DIONNE WARWICK TO REPLACE BURT BACHARACH ON NEW ZEALAND TOUR

The New Zealand Symphony Orchestra has contracted legendary American singer, Dionne Warwick to replace Burt Bacharach who broke his collar bone over the holiday period and has had to withdraw from his New Zealand tour. Multi-Grammy award winner, Warwick has moved generations of audiences. The Guardian newspaper wrote of a London concert last month "The music is wonderful. Her rich, woody voice has deepened with age, lending a splendidly full-bodied finish to everything from Anyone Who Had a Heart to 1980s charity-belter That's What Friends Are For." NZSO Chief Executive, Peter Walls, said, "While it is disappointing that Burt Bacharach cannot travel to New Zealand, Dionne Warwick is a spectacular replacement. Her concerts will cause a huge amount of excitement." Warwick last performed in New Zealand in 1995 at the Mission Vineyard concert and more recently has performed with Kiwi Lucy Lawless (Xena, Warrior Princess) in the hit American TV show Celebrity Duets. Because of other scheduled concerts in the United States, Dionne Warwick's first concert in New Zealand will be in Christchurch on January 30.