Eva Radich
The big names for the Auckland Writers Festival
New Zealand has been inundated with fantastic talent from around the world here for the various festivals on this month. The Auckland Writers Festival in May is also attracting some big names… Audio
Upbeat for Thursday 15 March
Auckland Writers Festival announces its programme for the May Festival; Jennifer Shennan reviews the Irish Swan Lake, but not as you know it and we bring you another concerto that you have to hear. We… Video
Voice and dance combine for Orpheus
The love story of Orpheus and Eurydice is at the heart of Michael Parmenter’s new opera ballet Orpheus, which brings a cast of 58 to the stage. We meet U.S.tenor Aaron Sheehan and Ex Wellington… Audio
Upbeat for Friday 9 March
We take a glimpse at the Readers and Writers fest; then we discover what opera ballet is, and did NZ Opera’s Tosca impress Christchurch crowds? We also play music that brings a smile to your dial.
Cultural Classical
Tonight's cultural ambassador is Eva Radich who has the details of RNZ Concert's schedule changes and a look at what's new in the classical music world. Audio
Nine acts not to miss at WOMAD 2018
RNZ Music's resident WOMAD aficionado and host of Worlds of Music,Trevor Reekie helps us discover how WOMAD 2018 will open up our minds and souls to diverse arrays of cultures, music and ideas. Video, Audio
King’s Singers 50 years young
The King’s Singers are celebrating 50 years with performances in Christchurch, Wellington and Auckland this week. The Grammy award winning choir is joined by Voices New Zealand, celebrating their 20th… Audio
The Manghi Villani Duo: a perfect synergy
A new duo makes its professional debut this week. Luca Manghi and Flavio Villani, Italian musicians now based in New Zealand, are giving three recitals playing music for piano and flute by Italian and… Audio
Upbeat for for Wednesday 28 Feb
We explore music that gives you chills, finds out how to time the firing of cannons to the 1812 Overture, Eva Radich speaks to a new duo giving recitals of Italian flute and piano music, and we…
Favourite daughter helps celebrate CSO’s 60th
The Christchurch Symphony Orchestra celebrates its 60th anniversary on Saturday. Violinist Natalia Lomeiko, who’s been a soloist with the CSO since she was seventeen, will play Bruch's romantic… Audio
Upbeat for Thursday 22 Feb
Today marks seven years since the devastating Christchurch Earthquake. We turn out attention to the Garden City, first celebrating the Christchurch Symphony Orchestra’s 60th anniversary with violinist…
Virtuosic Amalia Hall takes on a violinist’s challenge
Amalia Hall is playing all six of Ysaye's virtuosic solo violin sonatas this Saturday as part of the Auckland Fringe Festival. She plays some of her favourite music, talks about her solo work overseas… Audio
Upbeat for Wednesday 21 Feb
Hemingway comes to the New Zealand Festival with The Select (The Sun Also Rises). New York director John Collins explains how he’s bringing Hemingway’s world alive & violinist Amalia Hall plays her…
Composer John Young brings Spirit to CSO
Electroacoustic New Zealand composer John Young has written a fanfare to open the Christchurch Symphony Orchestra’s 60th birthday season on Saturday. His new work Spirit tells a true story of love and… Audio
Upbeat for Tuesday 20 Feb
Today is all about celebrating Kiwi composers. Pianist Stephen De Pledge brings alive seven pieces written by Kiwis inspired by Bach’s Partita & composer John Young’s new commission for the…
The Brothers Bubeníček find love in their ballet version of The Piano
Jiří and Otto Bubeníček talk about their ballet vision for the film The Piano. The new full-length work tells the story of Ada McGrath and her daughter Flora set to a score that depicts New Zealand’s… Audio
Upbeat for Thursday 15 Feb
French pianist Jean-Efflam Bavouzet discusses the composers who have influenced him, from Bartok and Beethoven in his youth to Debussy as an adult. Audio
Upbeat for Wednesday Feb 14
Film maker Reiner Moritz explores the life and times of composer, conductor and cultural politician Pierre Boulez. Audio
Opera’s such a drag…
Drag Queens combine with New Zealand Opera to celebrate the colourful and fascinating life of a legendary Aucklander Peter Taylor. Audio
Upbeat for Tuesday 13 Feb
Opera as you've never seen it with Stuart Maunder and Claire Scholes - and drag queens. And we look towards the 2018 NZO season featuring Tosca, Aida and everything in between.
