Features

Patricia Hurley's book Viva Opera! A Journey Through Italy draws on her lifelong passion for all things opera and her experience introducing tourists and singers to Italy's many opera meccas. Audio

Documentary maker Sebastian Kerebs goes behind the scenes to cover a series of Wellington classical music concerts aimed at people who don't usually go to classical music concerts. Video, Audio

Celebrating the season of Matariki this week, with hymns in Te Reo Māori and hymns of remembrance. Audio

From Ché-Fu and The Kratez performing with the Auckland Philharmonia to a family-friendly NZSO concert the kids can sign along to and a Stellar Sonic Tonic, RNZ Concert has something for everyone.

Respected solo players with distinct voices come together as one in this intense, exhilarating concert to lift the spirits. Hear music by Turina, Martinu and R Schumann, as well as a NZ premiere inspired by a colourful abstract painting.

We're marking Trinity Sunday this week with a selection of hymns including Holy, Holy, Holy and Lead Us, Heavenly Father, Lead Us. Audio

Matthew Marshall is about to embark on another tour of New Zealand and beyond, but he's also writing a history of the classical guitar in Aotearoa. Audio

Young Wellington tenor Herbert Zelenski is off to the UK to take up the position of Choral Scholar at Wells Cathedral. Audio

Christchurch raised, Sydney-based saxophonist Alice Morgan is back in town as soloist in a concert of New Zealand music. Video, Audio

Brilliant young countertenor Samuel Mataele talks about his love of all things operatic ahead of his debut with the Manukau Symphony Orchestra. Audio

Palau's president wants to see Taiwan given full access at this year's Pacific Islands Forum (PIF) Leaders' meeting.

Papua New Guinea has five months remaining to fix its anti-money laundering and counter-terrorist financing (AML/CTF) systems or risk being placed on the Financial Action Task Force's (FATF) "grey list".

Norfolk Island locals are shocked after a 40-kilogram package - believed to contain cocaine - washed up on one of their beaches.

A New Zealand-born Niuean educator says being recognised in the King's Birthday honours list reflects the importance of connecting young tagata Niue in Aotearoa to their roots.

Nauru has revised its commercial agreement with Canadian mining group The Metals Company for deep sea mining in international waters. The updated "sponsorship agreement" was announced in a press release from The Metals Company.

Former Black Ferns sevens player Shiray Kaka says one of the reasons she is learning Samoan is to pass on her heritage to her baby boy, who is due in August.

The former Flying Fijians captain, Waisea Nayacalevu, has announced his retirement from test rugby. Nayacalevu, 33, made the announcement through the Fiji Rugby Union in Suva.

A new report on the United States nuclear weapons testing legacy in the Marshall Islands highlights the lack of studies into important health concerns,

Hymns for the Feast of Pentecost today, including plainchant from the 9th century (Veni, Creator Spiritus) and the contemporary hymn Spirit of God, rest on your people by UK hymn writer Bernadette Farrell. Audio

Nick Tipping takes a look at some of the leading lights of jazz's rainbow community, including drummers Terri Lyne Carrington and Bill Stewart, singers Ma Rainey and Bessie Smith, pianists Fred Hersch and Billy Tipton, and NZ's own Eilish Wilson. Audio

New Zealand musician Leah Thomas talks to RNZ Concert from New York about her just completed arts management course, and the mindful book that came out of it. Audio

Bruno Ravella is in Aotearoa to direct a brand new production of Puccini's La bohème for NZ Opera. Audio

Once he was a second violinist in the Auckland Youth Orchestra. Now Tony Yan Tong Chen is the piano soloist for the orchestra's next concert. Audio

Congratulations to Peter de Blois, who has been made an Officer of the New Zealand Order of Merit for services to music in this year's King's Birthday Honours List. Audio