NZSO Concert in Rotorua

SYMPHONY SAVIOUR: NZSO Concertmaster Vesa-Matti Leppanen has stepped in to perform in Rotorua tomorrow. PHOTO/MATT GRACE

The New Zealand Symphony Orchestra's nationwide tour is set to finish on a high this weekend with a performance in Rotorua.

The world-class orchestra will perform at the Sir Howard Morrison Performing Arts Centre tomorrow, the final stop in a nationwide tour that features a vivacious Italian programme.

The show opens with Rossini's The Barber of Seville overture and will also feature Mendelssohn's Violin Concerto, which has proved popular since it premiered in 1845.

New Zealand Symphony Orchestra spokeswoman Janina Hanifysaid the show was an opportunity for local music enthusiasts to enjoy an orchestra of exceptional talent.

"It's also the last stop in the tour. They've been getting even better and better as the tour goes on, so Rotorua will be in for the very best of performances."

Due to illness, American violinist Stefan Jackiw had to pull out of the tour but NZSO Concertmaster Vesa-Matti Leppanen will now perform Mendelssohn's Violin Concerto in Jackiw's place.

Ms Hanify said it was an extraordinary feat for Leppanen to step in at the final hour to perform this challenging concerto.

Born and raised in Turku, Finland, Leppanen moved to New Zealand in 2000 and has earned national and international recognition for his talents.

Leppanen has performed as a soloist and chamber musician in Australia, China, Japan, Philippines and Scandinavia and led the NZSO on its European and Japanese Tour in 2005 and European tour in 2010.

He has worked alongside internationally renowned soloists including Hilary Hahn, Lang Lang, Pinchas Zukerman and Steven Isserlis.

Leading the show is Japan's Junichi Hirokami, chief conductor of the Kyoto Symphony, who has guest conducted the Vienna Philharmonic and the Royal Concertgebouw in the Netherlands, among others.

Ms Hanify said it was a show not to be missed.

The show starts at 7.30pm. Tickets are available from Ticketmaster, www.ticketmaster.co.nz.

For more information visit www.nzso.co.nz.