Upbeat

It’s that time of year again, when some of the best rising stars compete for the National Concerto Competition. Read more

Justin Gregory reviews the new look Giselle, Lynn Freeman faces the hard truths in Bless The Child, Tim Dodd explores how Phil Dadson is starting From Scratch & we celebrate past Concerto competition… Read more

Tony Ryan looks at the first in this year’s Christopher’s Classics chamber music series at The Piano, with violinist Natalia Lomeiko and pianist Kirsten Robertson in action. Having just heard Lomeiko… Read more Audio

Australia’s Orava Quartet makes its New Zealand debut today. The four young men have close family connections which means they don’t hold back in rehearsals. Brothers Daniel and Karol Kowalik, with… Read more Audio

Upbeat listeners shared the music that brings on the chills. Read more Video

It’s autumn and St David’s Day. We have a selection of music to see in the new season, along with a new release of Beethoven’s piano sonatas and discover who the first transgendered leading operatic… Read more

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… Read more Audio

The 1812 Overture is being performed with real cannons this weekend in Porirua. How do you get the timing right and do they use real cannon balls? Gunner from the Wellington Cannon Society explains… Read more Audio

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… Read more

Failing health, euthanasia and family trying to get their hands on inheritance permeate the retelling of William Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet. Adapted by Geraldine Brophy, with a score composed by… Read more Audio

The Royal New Zealand Ballet’s take on Jane Campion’s iconic film The Piano opened in Wellington on Friday. Jennifer Shennan asks whether the stage adaptation into a full length ballet works is a… Read more Audio

A collaboration between the long established European group and a six member ensemble from Mexico.Jordi Savall and Hesperion 21 with Tembembe Ensamble Continuo concert at the Michael Fowler Centre… Read more