Romance & Virtuosity
Presented by: Bay of Plenty Symphonia
Romance and Virtuosity promises an afternoon of passion, brilliance, and orchestral colour when the Bay of Plenty Symphonia takes the stage on Sunday, 3 May 2026 at 3pm at Holy Trinity Church, Tauranga. Under the baton of its Music Director Michael Joel, the orchestra presents a programme that blends dramatic power with lyrical beauty.
The concert opens with the fiery intensity of the Coriolan Overture by Ludwig van Beethoven. Inspired by the story of the Roman general Coriolanus, the work is full of urgency and intensity, contrasting turbulent power with moments of poignant reflection.
The spotlight then turns to acclaimed violinist Lara Hall performing the virtuosic Violin Concerto No. 5 by Belgian composer Henri Vieuxtemps. One of the great showpieces of the Romantic violin repertoire, the concerto combines sweeping melodies with breathtaking technical brilliance. Hall, who audiences will remember from her masterful performance of Beethoven’s Violin Concerto with the Symphonia in 2025, has captivated audiences across New Zealand as both a soloist and chamber musician, and her performance promises both flair and musical depth.
Hall then returns to perform the lyrical Romance for Violin and Orchestra by Antonín Dvořák, a deeply expressive work that highlights the violin’s singing quality through warm, flowing melodies and glowing orchestral colours.
The afternoon concludes with the vibrant energy of Symphony No. 2 by Beethoven. Full of wit, rhythmic vitality, and exuberant spirit, this joyful symphony showcases the orchestra at its most lively and celebratory.
