A NIGHT ON THE TOWN
SUNDAY SYMPHONY:
Neither opera nor oratorio, not song cycle nor symphony; Hector Berlioz’s fantastical drama La Damnation de Faust creates a magical world of dancing sylphs and demonic devils in technicolour musical detail. Now it’s being staged in Auckland with one of the greatest bass-baritones in the world, American Eric Owens, as the demonic Mephistopheles, British tenor Andrew Staples in the title role, mezzosoprano Alisa Kolosova as Marguerite and the NZ Opera chorus. An ideal way to pass a Sunday afternoon. NZ Symphony Orchestra, The Damnation of Faust: concert opera, Great
Hall, Auckland Town Hall today at 2.30pm.
STREET TALK:
Silo Theatre’s former artistic director Shane Bosher has returned home to stage a contemporary take on Tennessee Williams’ devastating masterpiece, A Streetcar Named Desire. Financial woes have sunk the DuBois family estate, leaving a fragile and desperate Blanche to take refuge with her sister Stella and Stella’s brooding husband Stanley. As the sultry, hot summer drags on, the sexual tension and resentment rises. The jewel in Silo’s 20th birthday crown, the play has lost none of its urgency since its debut 70 years ago. A Streetcar Named Desire, Rangatira at Q Theatre, until Saturday, September 16.
K RD CAPERS:
Karangahape Rd is one of Auckland’s most treasured musical hubs, with a number of iconic venues tucked along the ridgeline. There’s no better night to experience it than The Others Way Festival; an alternative music extravaganza with more than 30 acts spread across eight K Road venues. Lead by legendary Kiwi record label Flying Out, this year’s line-up features local legends Bic Runga, Lawrence Arabia and Tiny Ruins alongside prolific up-and-comers such as Kane Strang, Street Chant and SoccerPractise. It’s the perfect evening to explore the thrillingly diverse sounds of New Zealand music. The Others Way Festival, various K Rd venues, Friday, September 1.
ITALY IN AUCKLAND:
Portraits, landscapes, mythological and religious paintings as well as sculpture, furniture, costumes, games, kitchen equipment and a lavish dining room set for six — they’re all part of the private collection of the eminent Corsini family. Now they’ve left Florence, Italy for the first time, to be seen in New Zealand’s largest exhibition of Renaissance and Baroque art. Featuring paintings by artists such as Botticelli, Andrea del Sarto, Caravaggio and Pontormo, this exhibition provides a window on one family’s continuing passion for collecting art and their ongoing loyalty to the city of Florence. The Corsini Collection: A Window on Renaissance Florence, Auckland Art Gallery, Saturday, September 2 to Sunday, January 21, 2018.
Dionne Christian and George Fenwick
POP PRINCESS:
For those who like their music a little more global, one of the world’s biggest pop superstars lands in Auckland this week. Ariana Grande brings her
tour to Spark Arena on Saturday off the back of her hit 2016 album. The tour has taken on a new poignancy since the tragic events at her Manchester concert earlier this year, and Grande’s determined bravery in the face of such an atrocity is a true testament to the power of music. This is a rare pop event from an extraordinarily talented artist.