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Los Angeles Master Chorale invested an essentially contemplative work with new dramatic impact, thanks to director Peter Sellars.

Choral work given dramatic new impact by mood of our times

16 Mar, 2020 5:00am
2 minutes to read

Choral performance a masterclass in making classics truly breath-taking.

Robert Tucker in Eight Songs for a Mad King. Photo / Jeff McEwan

Maddest opera is a must-see

13 Mar, 2020 5:00am
2 minutes to read

Why Eight Songs for a Mad King succeeds in taking Opera NZ into a brave new world.

Mozart's Concerto for Flute and Harp, featuring the APO's Melanie Lancon and Ingrid Bauer as extremely able soloists. Photo / Adrian Malloch

PREMIUM

Urban sounds capture town hall audience

9 Mar, 2020 5:00am
2 minutes to read

Two different cities brought together in music for appreciative city dwellers.

Opening Chamber Music New Zealand's 2020 season, the Juilliard415 were captivating. Photo / supplied

How classical musicians are making the old new again

2 Mar, 2020 5:00am
2 minutes to read

Youthful musicians achieve a bold goal, writes William Dart.

Soloist Stefan Dohr performed with the APO as part of a global tour, premiering a new horn concerto by the Danish composer Hans Abrahamsen. Photo / Simon Pauly

Bach and Brahms equals Baroque splendour with

24 Feb, 2020 5:00am
2 minutes to read

New classical foots it with Baroque splendor at APO's latest performance.

Romanian soloist Alexandra Dariescu shone during her appearance with the Auckland Philharmonia Orchestra. Photo / Marco Borggreve

ENTERTAINMENT

Great classics herald the start of a bumper year for APO

17 Feb, 2020 5:00am
2 minutes to read

Spontaneous roars of approval start Auckland Philharmonia Orchestra's year.

Jarvis Dams, singing with his usual intelligence, joined Auckland Choral for Handel's Messiah. Photo / File

ENTERTAINMENT

William Dart: A familiar and rewarding Messiah

18 Dec, 2019 5:00am
2 minutes to read

Uwe Grodd is a simpatico guide as his choristers undertake their Messiah journey.

Amalia Hall, Ashely Brown and Somi Kim can reflect on a triumphant 2019. Photo / Gareth Badger

ENTERTAINMENT

NZTrio finishes year on a high note

17 Dec, 2019 5:00am
2 minutes to read

NZTrio's shake-up leads to winning combo in place, writes William Dart.

Soprano Lauren Snouffer performed with the NZSO.

ENTERTAINMENT

Review: Maestro's fabulous final bow

25 Nov, 2019 5:00am
2 minutes to read

Orchestra's departing maestro farewelled with a perfect tribute. How did he respond?

Dame Kiri Te Kanawa. Photo / Jason Oxenham

ENTERTAINMENT

Dame Kiri lures them to newly re-named theatre

22 Nov, 2019 5:00am
2 minutes to read

Concert in Dame Kiri Te Kanawa's honour signals much joy to come in re-named theatre.

A frequent soloist with the APO, Ning Feng has come a long way since winning the Michael Hill International Violin Competition in 2005. Photo / Lawrence Tsang

ENTERTAINMENT

A winning peace: APO gives final town hall concert for 2019

18 Nov, 2019 5:00am
2 minutes to read

REVIEW: APO's Conflict and Triumph was as assured as ever.

Jennifer Koh's stunning performance with the NZ Symphony Orchestra brought the contemporary to the classical. Photo / Studio Giudon

ENTERTAINMENT

Classical review: Monumental music-making delivered by NZ Symphony Orchestra

12 Nov, 2019 5:00am
2 minutes to read

William Dart on the NZSO's Great concert - one of the finest of the year.

Star cellist Julian Steckel. Photo / Marco Borggreve

ENTERTAINMENT

Classical review: APO's date with cello soloist creates thrilling evening

4 Nov, 2019 5:00am
2 minutes to read

2001 Space Odyssey's iconic music allowed to unleash its full power.

Quatuor Ebene is taking Beethoven around the world.

ENTERTAINMENT

Choosing Beethoven over the All Blacks - how beautiful music stylishly performed soothed

29 Oct, 2019 5:00am
2 minutes to read

Saving the best till last - Chamber Music NZ signs off 2019 in style.

Anna Leese as the governess in The Turn of the Screw - are the hauntings real or in her mind? Photo / Marty Melville

ENTERTAINMENT

NZ opera stars shine in dark and ghostly tale

21 Oct, 2019 5:00am
2 minutes to read

The Turn of the Screw is gripping and unsettling, Gothic opera at its best.

Louis Schwizgebel, pianist. Photo / Marco Borggreve

ENTERTAINMENT

Utter enchantment to be found at the orchestra

21 Oct, 2019 5:00am
2 minutes to read

Regarded as one the most hypnotic pieces, did Ravel's Bolero live up to expectations?

