High Notes

In a career spanning over seventy years, musician Peter Averi was involved in many aspects of the arts in New Zealand and abroad. High Notes is a record of those years as a performer, conductor, broadcaster and arts administrator.

As a concert organist, he gave many recitals in New Zealand, Australia and the USA. His career in broadcasting, through its transitions from NZBS to NZBC and RNZ, culminated in twelve years as manager of the New Zealand Symphony Orchestra, during which he organised the first overseas tours.

Other activities included conducting operas, especially several years as musical director of the Wellington Gilbert and Sullivan Society. As artistic administrator at Wellington City Opera, he played a major role in the development of the company.

His special interest in encouraging young musicians involved adjudicating for many organisations, including the National Youth Orchestra, Mobil Song Quest, and Television Young Musicians competitions. Internationally, he was twice on the jury of the Gina Bachauer International Piano Competition and adjudicated at the Canadian National Music Competitions in Ottawa.

Now a nonagenarian, his recollections reveal much about the New Zealand musical scene and the many artists with whom he was associated.