Concerts & live events

Journey – Celtic Pipe Band

Nelson Centre of Musical Arts 48 Nile St, Nelson, New Zealand

Join the Celtic Pipe Band Nelson display an afternoon of entertainment, with performances of both traditional and contemporary music from the past and present - featuring special musicians and dancers you are sure to go on a journey.

Rocky Horror Picture Show Shadowcast

Nelson Centre of Musical Arts 48 Nile St, Nelson, New Zealand

50 years ago, a story was told about the fateful night a newly engaged couple's car broke down on a stormy night and they went to a nearby castle to call for help. The events that followed and the people they met is something they will remember... for a very... long... time. Don't miss the […]

Nelson Symphony Orchestra presents: The Rule of 3

Nelson Centre of Musical Arts 48 Nile St, Nelson, New Zealand

Beethoven meets Gareth Farr in a triple concerto showdown featuring NZTrio, alongside Ukranian composer Myroslav Skoryk's famed Hutsul Triptych and Melody. Conducted by James Donaldson, Director of the Nelson Centre of Musical Arts. Pre Concert Talk by Jason Balla 6.30 - 7.00pm (open to all) Concert Programme: Skoryk: Melody Beethoven: Triple Concerto Interval Skoryk: Hutsul […]

I Can Do It – Kath Bee & Suzy Cato

Nelson Centre of Musical Arts 48 Nile St, Nelson, New Zealand

I Can Do It! is a song/story about the power of positive thinking, resilience, persistence and helping each other.  Kids of all ages will love it!  Join much loved entertainers Suzy Cato and Kath Bee as they get you moving and grooving, singing and dancing (and sprinkling sunshine)! Adored NZ icon Suzy Cato has been the […]

Lunchtime Concert: Elisha Hobbs

Nelson Centre of Musical Arts 48 Nile St, Nelson, New Zealand

To celebrate the 10 year anniversary of the release of her debut E.P. “Never Going Back” recorded in our grand Auditorium, Elisha Hobbs returns to record her 2023 live album as part of our lunchtime concert series. This is a unique opportunity to join her audience as part of a special historic event for both […]

Summer Lounge: We Three

Nelson Centre of Musical Arts 48 Nile St, Nelson, New Zealand

We Three are made up of the musical talents of Trudi Wilson (vocals and keys) and Luke Wilkes (guitar) and Jim Boyden (percussion). This jazzy, soulful and dynamic threesome has a special knack of taking modern songs and gracefully ageing them, plus grabbing older songs and giving them a new and fresh twist. This is […]

Reimagine 70s Edition

Nelson Centre of Musical Arts 48 Nile St, Nelson, New Zealand

The Vocal Collective was described on RNZ Today as “The single, most magnificent thing to come out of the earthquakes”.  This contemporary music choir has gone from strength to strength and is back in Nelson by popular demand. Imagine… a whole collection of songs that populated the airwaves throughout the 1970s: The Beatles, Billy Joel, […]

Lunchtime Concert: Mike Ford

Nelson Centre of Musical Arts 48 Nile St, Nelson, New Zealand

Fresh from the 2023 National Band of New Zealand's Australian concert tour, Mike Ford will present a varied program of Tenor Horn music, accompanied by Louis Lucas-Perry. The repertoire includes beautiful melodies and technically brilliant pieces that will leave you wanting for more. Mike is the most well known proponent of the Tenor Horn in the […]

Force of Nature: Celebrating 100 Years of Forest & Bird

Nelson Centre of Musical Arts 48 Nile St, Nelson, New Zealand

NZTrio + Friends A gorgeous, rejuvenating evening of chamber music and taonga puoro celebrating the conservation work of Forest & Bird. Featuring performances from NZTrio, Peter Scholes, Bridget Douglas, Rob Thorne and Yoshiko Tsuruta.   Supported by: Nelson Magazine

Couch Stories

Nelson Centre of Musical Arts 48 Nile St, Nelson, New Zealand

True Stories told live without pictures or notes: Couch Stories is back with the much-loved couch, and all new stories. These tales walk all paths of life, centred around this  year's theme, "Arrivals and Departures"

Lunchtime Concert: Duo Enharmonics

Nelson Centre of Musical Arts 48 Nile St, Nelson, New Zealand

Prepare to be spellbound by the energising performance of Duo Enharmonics, the dynamic classical piano team hailing from New Zealand. Comprised of the extraordinary talents of Beth Chen and Nicole Chao, their partnership breathes new life into the classical music scene, delivering virtuosic and emotionally exhilarating programs that will leave you in awe. The sheer […]

Lunchtime Concert: Beethoven and Faure

Nelson Centre of Musical Arts 48 Nile St, Nelson, New Zealand

Christchurch-based musicians Tomas Hurnik and Anna Maksymova team up to present a varied program for cello and piano, focusing on two composers whose styles couldn’t be more different: Beethoven and Faure. From crisp energetic early Beethoven’s cello sonata to the lush harmonies and achingly beautiful cello melodies in Faure, there’s something to please everyone.

