Review

New Zealand loves Khalid. Like, really loves him. When the R&B singer announced his show in August, at the respectably-sized venue of the Auckland Town Hall, promoters were caught off guard when the…

Lyell Cresswell’s new piano concerto was premiered last week by Michael Houstoun and the Auckland Philharmonia Orchestra. The programme also featured Elgar and Prokofiev. Peter Hoar discusses whether… Audio

The Auckland Philharmonia Orchestra was taken in a new direction by conductor Andre de Ridder and violinist Robert McDuffie, both appearing in NZ for the first time. Reviewer Peter Hoar suggests it… Audio

Vivacious American wind quintet Imani Winds conclude the Chamber Music New Zealand 2017 season. Peter Mechen attended their performance at the Michael Fowler Centre last night, which featured works… Audio

Considered to be one the great sets of variations, the Diabelli Variations are widely heralded as among the finest works for solo piano ever written. Following the monumental set of the complete… Audio

New Zealand Opera’s final production of 2017, Janacek’s Katya Kabanova, opened in Auckland this weekend. It follows house wife Katya, who is expected to stay at home and obey her husband and cruel… Audio

Orchestra Wellington’s Invitation to the Dance concert on Saturday continued Music Director Marc Taddei’s focus on Ballet’s Russes impresario Sergei Diaghilev’s commissions with several waltzes by… Audio

The UK beat-maker played an extravagant first-ever NZ concert last night, replete with string and brass sections. Tony Stamp was there.

Hollie Fullbrook's Tiny Ruins won over a warm crowd in Paekakariki on Friday night, with a preview of songs from her forthcoming album alongside older favourites. Rebecca Hunter says Hollie is "wired…

Three highly talented young violinists took the stage at the Auckland Town Hall to compete for the top prize at the Michael Hill International Violin Competition. Peter Hoar was in the crowd listening… Audio

The billboards say “if you haven’t seen Carmen, it’s a tragedy”. New Zealand Opera’s Carmen opened last night in Wellington. Christine Argyle reviews this production of Bizet’s opera directed by Lindy… Audio

Maestro Masaaki Suzuki and Juilliard 415 are touring the country as part of the Chamber Music New Zealand tour. They played an entirely Bach programme at Wellington’s Michael Fowler on Tuesday…

Singaporean Darrell Ang is back conducting the NZSO after their Naxos recording was nominated for a Grammy Award last year. Elizabeth Kerr reviews Pathétique – Tchaikovsky & Dvořák which features… Audio

Highly regarded Scandinavian cellist Torleif Thedéen made his Christchurch Symphony Orchestra debut on Saturday night, performing Shostakovich’s Cello Concerto No 1. Tony Ryan reviews the concert that… Audio

A technology malfunction brought effervescent choreographer Alexander Ekman on stage unexpectedly early on opening night of the Royal New Zealand Ballet’s Three by Ekman. Reviewer Jennifer Shennan was… Audio

Peter Mechen reviews Orchestra Wellington’s opening concert for 2017, Firebird. The programme featured great early works by not just Stravinsky but also Beethoven’s first symphony and the premiere of… Audio

Elizabeth Kerr reviews visiting British pianist Kathryn Stott and the New Zealand String Quartet. The Chamber Music New Zealand Tour visited Wellington’s Michael Fowler Centre last night, with a… Audio

Iranian-American harpsichordist Mahan Esfahani made his New Zealand debut last night performing Poulenc's Concert Champêtre (Pastoral Concerto) with the Auckland Philharmonia Orchestra. Reviewer Peter… Audio

Last night Canterbury University's new Head of Performance, Mark Menzies, with two American musical colleagues; cellist Erika Duke-Kirkpatrick and bassoonist Julie Feves, performed a programme of… Audio