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.
Shostakovich: music for troubled times
Marking the 50th anniversary of the death of Shostakovich, New Zealand musicians are playing his music. Does it provide the greatest insight into a major 20th century composer?
The Night Watch: exploring the intimate beauty of darkness
Wellington-based specialist early music ensemble The Night Watch presents “in Darknesse”, the second of a 2025 triptych of concerts exploring the themes of darkness and the human voice.
Anemic Cinema @ the Roxy: Stroma goes to the movies
Contemporary ensemble Stroma has created an adventurous programme of experimental black-and-white film with new and colourful soundtracks for the Lōemis Festival.
Pianist John Chen on tour: French masterpieces played with formidable dynamism
John Chen’s CMNZ tour is bringing a recital programme of French masterpieces from the 19th century to 13 New Zealand centres. His playing is highly accomplished and marvellously expressive.
NZ Opera’s new La Bohème: what’s the enduring appeal of Puccini’s masterpiece?
Why is Puccini’s La Bohème still one of the world’s favourite operas, long after its première in 1896? And why should you not miss NZ Opera’s new production? NZ Opera’s Brad Cohen offers some answers.
Reuben Brown’s journey to the podium: learning from the best
Conductor Reuben Brown is en route to a career on the podium, driven by talent, determination and charm. His mentors include Ken Young, Gemma New, Hamish McKeich, James Judd and Giordano Bellincampi.
The remarkable Amalia Hall: star soloist, concertmaster and chamber musician
Violinist Amalia Hall will join the NZSO for Bartók’s 2nd Violin Concerto. But she’s equally at home as concertmaster or chamber musician and she’s playing all three roles at home and internationally.
NZSO ‘Legends’: Masaaki Suzuki reveals new magic in beloved classics
For the ‘Legends’ concert, the NZSO stayed with the safest of popular programming, but conductor Masaaki Suzuki revealed something special and new about the music.
NZTrio’s Magnifique: variety and virtuosity
NZTrio’s ‘Magnifique’ programme is currently on tour, a wonderful debut for the ensemble’s new line-up. Their winning mix of adventurous repertoire and splendid performances is set to continue.
Maestra Shiyeon Sung: conducting as a transfer of energy
Shiyeon Sung, Principal Guest Conductor of the Auckland Philharmonia, talks about becoming a conductor, her teachers and role models, and her upcoming Auckland concert.
Tenor Emmanuel Fonoti-Fuimaono: taking flight to the opera stages of the world
NZ tenor Emmanuel Fonoti-Fuimaono is off to San Francisco and London to pursue his opera dreams at prestigious training programmes.
100 Winds Taupō Hau Rau: musicians and dancers breathe together
100 Winds Taupō Hau Rau is a compelling work, Inspired by the shifting winds of Lake Taupō, performed by the NZ String Quartet and dancers from the NZ Dance Company.
Diedre Irons at 80: “I just play the piano…”
Diedre Irons is one of New Zealand’s most outstanding musicians. She talked to Elizabeth Kerr about a lifetime of performance and her love of playing the piano.
NZSO Pictures at an Exhibition: opening the season with a sense of occasion
The NZSO’s first main series concert of 2025 had a great sense of occasion and a world premiere co-commissioned by four international orchestras.
The Night has a Thousand Eyes: Borderline Arts Ensemble’s nocturnal magic
The Night has a Thousand Eyes is a stunningly beautiful show, created by artists in in music, dance, and lighting to take us to a magical world.
NZSO Timeless Beauty: Baroque sensibility and stylish flair
The NZSO’s Timeless Beauty: Handel and Telemann is the most successful Baroque music concert the NZSO has presented in recent years.
The Marmen Quartet: an outstanding debut album
The Marmen Quartet’s debut album of music by Ligeti and Bartók confirms their reputation as crack musicians and courageous risk-takers.
Chopin’s Nocturnes: Piers Lane’s voyage of musical discovery
Pianist PIers Lane is taking his recital of the complete set of Chopin’s Nocturnes to 13 New Zealand centres. In the first concert in Wellington, a sold-out audience was entranced.
Bryony Gibson-Cornish and her Amati: the viola of her dreams
For New Zealander Bryony Gibson-Cornish, violist of the Marmen Quartet, finding and eventually acquiring her Amati viola was a dream come true.
Michael Houstoun and “the 48”: insight into Bach’s genius
Pianist Michael Houstoun’s new album of the 48 Preludes and Fugues of Bach’s Well-Tempered Clavier is a magnificent achievement and a great insight into the Baroque master’s genius.