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Thomas Atkins and Marlena Devoe are memorable as the doomed lovers Rodolfo and Mimi in La boheme. Photo / David Rowland

ENTERTAINMENT

Opera review: La boheme not to be missed

17 Sep, 2018 5:00am
2 minutes to read

Poignancy and pathos perfectly balanced in must-see La boheme, writes William Dart.

Conductor Hamish McKeich. Photo / Supplied

ENTERTAINMENT

Plenty to love in Classical Hits

10 Sep, 2018 5:00am
2 minutes to read

The New Zealand Symphony Orchestra takes the show on the road.

NZSO music director Edo de Waart. Photo / Stephen A'Court

ENTERTAINMENT

Stravinsky and Rachmaninov in NZSO duet

31 Aug, 2018 5:00am
2 minutes to read

William Dart sings the praises of NZ Symphony Orchestra's Edo de Waart.

Madison Nonoa, above, and Filipe Manu impressed as the star-crossed lovers.

ENTERTAINMENT

Romeo and Juliet tale fast-paced and thrilling

27 Aug, 2018 5:00am
2 minutes to read

Story of star-crossed lovers told with emotional urgency and exquisite singing.

Auckland Chamber Orchestra paid homage to composer John Elmsly in its latest concert.

ENTERTAINMENT

Classical review: Memorable insights into John Elmsly's musical world

15 Aug, 2018 5:00am
2 minutes to read

Musical world of composer John Elmsly revealed by Auckland Chamber Orchestra.

Pianist Henry Wong Doe ably coped with the challenges of Rachmaninov's Second Piano Concerto.

ENTERTAINMENT

Review: Rachmaninov Piano Concerto 2, APO

13 Aug, 2018 5:00am
2 minutes to read

Pianist Henry Wong Doe soars with Rachmaninov's popular Second Piano Concerto.

ENTERTAINMENT

Best of Quest our stars of tomorrow

30 Jul, 2018 5:00am
2 minutes to read

Lexus Song Quest has a special place in our musical calendar and ongoing cultural history.

Spanish conductor Jaime Martin and the NZSO acknowledge the audience in Palmerston North on Friday. Photo / Supplied

ENTERTAINMENT

Jaime Martin, NZSO deliver symphonic feast

23 Jul, 2018 5:00am
2 minutes to read

Jaime Martin and NZSO have fun with Shostakovich's Festive Overture, writes William Dart.

Maria Luigia Borsi portrayed a vulnerable Aida.

ENTERTAINMENT

Aida an entertaining night at the opera

23 Jul, 2018 5:00am
2 minutes to read

Antonello Palombi won hearts with his rapturous "Celeste Aida", writes William Dart.

ENTERTAINMENT

Bellincampi serves up delectable slice of Danish

16 Jul, 2018 5:00am
2 minutes to read

Giordano Bellincampi launched APO's Beethoven 7 concert with a welcome taste of Danish.

Conductor Miguel Harth-Bedoya. Photo / Supplied

ENTERTAINMENT

Curious fare from Harth-Bedoya

2 Jul, 2018 5:00am
2 minutes to read

NZSO and conductor Harth-Bedoya came to town with a curious (and rather short) programme.

Violinist Stefan Jackiw. Photo/Sophie Zhai

ENTERTAINMENT

Classical review: NZ Symphony Orchestra

27 Jun, 2018 5:00am
2 minutes to read

The evening was entitled Brahms & Tchaikovsky, but NZ composer Gareth Farr shone.

The Heath Quartet (from left) Chris Murray, Oliver Heath, Sara Wolstenholme and Gary Pomperoy.

ENTERTAINMENT

Chamber music at divine best

25 Jun, 2018 5:00am
2 minutes to read

The programme opened with three chorale preludes from Bach's Orgel-buchlein.

Austrian clarinetist Andreas Ottensamer. Photo / Supplied via Facebook

ENTERTAINMENT

Austrian clarinetist ultimate in cool

25 Jun, 2018 5:00am
2 minutes to read

Weber's F minor concerto might have been written to showcase this man's talent for lithe.

The music of local composer Helen Bowater featured in Auckland Chamber Orchestra's most recent composer portrait concert.

ENTERTAINMENT

Classical review: Auckland Chamber Orchestra

20 Jun, 2018 1:00pm
2 minutes to read

Auckland Chamber Orchestra captures those who catch the spirit of NZ in music. music.

