The APO takes on dance in October with SACRE: The Auckland Dance Project, an ambitious collaboration between the education, community and professional arts sectors, featuring more than 150 young dancers from across Auckland. While the performance is still six weeks away, preparations are well underway. We asked Eckehard Stier to tell us more:
What do you do with the APO?
I’m the Music Director of Auckland Philharmonia Orchestra. That means I am the chief conductor, and I am also responsible for the artistic direction of the orchestra.
How are you involved with Sacre?
I will conduct the orchestra at the Aotea Centre on 14 October when we perform Stravinsky’s The Rite of Spring with the young dancers. In preparation for that I will be leading orchestral rehearsals, and also working with the choreographer and artistic director Royston Maldoom and his team to make sure that the musical and dance sides of the project come together.
What’s exciting about this project?
There are many exciting things about this. To work with top international artists like Royston is always enjoyable. Musically, The Rite of Spring is one of the great orchestral masterpieces, and as a musician it means a lot to play the very finest works. Then there’s the excitement of bringing professionals from the arts community together with the young dancers – it’s a great opportunity for everyone and it keeps you on your toes!
Who do you hope will come to the performance?
This is something that will appeal to a broad audience: people who like great dance, people who like great music, members of the public who just enjoy a good spectacle. I hope that the Aotea Centre is full, because this performance is going to be wonderful.
Have you been to any of the workshops? How are things coming together?
I haven’t been to any of the workshops, but with Ann Dewey, Moss Patterson and Tai Royal leading the dancers, and the APO’s education team in schools taking music workshops, I know that everything is well in hand.
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Kiss My Arts is a blog facilitated by THE EDGE, the home of the Aotea Centre, The Civic, Auckland Town Hall and Aotea Square in Auckland, New Zealand.
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