Review

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

The New opera The Bone Feeder opened last night to a full house, but was it a success? English, Cantonese and Māori languages intertwine reflecting the story of a young New Zealand Chinese man trying… Audio

Classical purists might not enjoy it, but the crowd at last night’s L’Arpeggiata concert soaked it in. Peter Hoar reviews the performance, as part of the Auckland Arts Festival, by the European group… Audio

Cloud Gate Dance Company’s RICE has been a much anticipated work at Auckland Arts Festival 2017. But did it live up to expectations? Dione Joseph describes “visionary” choreographer Lin Hwai-Min’s… Audio

Warm, humourous and delicate is how Peter Hoar describes violinist Chloe Hanslip’s performance of Mozart’s Violin Concerto no. 5 with the Auckland Philharmonia Orchestra. But how did the rest of the… Audio

New Zealand Opera’s The Mikado has stirred up debate about cultural appropriation since it opened this week in Auckland. For reviewer Frances Moore,the production was a game of two halves - and not… Audio

The Adam Chamber Music Festival has brought interesting and varied performers and pieces to Nelson, but did it live up to the hype? Elizabeth Kerr reviews a number of performances, including… Audio

Ahead of her much-anticipated second album, Aldous Harding played the second concert of a brief New Zealand tour at Wellington’s San Fran. Nick Bollinger looks and listens. Gallery

Polly Harvey and her nine-piece band delivered a spellbinding performance at Auckland's Logan Campbell Centre last night. Tony Stamp reports back. Video, Gallery

Rock music's 'Prince of Darkness' Nick Cave performed with his long-serving band The Bad Seeds at Wellington's TSB Arena last night. RNZ Music's Kirsten Johnstone reports back. Video, Audio

After viewing the opening ceremony of the Rio Olympics, William Dart checks out the great Brazilian musicians featured there: Paulinho da Viola, Caetano Veloso, Gilberto Gil and Elza Soares. Audio

It's the season to be drilling and we're testing electric drills with George Block of consumer.org.nz. So how much do you need to spend to get a decent electric drill? We'll find out which brands get… Audio