NZTrio presents Homeland 3

Nelson Centre of Musical Arts 48 Nile St, Nelson, New Zealand

Vitĕzslav Novák - Piano Trio No. 2, Quasi una ballata Ernest Bloch - Three Nocturnes Frank Martin - Trio sur des mélodies populaires irlandaises - Interval - Ross Harris (New commission) - Prendre ses rêves pour des réalités Antonín Dvořák - Piano Trio No. 4 in E minor, Op. 90 ‘Dumky’ Prepare to be swept away by the heartfelt melodies […]

Lunchtime Concert: Louis Lucas-Perry

Nelson Centre of Musical Arts 48 Nile St, Nelson, New Zealand

Beethoven Sonata “Les Adieux” Op. 81a Debussy Estampes Chopin Scherzo no. 3 in C sharp minor. Liszt Transcendental Etude no. 4 “Mazzepa”

A Cappella Christmas Concert

Nelson Cathedral Trafalgar Street, Nelson, New Zealand

Chroma Chamber Choir, under the direction of Pete Rainey, presents a new program with A Cappella Christmas music from more than 500 years. Fascinating collages, traditional songs and some brand-new arrangements will get you in the right mood for Christmas. You will hear many well-known melodies, but we have some wonderful musical discoveries ready, too. […]

A Cappella Christmas Concert

Nelson Cathedral Trafalgar Street, Nelson, New Zealand

Chroma Chamber Choir, under the direction of Pete Rainey, presents a new program with A Cappella Christmas music from more than 500 years. Fascinating collages, traditional songs and some brand-new arrangements will get you in the right mood for Christmas. You will hear many well-known melodies, but we have some wonderful musical discoveries ready, too. […]

Lunchtime Concert: Norwegian Wood

Nelson Centre of Musical Arts 48 Nile St, Nelson, New Zealand

Two Folk Dances on Hardanger Fiddle followed by Greig's piano version Opus 72. Sonata for Violin and Piano No. 1 by Greig. John Tomson returned to NZ in 2009 after 25 years in the USA.  He is the concert master of the Nelson Symphony Orchestra.  

Nelson Symphony Orchestra presents: Exuberance

Nelson Centre of Musical Arts 48 Nile St, Nelson, New Zealand

Rossini - Mozart - Mendelssohn Get caught up in the energy and excitement of this programme featuring two Italian-linked works plus a Mozart Piano Concerto with soloist Dierdre Irons. Programme: Rossini: Overture to The Italian Girl in Algiers Mozart: Piano Concerto No 23, K488 Interval Mendelssohn: Italian Symphony  

Gala Dinner

Trafalgar Centre Paru Paru Road, Nelson

Adam Chamber Music Festival always begins with a Gala Dinner – a chance to gather for an evening of delicious food and fine wine, and indulge in a sampler of selected festival musical gems. This year, the Gala features the Takács Quartet, New Zealand String Quartet, clarinettist James Campbell and contrabass virtuoso Hiroshi Ikematsu.

Adam Chamber Music Festival 2024 Pass

Nelson Centre of Musical Arts 48 Nile St, Nelson, New Zealand

New Zealand's International Chamber Music Festival Every two years we host a 10 day international festival of wonderful chamber music in Nelson – a desirable regional town at the top of New Zealand’s South Island – surrounded by national parks and famous for its boutique vineyards, fresh produce and relaxed lifestyle. The Adam Chamber Music […]

Grand Opening

Nelson Centre of Musical Arts 48 Nile St, Nelson, New Zealand

Our special guests the Takács Quartet open the festival with one of Haydn’s sunniest quartets. Next, James Campbell (clarinet), Sergey Malov (viola), Izabella Simon (piano) present Schumann's set of four fairy tales. Written late in his life, the works show his mastery of whimsy and emotion. Clara Schumann remarked in her diary, “Today Robert completed […]

Meet The Artists

Nelson Centre of Musical Arts 48 Nile St, Nelson, New Zealand

Co-Artistic Director Helene Pohl chats to Edward Dusinberre, Harumi Rhodes and Richard O’Neill from the Takács Quartet about their lives and careers. Formed in 1975, the Takács are one of the world’s great string quartets. As well as performing together, each of the musicians have impressive careers as soloists, chamber musicians, and, for Edward, as […]

1919/2023

Nelson Centre of Musical Arts 48 Nile St, Nelson, New Zealand

1919 links two of this concert’s works with Rebecca Clarke’s sumptuous viola sonata and Arnold Bax's elegiac quintet for harp and strings both written in that same year. Between these two works, we hear a brand-new festival commission by New Zealand's Claire Cowan.   Clarke – Viola Sonata – Richard O’Neill (viola), Dénes Várjon (piano) […]

New Worlds

Nelson Centre of Musical Arts 48 Nile St, Nelson, New Zealand

All three pieces in the programme were written far from their composers’ place of birth. Dvořák’s ebullient and joyful quintet was written in America, the same year as his symphony ‘From the New World’. For this performance, the New Zealand String Quartet are joined by violist Richard O’Neill from Takács Quartet. The second piece is […]

Meet The Artists

Nelson Centre of Musical Arts 48 Nile St, Nelson, New Zealand

Come and listen to two old friends, cellists András Fejér from the Takács Quartet and Rolf Gjelsten from the New Zealand String Quartet, discuss the early days of the Takács, Hungarian influences in their approach to music, and share stories from past meetings.   András is the last original member of Takács, having formed at […]

Dénes In Recital

Nelson Centre of Musical Arts 48 Nile St, Nelson, New Zealand

Audiences of Adam Chamber Music Festival know the astounding talent of ‘poet on the piano’ Dénes Várjon. Don’t miss this wonderful chance to hear him performing a programme of Bartók from his Hungarian homeland, as well as Beethoven's beloved Sonata Pathétique, Chopin's monumental Sonata in B Minor, and Listz’ dramatically passionate Sonetto 104 del Petracha. […]

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