Simon O'Neill let every note soar above the orchestra. Photo / Stephen Parker

ENTERTAINMENT

NZSO review: O'Neill is our dream Heldentenor

11 Jun, 2018 5:00am
2 minutes to read

From mysterious opening horn call to colourful string textures, this was NZSO in top form.

Morgan Pearse (Belcore) is greeted by Amina Edris (Adina) in a dazzling scene from The Elixir of Love. Photo/Simon Watts.

ENTERTAINMENT

Opera review: The Elixir of Love works its magic

1 Jun, 2018 4:00pm
2 minutes to read

NZ Opera's The Elixir of Love is first-class entertainment, writes William Dart.

Mezzo-soprano Bianca Andrew shone during Chamber New Zealand's most recent performance.

ENTERTAINMENT

Classical review: Chamber Music NZ

22 May, 2018 5:45pm
2 minutes to read

Chamber Music NZ join renowned US critic and stunning soloists on brave new venture.

Gemma New is a young New Zealander making a mark in North America. Photo / 123RF

ENTERTAINMENT

Conductor making her mark in US

21 May, 2018 5:00am
2 minutes to read

Overture: Aotearoa launches with one of the first of three women conductors this season.

Cellist Li-Wei Qin, a crowd favourite, returned to the Auckland Philharmonia Orchestra to perform in The Planets.

ENTERTAINMENT

Classical review: APO soars high for The Planets tribute

15 May, 2018 1:00pm
2 minutes to read

The music of the spheres took centre stage at glittering APO performance.

Phantasm (clockwise from left) Markku Luolajan-Mikkola, Laurence Dreyfus, Joanthan Manson and Emilia Benjamin provided an immersive concert experience.

ENTERTAINMENT

Classical review: Phantasm works it magic on town hall crowd

2 May, 2018 5:00am
2 minutes to read

Reviewer William Dart delights in power of historic music group to move audiences.

Grammy Award-winning singer Sasha Cooke's NZSO performance will rate as one of the best of 2018.

ENTERTAINMENT

Classical review: NZSO Masterworks

24 Apr, 2018 5:00am
2 minutes to read

It's April but NZSO concert sees one of the year's best performances, says William Dart.

The APO performs NZ composer Ross Harris's new work, Face.

ENTERTAINMENT

Enigma concert fills the house

23 Apr, 2018 5:00am
2 minutes to read

One sensed justifiable pride when APO CEO announced Enigma concert had drawn a full house.

Composer Anthony Ritchie says his Gallipoli to the Somme is quietly anti-war.

ENTERTAINMENT

Choral review: Gallipoli to the Somme

17 Apr, 2018 10:30am
2 minutes to read

The choral work Gallipoli to the Somme is a fine addition to NZ works inspired by WWI.

Pianist Ingrid Fliter. Photo / Susie Ahlburg

ENTERTAINMENT

Classical review: APO - A night of firsts

16 Apr, 2018 5:00am
2 minutes to read

APO's international commission a first time success, writes William Dart

US-based Dutch conductor Edo de Waart. Photo / Mark Mitchell

ENTERTAINMENT

Mozart-Mahler mix NZSO winner

9 Apr, 2018 5:00am
2 minutes to read

The unruffled classicism is an effective foil for the emotions of Mahler's Symphony.

Nicholas Forbes was in fine voice during Voices New Zealand Chamber Choir's Sonic Silos performance. Photo / Calvin Baker

ENTERTAINMENT

Music review: Voices NZ Chamber Choir

28 Mar, 2018 1:30pm
2 minutes to read

Voices New Zealand Chamber Choir's sonic silo a seductive experience, says William Dart.

Candide is the ultimate ill-fated operetta.

ENTERTAINMENT

Review: Sparkle aplenty in festival finale

26 Mar, 2018 5:00am
2 minutes to read

Auckland Arts Festival could not have wished for a more festive finale.

None of the many revisitings of The Four Seasons has been as extreme as Max Richter's.

ENTERTAINMENT

Max Richter's radical take on Vivaldi

20 Mar, 2018 5:00am
2 minutes to read

No revisiting has been anywhere near as radical as Richter's.

Phil Dadson, artist/musician, leads From Scratch's much-anticipated return. New Zealand Herald Photograph: Michael Craig.

ENTERTAINMENT

Music review: From Scratch in good heart

16 Mar, 2018 5:00am
2 minutes to read

Avant-garde ensemble From Scratch take fans on a trip to savour, writes William Dart.

