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.
Orpheus Choir: fine singing in an ambitious programme
The Orpheus Choir in its recent concert revealed the glorious music of Mozart’s Requiem and made the most of Christopher Tin’s To Shiver the Sky under the baton of Brent Stewart.
NZSO and Shostakovich’s 8th Symphony: howls of grief and rage
Shostakovich’s magnificent, grief-filled 8th Symphony captures the zeitgeist in a strong performance by the NZSO under André de Ridder.
NZSO and María Dueñas: casting a spell with Beethoven
The NZSO opened its 2026 season with violinist María Dueñas playing Beethoven’s Violin Concerto. But did we really need to hear Dvořák’s “New World” Symphony again?
SOUNDCATHEDRAL: sonic architecture across time and space
Michael Norris’s SoundCathedral was installed in the Wellington Cathedral of St Paul for premiere during the Aotearoa NZ Festival of the Arts. Its monumental sonic architecture made a big impact.
Korimako Piano Trio: fine musicians in thoughtful accord
New Zealand newest chamber ensemble, the Korimako Trio, opened its 2026 season with an enthusiastically-received concert for the Waikanae Music Society.
Joyce DiDonato with the NZSO: great artistry from a generous spirit
American superstar soprano Joyce DiDonato delighted audiences with her magnificent singing and generous personality in concerts and masterclasses during her first visit to New Zealand.
NZTrio: electrifying momentum
The NZTrio, in its new line-up of Amalia Hall, Somi Kim and Matthias Balzat, seems in its “Hypnotique” programme to have fully gelled into a unified, high-octane ensemble.
Bach’s Christmas Oratorio: delightful and uplifting
Wellington writer Corrina Connor reviewed a recent performance of Bach’s Christmas Oratorio by the Bach Choir and Nota Bene with the Chiesa Ensemble.
Four Last Songs: NZTrio and soprano Emma Pearson in marvellous musical accord
NZTrio with guest Emma Pearson delivered a crackling concert of varied repertoire, including Strauss's Four Last Songs arranged by NZ composer Salina Fisher.
NZSO’s Four Seasons: Kuusisto’s virtuosic showmanship wins the audience prize
Conductor/violinist Pekka Kuusisto entertained the NZSO audience with his inventive performance of Vivaldi’s The Four Seasons. Can showmanship go too far?
NZSO’s Stabat Mater: Victoria Kelly’s profound and moving new work
The NZSO’s recent Stabat Mater concerts presented Rossini’s operatic setting of the text and the world premiere of a new Stabat Mater by Victoria Kelly.
The Ghost Piano Trio: subtlety and musical rapport
The Ghost Piano Trio, on tour for Chamber Music New Zealand, brought a thoughtfully curated programme to Waikanae Music Society.
NZSO National Youth Orchestra: energy and passion in outstanding performances
This NZSO National Youth Orchestra offered fine performances of lush music by Strauss and Rachmaninov and the premiere of glacier, a work of complex textures and timbres by Luka Venter.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
The Jac + Stroma: a wide-ranging musical conversation
Two first-rate ensembles, The Jac and Stroma, get together for A GATHERING to “explore the hinterlands of jazz.” Elliot Vaughan reports from the NZ Fringe.