A few words with Frances Wilson.

The final of the Lexus Song Quest celebrated the competition's 60 years in style.

What new paths might Mozart have pursued had he lived to capitalise on the popular success of The Magic Flute?

New Zealand Opera is bringing Sara Brodie's production of The Magic Flute to Auckland after a successful season in the capital.

Young opera singers around New Zealand have spent the past 10 days auditioning for the country's most prestigious song contest.

Auckland's 'Off Broadway' institution puts on a bumper weekend, writes William Dart.

Sixteen figures in flowing cream reclaim the King of Thebes from Freud in this melodic contemporary opera.

Nixon in China, co-produced with Auckland Philharmonia Orchestra and New Zealand Opera, cements why John Adams has created an operatic survivor.

An extraordinary international event, John Adams’ Nixon in China is one of the most celebrated operas of our generation. It's an ambitious work on a grand scale.

Michael Fabiano, a rising star in world opera, had almost made it. With only the finale to go before a certain standing ovation, disaster struck.

Known for his political activism and satirical comedy, you wouldn't normally associate Mark Thomas with a rarefied art form such as opera.

From the start, New Zealand Opera's Don Giovanni presented the mix of tragedy and comedy stipulated in the opera's description as "dramma giocoso" (playful drama).

Auckland opera audiences have become accustomed to having Verdi and Puccini presented through the eyes of female directors from across the Tasman.

There was an air of ritual about Requiem for the Fallen, the major music commission of the New Zealand Arts Festival.

British theatre mogul Andrew Lloyd Webber has been hospitalised in the UK, where he received his "12th general anaesthetic in 8 months".

Kiwi opera singer Madeleine Pierard has gone through hell, but says she is blessed to have the life she lives.

Elizabeth Marvelly became a pop opera star at the age of 18. Six years on, though, the Kiwi singer is packing it in, deciding that she no longer wants to sing the classical music that has brought her fame and money.

Danielle Wright finds Wellington alive with art events, food and popular culture this winter.

Bryn Terfel was diligent, young and talented. He was also starting to think he had made the biggest mistake of his life.

Over the next few months children, from tots to teens, can immerse themselves in music, comedy and drama as they like it: loud and boisterous, writes Dionne Christian.

Beachside is best in Sydney, finds Jo Bates.