Five Lines is a collection of writings about music in Aotearoa New Zealand by Elizabeth Kerr. It features short articles, artist profiles and reviews of concerts, operas and albums. You can subscribe - it’s free - at the bottom of any story.
NZSO Arias: operatic ‘greatest hits’ offers many pleasures
NZSO’s Arias concert delivered exactly what it promised - Puccini’s most popular arias, superbly sung by soprano Eliza Boom and tenor Paul O’Neill, with sensitive accompaniment by the NZSO under José Luis Gómez.
Calefax in Aotearoa: colourful conversations with reeds
Netherlands reed quintet Calefax delighted the audience on its current tour of New Zealand with impeccable, characterful and musicianly playing of music across four centuries.
TOWARDS MIDNIGHT: Percussionist Justin DeHart explores our unknown future
Percussionist Justin DeHart worked with five New Zealand composers for his second Rattle volume of New Zealand percussion music, TOWARDS MIDNIGHT.
Wellington Opera’s Tosca: brilliant casting and gripping pace
Wellington Opera's production of Puccini's Tosca pleased its opening night audience with a brilliant, all-New Zealand cast of singers, gripping momentum and a versatile, stylish design.
Composer Lyell Cresswell: truth, lies and a brilliant Piano Concerto
Stephen De Pledge is preparing to premiere Lyell Cresswell's final work, his Piano Concerto No 3, with the NZSO in four New Zealand cities. The composer's quirky autobiography will be launched before each concert.
Orpheus Choir and Haydn’s The Creation: fine singing and radiant music
Orpheus Choir Wellington provided a welcome opportunity to experience Haydn's The Creation, a work the composer and others believed was one of his greatest masterpieces.
From Scratch @ 50: 625 MOONS
The iconic New Zealand percussion ensemble From Scratch is celebrating its 50th birthday with a month-long residency.
NZSO Immerse: Vengerov plays Sibelius
Violinist Maxim Vengerov’s Sibelius Violin Concerto was a highlight of the NZSO’s Immerse Festival, under the sensitive baton of André de Ridder.
Somi Kim’s Pictures: virtuosity on full display
Somi Kim’s new album Pictures at an Exhibition pairs Mussorgsky’s piano masterpiece with a new work, Aotearoa Pictures, by New Zealand composer Janet Jennings.
STROMA: playing with light and colour
An imaginative, superbly played programme from new music ensemble STROMA shows the group is an essential part of our musical fabric.
Suite Aotearoa: magic woven from our natural world
Pianist Sharon Joy Vogan conceived, commissioned and performed the new works for the magical album, Suite Aotearoa, collaborating with taonga pūoro specialist Horomona Horo.
New Zealand piano music: walking with the birds
Pianist Jian Liu’s playing on his new 3-disc album of New Zealand piano music is lyrical and luminous, and full of respect for the music.
Orchestra Wellington and Marc Taddei: a story that ends in triumph
Orchestra Wellington and conductor Marc Taddei offered Beethoven’s triumphant 9th Symphony in a programme with context, novelty, and brilliance.
NZSO National Youth Orchestra: an exuberant musical showcase
The NZSO National Youth Orchestra, conducted by Tianyi Lu, offered a feast of exciting young talent, including dazzling piano prodigy Shan Liu
NZ Opera’s Le Comte Ory: a comedy of disguises
NZ Opera’s production of Rossini’s Le Comte Ory is a highly entertaining night at the opera for both seasoned opera-goers and those new to the art form.
Pianist Jian Liu: a way of living through music
Pianist Jian Liu is having a busy 2024, but his career from China to New Zealand via America has prepared him for this life in music.
NZSO: large and small ensembles on the road
The NZSO is on tour with its Setting up Camp project and programmes for full orchestra and string quartet.
NZSO’s Tchaikovsky 5: Han-Na Chang’s passionate empathy
Conductor Han-Na Chang brought her insight into Tchaikovsky’s inner turmoil to a splendid performance of his 5th Symphony.
NZ Trio: unquiet dreams, musical arguments and a wild ride
In a typically adventurous touring programme, NZ Trio has introduced audiences to the astonishing New York-based composer Lera Auerbach.
Cellist Matthias Balzat: representing the music with an open heart
Cellist Matthias Balzat is returning to New Zealand for a concert tour, including three concerto appearances with Opus Orchestra. He talked to Five Lines about his musical upbringing.