor was very in to it.

The passion that Wagner should have was there, tempered nicely by the raw power of the size of the orchestra's his work demands. The brass sections were in great form - and if they aren't any good, you certainly know it after a Wagner.
Tannhauser, possibly my favourite opera, was wonderful - very clear, very precise and just rockin' with passion. Ahhhh.

The night was topped off by Long Island Iced Teas, the league and a brief appearance at a 21st (!).

Tomorrow: a review of Napalm Death.

B.