Talented Kiwis are spread around the globe, creating magnificent art. Auckland-Born Sculptor Marian Fountain is based in Paris and has created The Earth Remembers, which marks New Zealand’s involvement in World War 1, particularly in the northern French city of Arras where New Zealanders helped build the tunnel system. Correspondent Vincent O’Donnell travelled to Paris to find out more about the work.

Classical music has a great capacity to provide profound comfort in times of loss; one of the beloved such works in the repertoire is Fauré’s Requiem. Wellington choir Nota Bene is performing this luminous work, and music by 17th century Englishman Henry Purcell, in its next concert. Upbeat talks with conductor Peter Walls.

The Heath Quartet, one of Britain’s most exciting chamber ensembles, performed Gareth Farr’s new commission Te Kōanga, meaning Spring or planting season last night at the Michael Fowler Centre. Elizabeth Kerr shares her thoughts on the new work and the Quartet’s performance of Haydn and Britten string quartets and Bach’s Chorale Preludes.

Well known New Zealand composer Gareth Farr has a new string quartet specially written for the visiting Heath Quartet from the U.K.

New Zealand Opera’s The Elixir of Love continues at Wellington’s Opera House. NZO’s emerging young artist Natasha Wilson injects energy, sass and warmth into her role has Giannetta – a community leader in Donizetti’s comedic opera. Natasha talks about being on stage with some big opera personalities, her loves of the art form and her future career plan.

The National Centre of Musical Excellence in Wellington gets a $4 million Lotteries boost; Prokofiev heads into a pub, and top trumpeter Alison Balsom emphasizes the importance of music education. Plus the music of the future in The Atom Room.

Peruvian conductor Miguel Harth-Bedoya is a well-known figure to New Zealand audiences. The former APO music director is back in the country conducting the NZSO, and chats to Upbeat about his musical curiosity, his long relationship with the Fort Worth Symphony Orchestra in the USA, and also his zero-waste lifestyle.

It’s Matariki this month and Chamber Music New Zealand is marking it with unique performances in some of our Museums. Nga Taonga Puoro player Alistair Fraser and bass player Phil Boniface team up with story teller Rangimoana Taylor for a multi-media experience for families. Alistair and Phil give us a special live performance.

Conductor Carlos Miguel Prieto brings his charisma to the Auckland Philharmonia Orchestra this week to lead the performance of Ottensamer plays Weber.

Chief Conductor of the Perth Symphony Orchestra Jessica Gethin is on a flying visit to conduct the Auckland Philharmonia Orchestra and singer Michael Bolton tonight. She discusses how she has made her mark in a world so dominated by men.