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Toward the end of his life, New Zealand composer Jack Body’s thoughts were not solely on his battle against cancer. He wanted to ensure the world would get to hear his final composition, Passio.
Now as Carla van Zon, prepares to stage her final arts festival, she’s fulfilled her friend’s wish. While Passio was performed in Wellington, thanks to help from a number of local composers van Zon has been able to include it on the Auckland Arts Festival’s 2017 programme.
Van Zon, artistic director of the Auckland Arts Festival since 2011, retires after the 2017 event and says ensuring audiences get to hear Passio was important for her to do. Featuring 46 brass instrumentalists, it will be performed by Auckland Chamber Orchestra and Voices NZ Chamber Choir and is one of the largest musical events planned for next summer’s festival.
Spectacular as Passio promises to be, it is far from the only large-scale performance or exhibition planned for AAF 2017. Released this week, the programme is packed with great and grand concerts, stage shows, outdoor events and stunning exhibitions.
“I always think about the people of Auckland when I am planning a festival and what we can bring that is new and tempting enough to encourage them to try something different,” says van Zon, who oversaw the move to make the festival annual.
“I look for work, both from New Zealand and around the world that reflects this place and all who live here.”
Last year, some 166,000 attended an AAF event. Those lucky enough to have a sneak look at the 2017 programme have described it as one of the most accessible ever, combining the contemporary and traditional and offering the chance to see a variety of work.