After a challenging and musically-restricted few years, Bay of Plenty Symphonia is delighted to be able to perform again to a capacity audience.

Come and join them for ‘Out of the Shadows'. This musical odyssey features a variety of international composers, eras and musical styles spanning more than 300 years.

It opens with Haydn's Overture ‘L'isla disabitata (The Desert Island)'. Composed in 1789, this tempestuous and dramatic piece is quite unlike Haydn's usual elegant style.

Remembering ‘Parihaka' is a short work by contemporary New Zealand composer, Anthony Ritchie.

It was inspired by the 1881 invasion of the pacifist settlement at Parihaka Pa in Taranaki. A slow, melodic, orchestral opening builds to a climax before returning to slow reflective sadness.

Kabalevsky's ‘Cello Concerto no 1 Op 48', written after World War WII, is the centrepiece of the concert. Against the melodic, lyrical backing of the orchestra, the cello literally ‘sings'.

Joining the symphonia for this lovely piece and a personal favourite is international cello soloist, Lev Sivkov.

By contrast is ‘Ocho por Radio' by 20th Century composer Silvestre Revueltas. This quirky, cheeky piece takes us on a short, rapid-fire, unmistakably Mexican, musical excursion.

The concert concludes with ‘Saint-Saëns – Symphony 2'. Written in 1868, this large-scale composition begins with slow, dark themes, followed by clever light-hearted ones. It builds in volume and momentum before rising to its tumultuous and satisfying conclusion.

With funding support from TECT, the orchestra has collaborated with Holy Trinity Church to buy portable staging to enable a bigger orchestra on-stage. They'll be use this for the first time at the July 10 concert.

The Weekend Sun has a double-pass to give away to the ‘Out of the Shadows' July 10 concert.

To enter, tell us who is the conductor of this concert?

Enter online at: www.sunlive.co.nz under the competition section. Entries must be received by midnight, Tuesday, June 21.