I Musici

28 February - 11 March 2012 VIEW TOUR GUIDE

"What a treat to hear live such an iconic group as I Musici. Players have come and gone over the course of sixty years, but this charismatic group still charms us with idiomatic colour and flair.”
Wilma Smith (violinist and Concertmaster Emeritus of NZSO)

 I Musici music sample - Bossi | 3 Intermezzi Goldoniani, Opus 127 from the I Musici Serenata Italiana CD http://www.imusicidiroma.com/ascolto.html


Our 2012 season is launched in grand style with one of the best-known ensembles in the world on their first ever visit to New Zealand, I Musici from Rome, Italy.

Famed for its 1955 recording of Vivaldi's Four Seasons which led to the work becoming one of the most well-known compositions of the classical music repertoire, I Musici celebrates its 60th anniversary with a Celebration World Tour taking in China, Singapore, Taiwan, Korea, Japan, Australia, Europe, and New Zealand.

The New Zealand tour begins in Wellington on Tuesday 28 February with a concert as part of the New Zealand International Arts Festival, before the 12-member ensemble heads to Palmerston North, Napier, New Plymouth, Hamilton, Auckland, Invercargill, Dunedin, Christchurch and Nelson.

“We were absolutely thrilled to secure I Musici as our opening artists for the 2012 season and I can’t wait to experience this iconic group,” says Chamber Music New Zealand chief executive Euan Murdoch.

Formed in Rome in 1952, I Musici is one of the longest-running active chamber music ensembles in the world and are well known for their interpretations of baroque works particularly those of Antonio Vivaldi and Tomaso Albinoni.

Their 1955 recording of Vivaldi’s Four Seasons was only the second recording made of the work and the ensemble is widely credited with the work’s enduring popularity – it has featured in films including Spy Games, A View To Kill  and What Lies Beneath, and is often heard in advertising and at weddings. I Musici went on to record Four Seasons another five times with different soloists racking up more than 25 million album sales across the different recordings.

I Musici take you on a journey of the Italian serenade in their Serenata Italiana Programme, with music by Rossini, Respighi, Paganini, and film composer Nino Rota (of The Godfather fame). Featuring string playing that is both pulsing with energy and delicately sweet, this programme will leave you exhilarated!
 

CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD THE PROGRAMME

When & Where

DateProgrammeTimeVenueCentre
28 February 12 Serenata Italiana 7.30pm Free pre-concert talk at 6:30pm in the Lion Harbourview Lounge Michael Fowler Centre Wellington
29 February 12 Serenata Italiana 7.30pm Free pre-concert talk at 6:45pm Regent on Broadway Palmerston North
1 March 12 Serenata Italiana 8pm Napier
Municipal Theatre
Napier
3 March 12 Serenata Italiana 7.30pm Theatre Royal
TSB Showplace
New Plymouth
4 March 12 Serenata Italiana 5pm Gallagher Academy of Performing Arts Hamilton
5 March 12 Serenata Italiana 8pm Free pre-concert talk at 7pm in the Supper Room Auckland Town Hall Auckland
7 March 12 Serenata Italiana 7.30pm Civic Theatre Invercargill
8 March 12 Serenata Italiana 7.30pm Regent Theatre Dunedin
9 March 12 Serenata Italiana 7.30pm Aurora Centre for Performing Arts Christchurch
11 March 12 Serenata Italiana 2pm Nelson
School of Music
Nelson
I Musici
Each and every work benefited from their suave, smooth sound and the sort of technical brilliance that makes ensemble playing seem almost casual.Read full review
John Button, The Dominion Post - 29 Feb 2012
I Musici
Right from the light and playful opening, the audience knew that it was in for something amazing. With 12 members, the group plays with the absolute precision of a string quartet and the richness and tone of a full orchestra.Read full review
Anne Bovett, Taranaki Daily News - 05 Mar 2012
I Musici
Some of the finest string playing witnessed in lovely concert; grazie mille!Read full review
Andrew Buchanan-Smart , Waikato Times - 03 Mar 2012
I Musici
There was a surety of tone that comes from an intimate understanding not only of the music but of the players themselves.Read full review
TI, TI’s Weblog - 06 Mar 2012
I Musici
For those who weren't as familiar with chamber music it was an introduction to the genre that was delightful.Read full review
Gwyneth Hyndman, The Southland Times - 09 Mar 2012
I Musici
I Musici (Rome) left their large Dunedin audience totally satisfied, musically intoxicated, and in awe of the virtuosity of 12 Italian string playersRead full review
Otago Daily Times - 10 Mar 2012
I Musici
Words cannot do justice to the excellence of this concert. It will resonate in my head and heart forever and was a stunning start to the Chamber Music New Zealand season.Read full review
Margot Hannigan, Nelson Mail - 12 Mar 2012