New Zealand Opera School

Conductor - Michael Joel
Soloists –
David Zhu – Oboe
Hayden Chiu – Violin
Shan Liu – Piano
Henry Meng – Composer

Lebrun - Oboe Concerto No 1 in D minor
Wieniawski - Violin Concerto No 2 Op 22 in D minor
Meng - Commissioned Work
Prokofiev - Piano Concerto No 3 Op 26 in C

Making its Festival debut with a young and brilliant showcase of classical musicianship, the city’s
oldest chamber orchestra presents not one but three concertos and the world premiere of a
specially commissioned work by 20-yearold Tāmaki Makaurau composer and pianist Henry Meng.
This is a perfect opportunity to encounter the next generation of classical stars within the timeless
and welcoming setting of a St Matthew’s concert.

This concert is part of the St Matthew's Chamber Orchestra (SMCO) 2026 Concert Series.
This concert is part of the Auckland Arts Festival.

Otis Prescott-Mason, piano

Jade String Quartet

Conductor - Michael Joel
Soloist - Helene Pohl

Brahms - Violin Concerto Op 77 in D
Dvořák - Symphony No 6 Op 60 in D

"I couldn’t help but be overwhelmed by the charismatic violin-playing of Helene Pohl". Middle-C

This concert is part of the St Matthew's Chamber Orchestra (SMCO) 2026 Concert Series.

St Cuthberts College 

Conductor - Michael Joel
Soloist - Lara Hall

Sibelius - Finlandia Op 26
Saint-Saëns - Violin Concerto No 3 Op 61 in B minor
Sibelius - Symphony No 1 Op 39 in E minor

“Hall played with immense ease and grace - her notes always honeyed and floating in the air, ghost-
like in the auditorium of Holy Trinity”.  – C Poppy, BOP News

This concert is part of the St Matthew's Chamber Orchestra (SMCO) 2026 Concert Series.

Flavio Villani, piano 

Auckland Diosesan School 

Conductor - David Kay
Soloist - Jonah Levy

Haydn - Symphony No 70 in D
Hummel - Trumpet Concerto in E
Mozart - Die Zauberflöte Overture K 620
Beethoven - Symphony No 5 Op 67 in C minor

This concert is part of the St Matthew's Chamber Orchestra (SMCO) 2026 Concert Series.

Instrumental ensemble

Conductor - Adam Maha
Soloist - Tony Chen Lin

Mozart - Symphony No 31 K297 in D ‘Paris’
Mozart - Piano Concerto No 20 K466 in D minor
Arnsten, Bjorn - Commissioned Work
Stravinsky - Pulcinella Suite

"TONY CHEN LIN is a true artist. Rarely have I encountered a finer musician who has
something truly exceptional to say in music. He has a strong musical personality that speaks
to audiences and possesses the technique, which is expected today, but also artistry which is
not always expected.” Tamás Vásárich

This concert is part of the St Matthew's Chamber Orchestra (SMCO) 2026 Concert Series.

Ben Hoadley, bassoon 

Conductor - Michael Joel
Soloists –
Monique Lapins – Violin
Matthias Balzat – Cello

Mozart - Symphony No 35 K385 in D ‘Haffner’
Gounod - Symphony No 1 in D
Brahms - Double Concerto Op 102 in A minor

St Matthew’s Chamber Orchestra’s final concert for the year brings along not one but two of New
Zealand’s most acclaimed soloists for your enjoyment. The highlight of the programme will surely be
Monique Lapins (Violin) and Matthias Balzat (Cello) performing the great Brahms Double Concerto,
his final work for orchestra and a sublime masterpiece that requires two brilliant and equally
matched soloists.

This concert is part of the St Matthew's Chamber Orchestra (SMCO) 2026 Concert Series.

Alison Dunlop, oboe