Quatuor Ebene's classic concert unites us in a world of music

21 Oct, 2019 5:00am
2 minutes to read

Chamber Music New Zealand saved its best till last, signing off 2019 with Quatuor Ebene.

NZTrio is now Ashley Brown, Amalia Hall and Somi Kim.

ENTERTAINMENT

Tectonic impact? NZTrio shakes down

16 Oct, 2019 5:00am
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Trio's new move not enough to make tectonic impact, writes music reviewer William Dart.

ENTERTAINMENT

Philosopher Symphony outplays monster score

14 Oct, 2019 5:00am
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NZ Symphony Orchestra praised for adventurous programming but it fails to truly fire.

Amalia Hall is one of our finest young violinists and her performance with the APO showed why.

ENTERTAINMENT

NZ musician shows why she's one of our best

7 Oct, 2019 5:00am
2 minutes to read

Star performers shine with the Auckland Philharmonia Orchestra.

Stephanie Acraman's clear, fresh soprano impressed during Bach Musica's most recent performance.

ENTERTAINMENT

Classical review: Music you don't normally hear appreciated

1 Oct, 2019 5:00am
2 minutes to read

Bach Musica continues proud tradition of bringing music off familiar repertoire trails.

Violinist Viktoria Mullova, along with cellist Matthew Barley and pianist Stephen De Pledge, were the musical pillars in an evening of fine chamber music. Photo / Heike Fischer

ENTERTAINMENT

Classical review: Piano Splendour rare chance to hear top trio perform

18 Sep, 2019 5:00am
2 minutes to read

Viktoria Mullova shows why she's one of the biggest stars of classical music.

Soloist Andrew Beer deftly tailored Bach's A minor Violin Concerto. Photo / Adrian Malloch

ENTERTAINMENT

Classical review: Combo delivers powerful punch

18 Sep, 2019 5:00am
2 minutes to read

A mighty combo of great composer, the APO and Auckland Choral equals rousing night.

Violinist Viktoria Mullova played Bach as we rarely hear it performed. Photo / Studio Guidon

ENTERTAINMENT

Classical review: Ashkenazy and Mullova hold nothing back in concert thriller

16 Sep, 2019 5:00am
2 minutes to read

Two of the greatest classical musicians alive treat APO fans to the concert of a lifetime.

ENTERTAINMENT

Classical review: Rousing NZSO illuminates profound music

10 Sep, 2019 5:00am
2 minutes to read

Rachmaninov a tough act to follow but pianist Louis Lortie showed no fear.

Voices New Zealand Chamber Choir, dramatically filling choir stalls at the Auckland Town Hall, was magnificent with the NZ Symphony Orchestra. Photo / John McDermott

ENTERTAINMENT

Classical review: NZSO concludes Auckland leg of Beethoven Festival with rousing choral notes

27 Aug, 2019 5:00am
2 minutes to read

NZ Symphony Orchestra in continued good form with rousing Beethoven finale.

French maestro Bertrand de Billy transported APO audiences with drive and momentum. Photo / Marco Borggreve

ENTERTAINMENT

Classical review: Auckland Philharmonia Orchestra Reveries

26 Aug, 2019 5:00am
2 minutes to read

Fine French symphonies transport APO audiences from bleak Auckland winter.

NZSO Music Director Edo de Waart. Photo / Stephen A'Court

ENTERTAINMENT

Classical review: Beethoven remains a crowd pleaser

20 Aug, 2019 5:00am
2 minutes to read

NZ Symphony Orchestra's ode to Beethoven a monumental achievement.

Viola player Jennifer Stumm is now touring New Zealand.

ENTERTAINMENT

Classical review: Jennifer Stumm

19 Aug, 2019 5:00am
2 minutes to read

US violist Jennifer Stumm adds to top flight concert experiences, writes William Dart.

World-renowed pipa player Wu Man in concert with the APO under the baton of Tung-Chieh Chuang. Photo / Adrian Malloch

ENTERTAINMENT

Wonder Wu Man adds spark to APO's Reimagined

12 Aug, 2019 5:00am
2 minutes to read

Exhilarating cultural mix makes for enthralling time with Auckland Philharmonia Orchestra.

Conductor Carlos Kalmar united composers and musicians alike at the NZ Symphony Orchestra's most recent performance. Photo / Nancy Horowitz

ENTERTAINMENT

NZ Symphony Orchestra unites all in music with music for troubled times

23 Jul, 2019 5:00am
2 minutes to read

Conductor Carlos Kalmar: We are all in this together - how the NZSO uses music to unite.

Natasha Wilson's subtly toned and confidently sung Zerlina offered many shades of vulnerability in Auckland Philharmonia Orchestra's impressive Don Giovanni. Photo / Evan Donnelly.

