Edo de Waart opens his tenure as Music Director of the New Zealand Symphony Orchestra, with Swedish mezzo soprano Charlotte Hellekant and a host of singers. Peter Hoar reviews the epic 100 minute journey as de Waart puts his stamp on the orchestra at Friday's opening concert in Auckland.

Stepping into the spotlight are Hannah Smith and Ralph McCubbin Howell the brains behind the theatre company Trick of the Light. The company are presenting the show Beards! Beards! Beards! at Bats Theatre before heading off to the Brighton Fringe Festival.

On Sunday virtuoso organist Christopher Herrick gives his first concert on the organ he rescued from abandonment. The former Westminster Abbey organist wrote the report that convinced Auckland City councillors to have the Auckland Town Hall organ completely refurbished. We find our if he's happy with the result ahead of his free concert this Sunday afternoon. topics] music

Musical theatre educator Cindy Ripley tells us about the super food that singing in musicals can be for young minds. She tells Zoe George, also a musical theatre devotee, that music and singing are natural skills that young people often get conditioned out of. topics] music

Orchestra Wellington Music Director Marc Taddei has a new job to add to his resume. He's just been appointed Music Director of the Vallejo Symphony Orchestra. Located in the San Francisco Bay Area and one of the oldest orchestras in California. topics] music, politics

Swedish born mezzo-soprano Charlotte Hellekant is in New Zealand to perform Mahler 3 with the New Zealand Symphony Orchestra and conductor Edo de Waart. She tells Eva about how she wants to make the most of what New Zealand has to offer.

What were crowds like in Shakespeare's day? And is it acceptable to behave the same today? The Pop-up Globe replica has been a huge success in Auckland attracting thousands of people. Juliette Sivertsen decided to find out if it's alright to fling fruit like our forefathers, and if we can be discourteous with a digital device.

New Zealand born cellist Dr Rebecca Turner is home at the moment to perform the work Hearing Voices. The piece combines solo cello and electrically modified cello; Rebecca will talk about this new area of research after her performance in a free lecture at the New Zealand School of Music tonight.

British pianist Clare Hammond recently made her film debut as the younger version of Maggie Smith's character, 'Miss Shepherd', in the Alan Bennett film adaptation The Lady in the Van, directed by Nick Hytner. Clare talks about the challenges of playing for the camera and the technique she's learned to control her performance anxiety.

David Alsop previews several new exhibitions: Frida Kahlo: Her Photos at Te Manawa Museum in Palmerston North; Fiona Pardington: A Beautiful Hesitation; the latest offerings from Wellington artist Rob McLeod; and Ans Westra who celebrates her 80th birthday with a new photography exhibition.