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.
NZSO National Youth Orchestra: an ocean voyage in radiant colour
The 2026 NZSO National Youth Orchestra took audiences in Wellington and Auckland on an engaging ocean voyage with music by Bewley, Britten, Foumai and Debussy.
Orchestra Wellington and some thoughts on virtuosity
Orchestra Wellington’s concert ‘Virtuosi’, in collaboration with the New Zealand String Quartet and cellist Inbal Meggido, explored different approaches to virtuosity in music by Elgar and Bartók.
NZSO, Gemma New and James Ehnes: whimsy, passion and grandeur
The NZSO with conductor Gemma New and violinist James Ehnes thrilled the audience with music by Thomas Adès, Erich Korngold and Gustav Mahler.
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.
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’s Mahler 5: brilliance and insight
The NZSO’s Mahler 5 concert showed off the orchestra under the brilliant conducting of Gemma New in a programme celebrating exciting composers and musicians of a younger generation.