ENTERTAINMENT

APO and NZ Opera turn it all on for Don Giovanni

22 Jul, 2019 5:00am
2 minutes to read

In the #MeToo era, a 1787 opera seemed very 2019 as the APO turns in a fine performance.

Ashley Brown, Amalia Hall and Somi Kim make up the NZTrio. Photo/Garth Badger

ENTERTAINMENT

Consummate music-making from NZTrio

16 Jul, 2019 5:00am
2 minutes to read

NZTrio finds its happy space

NZSO Music Director Emeritus James Judd. Photo / Miguel Alonso

ENTERTAINMENT

Youth celebrates with flourish

8 Jul, 2019 5:00am
2 minutes to read

NYO Celebrates was a culmination of a century's nurturing.

Soloist Andrew Beer, taking on Ligeti's complex Violin Concerto, was an intrepid voyager. Photo / Adrian Malloch

ENTERTAINMENT

Classical review: APO thrives in face of major challenge

1 Jul, 2019 5:00am
2 minutes to read

APO musicians stay cool and perform under pressure when faced with change of conductor.

Jazz pianist Francesco Turrisi failed to sparkle, writes William Dart.

ENTERTAINMENT

Classical review: Francesco Turrisi fails to hit the high notes for Chamber Music NZ

27 Jun, 2019 5:00am
2 minutes to read

Was this visiting musician up to the demands of solo jazz piano, asks William Dart.

Flautist Jennifer Mori was an expressive soloist at Auckland Chamber Orchestra's most recent concert. Photo / Adrian Malloch

ENTERTAINMENT

Classical review: Auckland Chamber Orchestra

26 Jun, 2019 5:00am
2 minutes to read

Auckland Chamber Orchestra pay deserved homage to one of our best composers.

Violinist Do Gyung (Anna) Im with Sir Michael Hill and Christine, Lady Hill.

ENTERTAINMENT

Review: Competition makes musical world a richer place

10 Jun, 2019 5:00am
2 minutes to read

The winner of the 2019 Michael Hill International Violin Competition is named.

Auckland soprano Morag Atchison stands out among a dazzling cast in Opera NZ's Barber of Seville. Photo / David Rowland

ENTERTAINMENT

Opera review: The Barber of Seville

8 Jun, 2019 5:00am
2 minutes to read

Barber of Seville is cutting edge comic opera, says William Dart thrilled by NZ Opera show

Violinist James Ehnes is always a popular addition to the Auckland Philharmonia Orchestra. Photo/Benjamin Ealovega

ENTERTAINMENT

Classical review: James Ehnes absolutely assured with APO

3 Jun, 2019 5:00am
2 minutes to read

Violinist James Ehnes energises Auckland Philharmonia Orchestra, says William Dart

Russian virtuoso Denis Kozhukhin joined the NZ Symphony Orchestra for its Love Eternal performances.

ENTERTAINMENT

Classical review: NZSO shows eternal love for composing greats

28 May, 2019 5:00am
2 minutes to read

The NZ Symphony Orchestra's "love eternal" a revelation, writes William Dart.

Youthful soprano Te Ohorere Williams brought charm and wit to birthday celebrations for senior NZ composer John Rimmer. Photo/Andi Crown

ENTERTAINMENT

Classical review: one of our greatest composers turns 80

28 May, 2019 5:00am
2 minutes to read

A birthday celebration for one of NZ's greatest composers is a welcome present.

ENTERTAINMENT

Man, Sitting in a Garden has potential to grow

17 May, 2019 5:00am
2 minutes to read

New New Zealand music blossoms at writers festival, writes William Dart.

The Brodsky Quartet were in fine form during an Auckland concert. Photo/Martina Simkovicova.

ENTERTAINMENT

Brodskys serve up feast of fugue

15 May, 2019 5:00am
2 minutes to read

Adventurous musical quartet bring some classic moves to town, writes William Dart.

Cellist Umberto Clerici brought a touch of magic to the APO and Elgar's Cello Concerto.

ENTERTAINMENT

APO plays triple treat with gusto

13 May, 2019 5:00am
2 minutes to read

Auckland Philharmonia Orchestra amazes with cello concerto, writes William Dart.

The expertise of conductor Uwe Grodd saw skillfully balanced massed and solo voices in Auckland Choral's first 2019 concert.

ENTERTAINMENT

Review: Auckland Choral in fine voice

6 May, 2019 5:00am
2 minutes to read

Auckland Choral's first 2019 performance is a triumph, writes William Dart.

Templar Great Classics series provided a stirring Easter journey through the music of Bach and Handel, chosen and conducted by Sofi Jeannin.

ENTERTAINMENT

APO delivers a stirring Easter journey

22 Apr, 2019 5:00am
2 minutes to read

The Auckland Philharmonia Orchestra's annual choral concert a stunning Easter journey.

