Opus Orchestra: Beethoven Unwrapped

Opus Orchestra needs your help to present Beethoven Unwrapped, touring Hamilton, Rotorua, and Tauranga this October 17-19. This concert series invites audiences to experience Beethoven’s Symphony No. 7 in a way that is warm, engaging, and welcoming for everyone.

In the first half, guest conductor Brent Stewart and Opus Orchestra will guide audiences through the music’s rhythms, themes, and energy. In the second half, the full symphony will be performed — creating a concert experience that is interactive, accessible, and unforgettable.

Opus Orchestra is the professional orchestra for the Waikato and Bay of Plenty, dedicated to sharing exceptional live orchestral music with communities across the region. We honour the music of the past, celebrate the joy of music today, and nurture the musicians and audiences of the future.

For Beethoven Unwrapped, we’re thrilled to welcome guest conductor Brent Stewart — one of New Zealand’s exciting young conductors. Brent is the Music Director of Orpheus Choir Wellington, the 2025 Friedlander Foundation Associate Artist for NZ Opera, and has conducted major orchestras across Aotearoa, including the NZSO, Orchestra Wellington, and Auckland Philharmonia. He is known for his dynamic, engaging style and his passion for making classical music accessible to everyone.

While this concert tour is supported by arts funders and local partners, this Boosted campaign specifically helps fund Brent’s fee as well as supporting musicians’ fees — the artistic leaders whose expertise ensures the concerts are performed to the highest standard. Your support will also help us keep ticket prices affordable and inclusive so everyone can enjoy the music.

We need your help to raise $8,000 for Beethoven Unwrapped  to cover the fees for conductor Brent Stewart and the professional musicians who will bring Beethoven Unwrapped to life across Hamilton, Rotorua, and Tauranga.

This is an all-or-nothing campaign — if we don’t reach our full target of $8,000 by Friday, October 4th, we won’t receive any of the funds raised. Every dollar truly counts toward making these concerts possible.

And here’s the exciting news:
Catriona Gordon Legal Limited and Steve Thompson have generously pledged to match every donation dollar-for-dollar up to the first $3,000 raised! That means if you give now, your gift will be doubled, helping us reach our goal twice as fast and helping you provide double the impact.

Your support ensures we can pay the conductor and players fairly while keeping ticket prices low — just $10 for tamariki and students — and providing free tickets through our community partners so that families from all economic backgrounds can experience the power of live orchestral music.

Please help us bring Beethoven Unwrapped to life — and remember, the first $3,000 will be matched if you danate before Oct 4th - so your gift has double the impact.

This October, Beethoven Unwrapped will tour Hamilton, Rotorua, and Tauranga, bringing audiences a concert experience that goes far beyond the ordinary:

• Hamilton – Friday 17 October, 7:30pm – Gallagher Academy of Performing Arts
• Rotorua – Saturday 18 October, 2:00pm – St John’s Church
• Tauranga – Sunday 19 October, 3:00pm – St Peters in the City

In the first half of each concert, guest conductor Brent Stewart and Opus Orchestra will take audiences inside Beethoven’s Symphony No. 7, exploring its themes, rhythms, and emotions through live excerpts and storytelling. This interactive approach helps audiences connect with the music on a deeper level, whether they are longtime concertgoers or hearing Beethoven for the very first time.

After the interval, the full symphony will be performed in its entirety. With the insights from the first half in mind, audiences will experience the complete work with new understanding and appreciation — a chance to hear one of Beethoven’s greatest masterpieces come alive in a fresh, accessible way.

As part of the Beethoven Unwrapped project, we are also running a music arranging workshop during the rehearsal weekend in partnership with the University of Waikato. For many composition students, this will be the first time their arrangements are performed by a professional orchestra — an invaluable opportunity to learn, hear their work come to life, and gain mentorship from experienced musicians. This workshop nurtures the next generation of composers while strengthening the connection between the orchestra and the university community.

We are committed to ensuring that Beethoven Unwrapped is for everyone. Tickets for tamariki and students will remain at just $10, and by partnering with community organisations such as Hamilton’s Te Rauhii Project, we will provide free tickets for families from across the economic spectrum so that cost is never a barrier to experiencing live orchestral music.

Your donation will make Beethoven Unwrapped possible — supporting the conductor and professional musicians who bring this extraordinary project to life across Hamilton, Rotorua, and Tauranga.

By contributing, you will:

• Fund Brent Stewart and our orchestra players, ensuring the concerts are performed at the highest standard
• Keep ticket prices low for tamariki and students at just $10, so young people and families can experience the magic of live orchestral music
• Provide free tickets through community partners, ensuring families from all economic backgrounds can attend
• Support University of Waikato composition students,  in our music arranging workshop during the rehearsal weekend for this concert
• Bring Beethoven’s Symphony No. 7 to audiences in three regional centres through an immersive concert experience that helps people connect more deeply with the music

Your gift will not only help — it will MAKE this concert happen. Without reaching our goal, we cannot bring Beethoven Unwrapped to life. Every dollar you give turns possibility into reality, ensuring this music reaches our communities. No matter how small, every bit helps — and all donations over $5 are eligible for a 33% tax rebate.