NZ Symphony Orchestra stamps take centre stage

Te Whanganui-a-Tara - NZ Post’s latest stamp release celebrates a milestone birthday for the New Zealand Symphony Orchestra (NZSO) and pays homage to the past and present.

Turning 75 this year, the New Zealand Symphony Orchestra Te Tira Pūoro o Aotearoa is one of the world’s oldest national symphony orchestras.

It has a reputation for artistic excellence on the international stage, attracting many of the world’s leading conductors and soloists each year.

From today, a special NZSO 75th anniversary mint miniature sheet and miniature first day cover are available to purchase.

Each set contains two stamps with denominations of $1.50 and $4.10 and were designed by NZ Post’s inhouse designer Hannah Fortune.

The collection pays homage to the past with a photo of the orchestra’s first ever rehearsal, in October 1946, and pays homage to the present with a photo of NZSO’s newly appointed artistic advisor and principal conductor Gemma New.

At 35 years old, New is the first woman to hold the title of principal conductor and says she’s thrilled to be joining the NZSO team.

The orchestra’s first ever concert was held on 6 March 1947 at the Wellington Town Hall. Its next concert will be held in Wellington on April 1.

NZSO chief executive Peter Biggs says the 75th anniversary year is a celebration of what the orchestra means to New Zealanders today and in the future, as well as past triumphs.

Despite the pandemic, the NZSO has pulled out all stops to present a diverse selection of music in 2022 with some of the most talented artists from around the world and Aotearoa New Zealand.

The NZSO expanded the variety of performances to reach more communities from Kerikeri to Invercargill and introduce more people to their national orchestra.

They will continue to digitally stream concerts for a growing online audience here and overseas.”

In 2016 the NZSO was nominated for best orchestral performance at the prestigious Grammy Awards.

In its touring programmes each year the NZSO can perform more than 100 concerts in more than 30 different communities across New Zealand to audiences in excess of 100,000 people.

Many more enjoy the orchestra’s performances through RNZ concert broadcasts, film soundtracks and CD recordings.