One of the most loved ballets has been given a makeover for the Auckland Arts Festival. Akram Khan’s Giselle features a fresh score performed by the Auckland Philharmonia Orchestra. Justin Gregory reviews the bold commission.

Phil Dadson and his sound art group From Scratch make sounds using custom-made instruments; some involving PVC pipes, jandals. The group have a new show and exhibition at the Auckland Arts Festival. Tim Dodd explores the sights and sounds of what the group’s created at Te Uru Gallery.

Australia’s Orava Quartet makes its New Zealand debut today. The four young men have close family connections which means they don’t hold back in rehearsals. Brothers Daniel and Karol Kowalik, with good friends David Dalseno and Thomas Chawner discuss bringing passion and vitality to the classics of the string quartet repertoire.

Tony Ryan looks at the first in this year’s Christopher’s Classics chamber music series at The Piano, with violinist Natalia Lomeiko and pianist Kirsten Robertson in action. Having just heard Lomeiko play a concerto on Saturday with the Christchurch Symphony, Tony takes the measure of her recital quality.

The 1812 Overture is being performed with real cannons this weekend in Porirua. How do you get the timing right and do they use real cannon balls? Gunner from the Wellington Cannon Society explains more.

A new duo makes its professional debut this week. Luca Manghi and Flavio Villani, Italian musicians now based in New Zealand, are giving three recitals playing music for piano and flute by Italian and New Zealand composers.

Legendary brass player Ken Smith died recently in Melbourne aged 88. New Zealand Symphony Orchestra's David Bremner shares his memories.

The Royal New Zealand Ballet’s take on Jane Campion’s iconic film The Piano opened in Wellington on Friday. Jennifer Shennan asks whether the stage adaptation into a full length ballet works is a satisfying artistic creation or do you have to have seen the film to understand it?

Failing health, euthanasia and family trying to get their hands on inheritance permeate the retelling of William Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet. Adapted by Geraldine Brophy, with a score composed by Sam Jones, the tragic love story is set in a retirement village and takes a stark look at issues many us are facing today.

The NZ Festival opened in Wellington on Friday evening. Lynn Freeman, host of RNZ National’s arts programme Standing Room Only talks about some of the highlights and disappointments of the Festival’s opening weekend.