Candlelight Orchestra: Best of Joe Hisaishi and More

Overview

If you have a trip to Japan to check out Studio Ghibli's new theme park on your 2023 bucket list, you're not alone. But in the meantime, you can be mentally spirited away right here in Tāmaki Makaurau, when the Candlelight Orchestra performs some of the studio's most iconic tracks across the upcoming evening, The Best of Joe Hisaishi and More.

Does that name sound unfamiliar? It shouldn't be — the composer is best known as the main musical associate of the Studio Ghibli film studio, having scored most of Hayao Miyazaki's animated films. No one can tell an enchanting tale like the masterful filmmaker — but, no one can make melodic music to match like Joe Hisaishi.

First collaborating with Miyazaki on 1984s Nausicaä of the Valley of the Wind, the composer has provided the score to every one of the director's features since then, spanning everything from My Neighbour Totoro and Spirited Away to Ponyo and Kiki's Delivery Service. That's quite the collection of moving movie music, and it's coming to Auckland's SkyCity Theatre for two candle-lit performances on Saturday, February 11 — the first at 6.30pm and the second at 8.30pm.

Bringing the tunes to life will be the Kulios Candlelight Ensemble, with Australian conductor Graeme Press at the helm. Tickets start at $75pp and can be snapped up now.