Whether you like to spend your Friday night with a glass of wine on the couch or soaking in some culture, tonight at 7.30pm you can combine the two, thanks to the New Zealand Symphony Orchestra.

The NZSO, led by Conductor Laureate Edo de Waart, performed Beethoven’s beloved Seventh Symphony to critical acclaim back in 2017, and tonight all Kiwis have the opportunity to enjoy the performance, no matter what alert level we may be at.

The performance described by critics as a “revelation” and “delightful” that left “the audience in wonderment at what they had heard and seen” will be streamed to the nation on Friday 14 August at 7.30pm. It is part of the NZSO’s popular Engage@Home series of streamed and live-streamed performances. It will be available to view at live.nzso.co.nz.

Symphony No. 7 is one of the Beethoven’s greatest works, with the captivating second movement one of his most recognisable and moving achievements. The symphony has been used in many films, including The King’s Speech and X-Men: Apocalypse.

The NZSO has presented many wonderful performances and special events for stream and live-stream since March, allowing both long-time music lovers and first-timers to enjoy the experience of a NZSO concert. Some of the performances are available on demand at live.nzso.co.nz if you happened to miss them the first time around. These include the recent live-streamed concerts Spirit, Goldberg Variations and Ngū Kīoro… Harikoa Ake – celebrating togetherness, the Bach series Sei Solo, Ryman Healthcare Presents Discovering Beethoven, the Shed Series concerts Heritage, Voice and Speed, and Play Our Part, featuring NZSO players and international guests performing in their homes.

So, Cityscapers, add a touch of fancy to your Friday and relax with the soothing sounds of the New Zealand Symphony Orchestra. You can even keep your slippers on, which makes it a win-win situation in our book.