The King's Singers bring vocal sheen and expertise to their music. Photo: Marco Borggreve

ENTERTAINMENT

Classical review: The King's Singers rule supreme

13 Mar, 2018 5:00am
2 minutes to read

Classiest of boy bands shows how pop anthems become secular anthems, writes William Dart

Veronika Eberle perforrmed composer Schumann's 1853 violin concerto with the APO for its Love Letters concert.

ENTERTAINMENT

APO's Love letters of musical wonders

26 Feb, 2018 5:00am
2 minutes to read

Irresistible songs of sunlight, sky and life make for magical evening, writes William Dart

Music director Giordano Bellincampi's stamp was all over the APO's 2018 opening concert, Bellincampi Bavouzet Beethoven. Photo: Adrian Malloch

ENTERTAINMENT

Classical review: APO opens 2018 season in style

19 Feb, 2018 5:00am
2 minutes to read

Auckland Philharmonia Orchestra ushers in 2018 with a rousing start, says William Dart.

Conductor Uwe Grodd led Auckland Choral's Messiah, praising the power of music to bring people together.

ENTERTAINMENT

Concert year ends with rousing send-off

22 Dec, 2017 11:48am
2 minutes to read

Auckland Choral's Messiah thrilling end to 2017 classical concert year, says William Dart.

ENTERTAINMENT

Thrills and chills at APO year-ender

19 Dec, 2017 5:00am
2 minutes to read

William Dart reviews Auckland Philharmonia Orchestra's Celebrate Christmas.

William Dart names his top 10 classical CDs of 2017.

ENTERTAINMENT

William Dart picks his top 10 classical CDs of 2017

18 Dec, 2017 5:00am
4 minutes to read

William Dart rounds up his top classical music CDs for 2017 in time for Xmas gift buying.

Soprano Madeleine Pierard celebrates Christmas with the APO this weekend.

ENTERTAINMENT

Christmas concerts bring acclaimed soprano home

13 Dec, 2017 5:00am
3 minutes to read

Promise of family Christmas brings soprano Madeleine Pierard home to perform with the APO.

Solosist Luca Manghi impressed in Bach Musica NZ's final concert of 2017

ENTERTAINMENT

Classical review: Bach Musica NZ

12 Dec, 2017 5:00am
2 minutes to read

Bach Musica NZ ends a successful 2017 with concert of pleasing delights, says William Dart

Debussy: Sonatas and Piano Trio (Rattle, through Ode Records)

ENTERTAINMENT

William Dart reviews latest classical CDs

9 Dec, 2017 5:00am
3 minutes to read

Music by Debussy and Wagner shows the strength of Kiwi musicians, says William Dart.

ENTERTAINMENT

Wonderfully edgy doom on dark side

28 Nov, 2017 5:00am
2 minutes to read

William Dart reviews Auckland Chamber Orchestra's final concert of the year.

Requiem for the Fallen (Atoll, through Ode Records)

ENTERTAINMENT

William Dart reviews the latest classical CDs

25 Nov, 2017 5:00am
2 minutes to read

Requiem for the Fallen, superb choral tribute to Kiwi sacrifices on European battlefields.

Viva Voce has been entertaining Aucklanders for 30 years.

ENTERTAINMENT

Classical review: Viva Voce

22 Nov, 2017 5:00am
2 minutes to read

Auckland-based chamber choir Viva Voce continues its fine form, writes William Dart

Conductor Giordano Bellincampi. Photo / Supplied

ENTERTAINMENT

Review: Mahler riches crown series finale

20 Nov, 2017 5:00am
2 minutes to read

Sprightly tunes and triple-time ingenuity offering a piquant preview of Mahler yet to come

Evgeny Kissin: Beethoven (Deutsche Grammophon)

ENTERTAINMENT

William Dart reviews the latest classical CDs

18 Nov, 2017 5:00am
2 minutes to read

Russian pianist makes an eccentric return to Deutsche Grammophon fold, says William Dart.

ENTERTAINMENT

Classical review: NZSO farewells 2017 in style

16 Nov, 2017 10:33am
2 minutes to read

The NZ Symphony Orchestra saved its best till last in a superb 2017, says William Dart.

Swedish soprano Lisa Larsson joins the APO in Auckland on Thursday evening.

ENTERTAINMENT

Soprano and APO in heavenly harmony

15 Nov, 2017 5:00am
3 minutes to read

Sweden's Lisa Larsson sings the songs of lush and decadent romance when she joins the APO.

