The New Zealand Symphony Orchestra (NZSO) will perform live for audiences this week in a series of concerts designed for audiences of up to 100.

The seven free special concerts will take place at the Public Trust Hall on Lambton Quay in Wellington from tomorrow.

The NZSO had to cancel their North Island Art of the Fugue tour this month due to Covid-19 restrictions.

He also postponed his sold-out 75th anniversary concert at Wellington’s 2,000-seat Michael Fowler Center until later this year.

Under the red setting of the traffic light system, the orchestra is permitted to perform live with an audience of up to 100 people. Everyone present must be vaccinated, maintain social distancing and are encouraged to wear masks.

Heavy blows were dealt to the capital’s art scene last week with the cancellation of the Homegrown and CubaDupa festivals.

However, the NZ Fringe Festival is continuing with small venues, reduced capacities and other measures to help ensure audiences and performers can all participate safely.

NZSO’s concert series, Daily Catch, will include works by Bach, Haydn, Mozart and New Zealand composer Douglas Lilburn. The program changes with each concert and the works to be performed are announced each evening.

Admission is free, but tickets are compulsory and they were all sold out quickly, except for the seventh concert which will be online soon.

NZSO chief executive Peter Biggs said the orchestra is committed to continuing to present live music in a way that ensures the safety of players and members of the public.

“Our players love nothing more than performing in front of a live audience and they were eager to research other ways to perform live under the red backdrop. We also knew that audiences were just as eager for a evening where they could enjoy their national orchestra live during our 75th anniversary year.

“The Daily Catch concert series allows the public to experience the NZSO live and feel safe. This will be the first time we have teamed up and performed at the Public Trust Hall which is a fantastic venue for music live and where the audience can comfortably maintain social distancing.”