7 Apr 2023

Benee live with the New Zealand Symphony Orchestra

From Music Alive, 6:00 pm on 7 April 2023
Benee and the New Zealand Symphony Orchestra performing live at the Micheal Fowler Centre, Wellington, New Zealand.

Benee and the New Zealand Symphony Orchestra performing live at the Micheal Fowler Centre, Wellington, New Zealand. Photo: Kenzie Pigman

Pop star Benee joins with the New Zealand Symphony Orchestra for a spectacular show that brings her award-winning songs to life in an amazing new symphonic setting.

Accompanied by the 66-piece orchestra, Benee's own band and guest vocalists, the rising star of New Zealand music shines delivering new arrangements of her platinum hits like ‘Glitter’, ‘Soaked’ and the worldwide smash ‘Supalonely' as arranged by Claire Cowan, and conducted by Brent Stewart.

“I’m so stoked to be playing with the NZSO and APO!! Adding 66 super talented musicians to the band is going to be something else,” says Benee. “I can’t wait to hear and play some crazy different versions of my songs.”

The songs are:

  • Happen To Me: Music Benee; Arranged Claire Cowan
  • Glitter: Music Benee; Arranged Claire Cowan
  • Find An Island: Song by Benee; Arranged Claire Cowan
  • Same Effect: Music Benee; Arranged Claire Cowan & Andreas Häberlin
  • Night Garden: Song by Benee; Arranged Claire Cowan
  • Soaked: Song by Benee; Arranged Claire Cowan & Andreas Häberlin
  • Sheesh: Music Benee; Arranged Claire Cowan
  • Mile High: Music James Blake; Arranged Claire Cowan & Andreas Häberlin
  • CU: Song by Benee; Arranged Claire Cowan
  • Blu: Song by Benee; Arranged Claire Cowan
  • Back To Black: Amy Winehouse; Arranged Claire Cowan & Andreas Häberlin
  • Snail: Music Benee; Arranged Claire Cowan
  • Supalonely: Song by Benee; Arranged Claire Cowan

After releasing her debut album Hey U X! at the end of 2020, this is an exciting moment for 21-year-old Stella Bennett as she continues her eclectic musical journey. Benee’s songs have been freshly arranged into unique orchestral settings by Cowan, a leading light on the New Zealand composition scene, making an enticing musical treat for fans of both her music and orchestra.

"The diversity of styles and the depth and detail of production in Benee's songs are an exciting challenge to re-imagine,” says Cowan. “We’ve gone the full spectrum from Disney to James Bond to 90's trip-hop treatments to give the audience a really dynamic show full of surprises."

NZSO chief executive Peter Biggs says “Benee is a gifted songwriter and performer and we’re excited at what we can create together on stage, and for new audiences to experience the NZSO.”

Recorded and produced by Darryl Stack for RNZ Concert.

Benee and the New Zealand Symphony Orchestra performing live at the Micheal Fowler Centre, Wellington, New Zealand.

Benee and the New Zealand Symphony Orchestra performing live at the Micheal Fowler Centre, Wellington, New Zealand. Photo: Kenzie Pigman

Graphic advertising: Benee and the NZSO Michael Fowler Centre, Friday 30 and Saturday 31 July (2021)

Photo: NZSO

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