ENTERTAINMENT

Classical review: NZSO with Joyce Yang

14 Nov, 2017 4:44pm
2 minutes to read

Russian composer Rachmaninov's music can still speak to our collective heart.

Auckland Philharmonia Orchestra at Auckland Town Hall. Photo / Supplied

ENTERTAINMENT

Classical review: Flair to fore in Masters class

13 Nov, 2017 5:00am
2 minutes to read

Auckland Philharmonia Orchestra might have been a further instalment of German Masters.

ENTERTAINMENT

William Dart reviews the latest classical CDs

11 Nov, 2017 5:00am
2 minutes to read

Young English string quartet salutes Hungarian master with style, writes William Dart.

Anthony Ritchie is one of New Zealand's busiest composers.

ENTERTAINMENT

Music reflects the children we once were

10 Nov, 2017 5:00am
3 minutes to read

Anthony Ritchie is one of our busiest composers; his new music reflects on simpler times.

Blackbird Ensemble artistic director Claire Cowan's arrangements of Bjork's music expose the human heart of these ballads.

ENTERTAINMENT

Classical review: Blackbird Ensemble brings the love to Bjork

9 Nov, 2017 1:00pm
2 minutes to read

Hip chamber orchestra makes magic with Bjork's music, writes William Dart.

Composer Brett Dean's Fire Music provided a rousing performance.

ENTERTAINMENT

Classical review: APO Fire Music

8 Nov, 2017 11:30am
2 minutes to read

Composer Brett Dean's Fire Music provides orchestral highlight, writes William Dart.

Lyell Cresswell, The Art of Black & White (Rattle, through Ode Records)

ENTERTAINMENT

William Dart reviews the latest classical music CDs

4 Nov, 2017 5:00am
2 minutes to read

Musical interpretations of painting techniques delivered with charisma and charm.

ENTERTAINMENT

Head and heart in perfect balance for concerto

3 Nov, 2017 5:00am
3 minutes to read

Once the youngest in a prestigious global competition, pianist Joyce Yang is back in NZ.

Composer Brett Dean's Fire Music features moments of mystery and menace.

ENTERTAINMENT

Composition blazes with mystery and menace

30 Oct, 2017 5:00am
3 minutes to read

Out of tragedy has come a triumphant piece of music which celebrates hope and new life.

Michael Houstoun, Trois (Rattle, through Ode Records)

ENTERTAINMENT

William Dart reviews the latest classical CDs

28 Oct, 2017 5:00am
2 minutes to read

NZ pianist Michael Houstoun makes a stylish French connection, writes William Dart.

Anna Netrebko and husband Yusif Eyvazov's love duets blurred reality with opera's fantasy world.

ENTERTAINMENT

Operatic star shows why she's one of greats

23 Oct, 2017 5:00am
2 minutes to read

The Russian soprano revealed why Anna Netrebko is one of the great voices of today.

Michael Houstoun brought NZ composer Lyell Cresswell's new piano concerto to life during the APO's Prokofiev 5 concert.

ENTERTAINMENT

William Dart reviews the APO's Prokofiev 5 concert

23 Oct, 2017 5:00am
2 minutes to read

APO and Michael Houstoun fire up NZ composer Lyell Cresswell's new piano concerto.

Frances Moore, from UnstuckOpera, says The Winterreise Project is about her breaking up with the world.

ENTERTAINMENT

Opera review: Winterreise Project is not to be missed

19 Oct, 2017 5:00am
2 minutes to read

A radical take-down of the mad world we live In is compelling opera, writes William Dart.

Anna Netrebko says feeling the magic that comes from pairing her voice with that of her husband Yusif Eyvazov is a joy.

ENTERTAINMENT

Superstar certain to dazzle in sole outing

17 Oct, 2017 5:00am
3 minutes to read

Russian diva and tenor husband with APO are sure to be magic night.

ENTERTAINMENT

Conductor's hyper energy whips up orchestral display

16 Oct, 2017 5:00am
2 minutes to read

Conductor James Judd was the perfect guide for the NZSO's Travels in Italy concert.

Michael Houstoun brings NZ composer Lyell Cresswell's new piano concerto to life.

ENTERTAINMENT

Bach continues to inspire NZ composer

16 Oct, 2017 5:00am
3 minutes to read

Award-winning contemporary classical composer Lyell Cresswell's new work lands this week.