Des Wilson
Elric Hooper
Theatre director and broadcaster Elric Hooper talks with Des Wilson about his life and his career in the performing arts Audio
Galina Vishnevskaya - A Tribute
Roger Flury and Des Wilson discuss the extraordinary life and career of the Russian soprano who survived childhood poverty, disease, the siege of Leningrad, political persecution and even exile to… Audio
The Rake's Progress by Stravinsky
A 1947 Chicago exhibition of William Hogarth's sequence of paintings depicting "A Rake's Progress" inspired Stravinsky to compose an opera. With a clever English libretto by WH Auden & Chester… Audio, Gallery
War Records
Des Wilson looks at the British gramophone industry's contribution to the war effort 100 years ago (RNZ). Audio
Harmonies of Horticulture
Elric Hooper and Des Wilson look at the history of gardens and their reflections in music (RNZ) Audio
South Pacific
Elric Hooper and Des Wilson look at the history of Rodgers and Hammerstein's great musical. Audio
Tosca
Musical thriller or grand opera? Melodramatic masterpiece or shabby little shocker? Elric Hooper and Des Wilson look at Puccini's 1900 setting of the story of the singer, the painter and the chief of… Audio
Albeniz - Fact or Fiction
Elric Hooper and Des Wilson explore the life and times of Isaac Albeniz, pianist and composer. Audio
Winnaretta Singer (1865-1943) - Part Two: Between the Wars
The Parisian salon hostess La Princesse de Polignac was an American heiress to the vast Singer Sewing Machine fortune. Winnaretta Singer married into the French nobility and became an important… Audio
Winnaretta Singer (1865-1943) - Part One: La Belle Epoque
The Parisian salon hostess La Princesse de Polignac was an American heiress to the vast Singer Sewing Machine fortune. Winnaretta Singer married into the French nobility and became an important… Audio
Dame Joan Sutherland (1926-2010)
The extraordinary voice and career of the Australian soprano known as La Stupenda. Audio
Baritones
Elric Hooper & Des Wilson look at 200 years of star status of the baritone voice. Audio
The fanciful adventures of Don Quixote
The fanciful adventures of Cervantes' deluded knight Don Quixote and his hapless squire Sancho Panza have inspired painters, filmmakers, composers and philosophers ever since the Spanish Golden Age… Audio, Gallery
Lord Berners - Exemplary English Eccentric
Elric Hooper and Des Wilson guide us through the composing career of one of England's more unusual composers. Audio
Oh! What a Lovely War
Elric Hooper and Des Wilson tell the story of Joan Littlewood's 1963 satirical stage show on the First World War. Audio
Peter Ustinov (1921-2004)
Elric Hooper and Des Wilson look at the extraordinary background and life of the award-winning English actor and dramatist Peter Ustinov (RNZ) Audio
Richard Farrell - New Zealand pianist
New Zealand pianist Richard Farrell was enjoying a successful international career until he was killed in a car accident at the age of 31. Peter Mechen and guests look back at Farrell's achievements.
…Twang!!
Lionel Bart shot an arrow into the air with his 1965 musical Twang!! The show was based on the story of Robin Hood and has gone down in history as one of the greatest flops ever. Elric Hooper and Des… Audio
Roger Flury
Just before returning to the UK after 40 years in New Zealand, Roger Flury (music librarian, historian and broadcaster) spoke with Des Wilson. Audio
Christoph Willibald Gluck (1714-1787)
Elric Hooper and Des Wilson explore some of the operas of this prolific composer. Audio