About the APO

Auckland Philharmonia Orchestra: playing for Auckland

Auckland Philharmonia Orchestra is Auckland’s leading performing arts organisation, and the city’s resident full-time professional symphony orchestra.

In more than 80 performances annually, the APO presents a full season of symphonic work showcasing many of the world’s finest classical musicians. Recent soloists include Michael Collins, Tasmin Little, Midori, Christine Brewer and Dame Evelyn Glennie. Returning this year are James Ehnes, Nikolai Demidenko, Giancarlo Guerrero and  Kristian Winther among several others, and we are delighted to welcome for the first time acclaimed artists including soprano Susan Bullock, organist Cameron Carpenter and  esteemed German conductor Jun Märkl. The APO is also proud to support both the NBR New Zealand Opera and the Royal New Zealand Ballet in their Auckland performances.

Renowned for its innovation, passion and versatility, the APO collaborates with some of New Zealand’s most inventive artists, including recent performances with leading Auckland hip hop artists in its Remix the Orchestra performance, Warren Maxwell, Nathan Haines and the Topp Twins. Additionally, the APO is orchestra of choice for visiting international acts such as Kenny Rogers, Diana Krall, and Serj Tankian.

The APO promotes a vibrant arts culture by providing leadership and support across the arts sector. Through its numerous APO Connecting (education, outreach and community) initiatives the APO offers opportunities to more than 23,000 young people and adults nationwide to participate in music, ranging from hip hop and rock to contemporary and classical. In 2011 the orchestra launched Sistema Aotearoa in partnership with the Ministry for Culture and Heritage. This is the first music education programme in New Zealand to be based on El Sistema, one of the world’s most successful music and social development projects, and it now teaches music to almost 200 children, with instruments and teaching provided free of charge.

More than 100,000 people hear the orchestra live each year, and many thousands more  are reached through special events, other media and recordings on the APO Live and Naxos music labels.

Most APO concerts are broadcast live nationally and streamed online on Radio New Zealand Concert, allowing everyone the chance to share the excitement of a world-class performance.