This is a unique opportunity to take an entertaining and informative inside look at the world of conducting with retired international conductor, Stephen Estall. Stephen’s talk and demonstration with accompanying music will be peppered with witty and insightful anecdotes from his extensive career as a conductor of international renown. He is a wonderful raconteur. This will be an evening to enjoy and remember at a wonderful new venue in town, The Dish.

We look forward to seeing you.

Tickets for purchase through Eventfinda or 0800 BUY TIX (289 849): $35 or $25 (student / CSC). All tickets include a complimentary drink and shared nibbles platter.

STEPHEN ESTALL

Stephen was born in Christchurch and played the viola with the Christchurch Civic Orchestra and the New Zealand National Youth Orchestra while studying music at Canterbury University.

He had a fascination with conducting from his early teens, and after studying basic technique and conducting skills with John Hopkins and Professor John Ritchie, he set-sail for London in the mid-sixties, when he was twenty, for further training at the Guildhall School of Music and Drama.

In 1966, Stephen took part in the First International Conducting Course held in Santiago de Compostella, Spain, with the Spanish Radio Symphony Orchestra under the direction of the Ukrainian born conductor Igor Markevitch, where he was awarded a major prize.

Markevitch, one of the World's greatest conductors at the time, was also regarded as an outstanding teacher, known for his special courses in conducting at the Salzburg Mozarteum and at the Moscow Conservatorium. Stephen’s  tuition from Markevitch and his award at the completion of the course in Spain were the catalyst that opened his career into professional conducting.

Since that time, Stephen has worked with orchestras in Britain, Europe, and New Zealand where he first conducted the New Zealand Symphony Orchestra at the age of only twenty-three.

Thanks to Dish for sponsoring this event.

Image of The Dish - photo credit: See Through Windows Ltd