A showy night under stars

The SkyCity Starlight Symphony is a showy night of grand, majestic music, when Dame Kiri te Kanawa and the Auckland Philharmonia Orchestra feature. So, too, will youthful pianist Hao Chen, who will play the first movement of Grieg's Piano Concerto. "It's a fun piece to play," Hao says. "The showy nature of the piece, where my fingers move all over the keys with a flourish, couldn't be more perfect for the event." The concert is an opportunity to enjoy some classics and, at the same time, help the city's children. Gold coin donations on the night will go to Kidz First Children's Hospital. The University of Auckland student says, "I used to be terrified of the audience, but now I get very excited when there's a huge crowd." Hao made her concert debut as a soloist at the age of 14, playing a Mozart piano concerto with some of the NZ Symphony Orchestra players. Her desire to become a concert pianist has held fast in the intervening years and she has a long list of major competition successes. She'll soon be off to the Royal College of Music, London, to complete her master's degree.
Sky City Starlight Symphony, Auckland Domain, Feb 23, 7.30pm. Free entry. Gold coin donations to Kidz First Hospital.