Prime TV has announced it is due to air a documentary programme about the NZSO's biggest and most successful international tour of its history.

The Grand Tour: Jeremy Wells with the NZSO will air on Sunday 31 July at 8.40pm on the free-to-air channel Prime TV.

Television personality Jeremy Wells and a production crew joined the orchestra in October last year as the NZSO toured four European countries over three demanding weeks. The tour began with a one-off performance at the Shanghai World Expo, with eleven subsequent concerts in Germany, Slovenia, Switzerland and Austria. International violin star Hilary Hahn joined the NZSO as guest soloist on the European leg of the tour.

The tour was a critical and artistic success, with the pinnacle being the NZSO's triumphant performance in Vienna's hallowed Musikverein, one of Europe's most prestigious concert halls.

Speaking in November at the end of the tour in Hamburg, Jeremy Wells said New Zealanders would be surprised at what the NZSO had achieved in Europe.

Spending three weeks up close and personal with the orchestra on every bus and plane, in each hotel and at every performance, had resulted in new friendships with the musicians.

“I’m pleased with that because I like dropping names in polite dinner conversation. These guys are really clever people. Except the percussion guys.”

The documentary was produced by Perendale for Prime TV and funded by New Zealand on Air.

Prime Presents: The Grand Tour: Jeremy Wells with the NZSO airs at 8.40pm on Sunday 31 July.