Bay of Plenty Symphonia's first 2023 concert programme is something very different – an orchestral concert with a world-acclaimed accordion soloist.

‘Concertina!' will be presented in Rotorua on May 6 at St John's Church – and in Tauranga on May 7 at Holy Trinity Church.

BOP Symphonia secretary Pauline Logger says with ‘Concertina!' the mood is light and festive with lots of variety – including the world premiere of a specially commissioned work.

'Rossini's sparkling overture ‘The Italian Girl in Algiers' opens the programme with a flourish, followed by the tranquillity of Honneger's ‘Summer Pastorale'.

'Our accordion soloist is Aucklander Grayson Masefield – a triple world champion who tours internationally to perform and adjudicate. He'll perform three pieces with the orchestra – two in nuevo tango style, and a new work by Kiwi composer Ross Harris.” Ross is an accordionist – 'so expect something exciting for this instrument!” Thanks to a bequest, BOP Symphonia has commissioned his ‘Introduction and Allegro', for Grayson to perform.

Hear it first!

'In fact, Tauranga and Rotorua audiences will be the first in the world to hear it!”

Contrasting works include Fauré's famous ‘Pavane', and Kurt Weill's ‘Little Threepenny Music'. 'Our conductor Justus Rozemond has specially arranged Weill's music for orchestra,” says Pauline.

‘Concertina!' is Saturday May 6, at 3.30pm at St John's Church, Rotorua; and Sunday, May 7, at 3pm at Holy Trinity Church, Tauranga.

Adult tickets: $20 plus booking fee; under-18s are free. Book tickets at: www.eventfinda.co.nz Phone 0800 BUY TIX (289 849) or visit Tauranga isite. Door sales available. Thanks to BOP Symphonia, The Sun has two tickets to Tauranga's ‘Concertina!' to give away to one reader who tells us which accordion soloist will perform? Enter online at www.sunlive.co.nz in the competition section by April 25.