Pianist Joyce Yang gave an exuberant and fully-committed performance of Brahms' First Piano Concerto. Photo / Milwaukee Journal Sentinel

ENTERTAINMENT

NZSO plays the music of love

15 Apr, 2019 5:00am
2 minutes to read

NZ Symphony Orchestra delivers a fine romance defying expectations, writes William Dart.

ENTERTAINMENT

Choral joy has some patches in Bach Mass

10 Apr, 2019 5:00am
2 minutes to read

Concert cuts detract from perfect performances, writes William Dart.

Soloist Alessio Bax with the Auckland Philharmonia Orchestra. Photo / Adrian Malloch

ENTERTAINMENT

Classical review: APO presents brooding, beautiful landscapes

8 Apr, 2019 5:00am
2 minutes to read

Auckland Philharmonia Orchestra takes audiences from concert hall to glorious landscapes.

American mezzo-soprano Susan Graham was in stellar form when she performed with the NZ Symphony Orchestra in Auckland.

ENTERTAINMENT

Classical review: NZSO shows its star power

1 Apr, 2019 5:00am
2 minutes to read

Star power makes NZ Symphony Orchestra concert out of this world, writes William Dart.

Turangalila Symphonie, above, is a masterpiece of 20th century music featuring more than 100 musicians. Photo / Supplied

ENTERTAINMENT

Classical review: APO's Turangalila Symphony triumph

25 Mar, 2019 5:00am
2 minutes to read

Auckland Philharmonia Orchestra does full justice to rarely-performed grand composition.

The Silk Road Ensemble makes music borne out of cultural differences. Photo / Liz Linder

ENTERTAINMENT

Classical review: Silkroad Ensemble travels well

16 Mar, 2019 5:00am
2 minutes to read

Silkroad Ensemble takes listeners on a first-class musical journey, writes William Dart.

Cartoon play and visuals in The Magic Flute echoes everything from Weimar expressionism to Disney and Monty Python, making for a visually stunning and inventive production.

ENTERTAINMENT

Classical review: Endlessly inventive Magic Flute hooks audiences to the silver screen

10 Mar, 2019 5:00am
2 minutes to read

Arts Festival pulls off major coup getting wild and wonderful Magic Flute to Auckland.

Cellist Gabriel Schwabe was one of three soloists who turned in exquisite performances at Beethoven's Triple. Photo/Giorgia Bertazzi

ENTERTAINMENT

Classical review: APO triples the enjoyment

4 Mar, 2019 5:00am
2 minutes to read

Beethoven and Bruckner, composers worlds apart, attract impressive numbers to APO.

NZSO associate conductor Hamish McKeich led NZ Symphony Orchestra audiences on a merry journey through music.

ENTERTAINMENT

Classical review: NZSO heads off on a classical journey

27 Feb, 2019 5:00am
2 minutes to read

The NZ Symphony Orchestra goes on a classical journey; an NZ musical stopover is missed.

Musical Postcards had conductor Giordano Bellincampi jumping for joy - and audience hearts leapt with him. Photo / Adrian Malloch.

ENTERTAINMENT

Hearts soared as maestro treads air

25 Feb, 2019 5:00am
2 minutes to read

From Paris to New York, via Spain, the APO delivered a true musical postcard.

Auckland Philharmonia Orchestra is back in action for 2019. Photo / Adrian Malloch

ENTERTAINMENT

Fantasy start for Auckland Philharmonia

18 Feb, 2019 5:00am
2 minutes to read

COMMENT: Much to delight in during APO's first full concert of 2019.

Auckland Choral conductor Uwe Grodd. Photo / Dean Carruthers

ENTERTAINMENT

Classical review: Auckland Choral's brilliant 100th Messiah celebration

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

Auckland Choral's Messiah a glorious celebration of a century-old tradition.

Simon O'Neill, pictured here at the 2017 Lakeside concert in Rotorua, was in splendid voice during an appearance with Bach Musica. Photo / Stephen Parker

ENTERTAINMENT

Christmas concert a real classic

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

Bach Musica NZ's Christmas Surprise concert was a seasonal delight, writes William Dart.

Violinist Amalia Hall performs at the Auckland Philharmonia Orchestra's

ENTERTAINMENT

Classical review: APO - 'A Woman's Place'

3 Dec, 2018 5:00am
2 minutes to read

'A Woman's Place' highlights much to celebrate from our female composers and musicians.

Soloists soprano Madeliene Pierard, mezzo-soprano Kristin Darragh, tenor Simon O'Neill and bass Anthony Robin Schneider soar alongside the NZSO. Photo/Stephen A'Court

ENTERTAINMENT

Evening offers a masterly mix

28 Nov, 2018 5:00am
2 minutes to read

Beethoven remains box office gold, says William Dart as the NZSO rounds off its 2018 year