This week, the media highlighted Gemma New’s appointment as the Artistic Advisor and Principal Conductor of the New Zealand Symphony Orchestra.
Scoop: “New Zealander Gemma New, in demand by orchestras around the world, has been appointed Artistic Advisor and Principal Conductor of the New Zealand Symphony Orchestra Te Tira Pūoro o Aotearoa. Her title takes immediate effect with the start of the 2022 season and lasts for three years, through the 2024 season. made her NZSO debut in 2020 to critical acclaim. The New Zealand Herald said the audience were on the edge of their seats, captivated by her ‘exquisitely finessed’ conducting.”
Radio New Zealand: “The first New Zealander, and the first woman to hold that position within our national orchestra.”
Stuff: “Plug Gemma New’s name into your search engine and it quickly becomes apparent she isn't someone given to lying about the house. You’ll find dozens of outstanding reviews, awards, and profiles of the New Zealander hailed as a rising star in the orchestral world. Currently, she’s the music director of Canada’s Hamilton Philharmonic Orchestra and principal guest conductor of the Dallas Symphony Orchestra.”
Scoop: “The position is the first of its kind for a New Zealand orchestra and the first time in the NZSO’s history a woman has held a principal conductor position. Gemma’s appointment takes immediate effect with the start of the 2022 season and will last for three years. In August this year, she will conduct three back-to-back concerts in Wellington and Auckland as part of the NZSO’s winter festival, followed in November by Mozart’s monumental Requiem. In 2023, she will lead the NZSO in Auckland, Wellington and other centres, including Christchurch, Napier and Tauranga.”
Sunlive: “As a senior member of the NZSO’s artistic team, New will conduct a wide range of programmes with the Orchestra, perform in several New Zealand centres, advise closely on the direction of programming, projects, collaborations and contribute to other artistic matters for the Orchestra.”
Classical Music: “Gemma New has become the first woman in the history of the New Zealand Symphony Orchestra Te Tira Pūoro o Aotearoa (NZSO) to hold a principal conductor position. New has been appointed artistic advisor and principal conductor of the orchestra and will take the role immediately, holding the position for a period of three years. The combined conductor-advisor position is the first of its kind for a New Zealand orchestra. In this new role, New will conduct programmes, performing across New Zealand, and advise the Orchestra on decisions including programming, projects, and collaborations.”
Slipped Disc: “The New Zealand Symphony Orchestra has appointed Gemma New as its next principal conductor, starting immediately. Gemma, 35, has a three-year contract. A New Zealand citizen, she is presently Music Director of Canada’s Hamilton Philharmonic Orchestra and Principal Guest Conductor of the Dallas Symphony Orchestra.”
The Violin Channel: “In 2022, the NZSO's 75th anniversary year, New will conduct three back-to-back concerts in Wellington and Auckland with multi-Grammy Award-winning American violinist Hilary Hahn as part of the NZSO’s winter festival in August, followed in November by Mozart’s monumental Requiem in a program also featuring New Zealand composer John Psathas’ Seikilos.”
