Adam Chamber Music Festival

18/05/2026

Lovely to see violinist Mana Waiariki (violinist, Antipodes Quartet) as a Fellow at the Michael Hill International Violin Competition.

As part of the Insider Guides series, Mana will be talking with composer Selina Fisher about her commission for the 2026 competition, 'Chasm', that all 16 finalists entrant must perform.

Queenstown Competition Programme 29 May - 1 June 2026 Every three years, Queenstown hosts the Michael Hill International Violin Competition’s thrilling quarter-finals. Sixteen extraordinary young violinists aged 18 to 26 are flown to Aotearoa New Zealand from across the globe to showcase their vir...

17/05/2026

Of course, we all know this already...

https://limelight-arts.com.au/news/the-arts-good-for-what-ails-you/

A new report suggests that regular engagement with the arts is as effective as physical exercise when it comes to slowing the ageing process.

13/05/2026

This year, Michael Hill International Violin Competition is celebrating a quarter-century of the “Michael Hill”.

We're thrilled with our partnership over the last few years that has bought past winners to the Adam Chamber Music Festival - Nikki Chooi, Sergey Malov and Natalia Lomeiko have all been a delight!

And in a few weeks, 16 of the world’s most promising next-generation violinists will present their solo and piano-accompanied recital programmes in Queenstown before selection for het semi-finals in Auckland.

Queenstown quarter-finals: Rounds I and II, 29 May to 1 June (Kings Birthday Weekend). There's also a 25th Silver Anniversary Gala Dinner and concert with performances by violinists Josef Špaček (2009 Competition winner) and New Zealand's own Geneva Lewis.

From Queenstown to Auckland: The violin competition reaches its pinnacle at the Auckland Town Hall, for the chamber music semi-finals (Round III, 3 and 4 June) and the electric Grand Final on Saturday 6 June.

COMPETITORS Judges TICKETS ON SALE Beautiful music in the most beautiful place on earth… Audiences across Aotearoa, New Zealand, welcome the return of the triennial Michael Hill International Violin Competition. Sixteen outstanding young violinists, selected by audition, travel to Queenstown and A...

11/05/2026

You may have read the news the a incredibly rare 1719 Stradivari viola has broken the world record for the most expensive stringed instrument ever sold.

The new owner is the Stretton Society, a philanthropic network that aims to grant “exceptional artists access to exquisite instruments”. They have loaned the instrument to Amihai Grosz, Principal Violist of the Berlin Philharmonic.

Here's an explanation from violist David Aaron Carpenter about what makes this particular instrument so special (this video was made in 20214, when the asking price at auction was $45m USD).

https://youtu.be/TxeCpFOkrto?si=84dh0fTc9SKUnfZ

Learn more about the greatest viola in existence, created by Antonio Stradivari in 1719. This exquisitely preserved and extremely rare viola is one of only t...

07/05/2026

Wonderful news from New Zealand Opera with the announcement of Claire Cowan as the 2026 Friedlander Foundation Associate Artist - Claire is the very first composer Associate.

Adam Chamber Music Festival has a long history with Claire, including in 2019 with NZTrio performing 'Ultra Violet', commissioned by Chamber Music New Zealand. Such a wonderful sparkling piece!

Claire wrote: "I learned that the mantis shrimp can see more colours than any creature on earth. Ultra violet vision (at one far end of the colour spectrum) is only known to a few humans on Earth. But many birds and insects possess this quality. It
is innate to their survival and navigation systems. This piece explores my continued fascination with the seemingly simple yet endlessly complex, through the growth and development of a single musical statement."

You can read more about the Claire's appointment at NZ Opera here:
https://nzopera.com/the-2026-friedlander-foundation-associate-artist/

https://youtu.be/2C6fbR4f3sQ?si=EHiOdfzKcrhhSr3X

Claire Cowan’s ‘Ultra Violet’ is performed by in this Resound film from the 2017 Adam Chamber Music Festival. The work is predicated on the ability o...

04/03/2026

You have until tomorrow (we extended it to Fri 6 March) to fill out the Adam survey, and be in the draw for a double passe to the Grand Opening Concert 2028 as well as a double pass to Bach By Candlelight 2028. Considering that these concerts always sell out, we think it's a fantastic incentive!

You feedback is truly useful and well appreciated. We use it to influence all kinds of things like programming, funding applications and reporting back to sponsors, as well as encouraging new supporters. You really are being heard.

https://survey.alchemer.com/s3/8668031/Adam-Chamber-Music-Festival-2026-post-event-survey?fbclid=IwY2xjawQVkvlleHRuA2FlbQIxMQBzcnRjBmFwcF9pZBAyMjIwMzkxNzg4MjAwODkyAAEe8m4ue7QL4PumGbO1Y-4W3G8mVzknrZzvwJFW3mqDaZOciExXj0bkXEnAbm4_aem_WG_AdXSTk_qvhK-bh6yTiw

Adam Chamber Music Festival 2026 post-event survey.

22/02/2026

A little taster of NZTrio rehearsing Island Songs by Ioannis (John) Psathas. For the concert at Nelson Centre of Musical Arts , Amalia May and Matthias Balzat will be joined by guest pianist Stephen De Pledge.

Groove Café boasts a programme of local flavour and international intrigue:
- John Psathas’ Island Songs: Brings the sun, surf, and a dash of Kiwi cool to the stage - no sunscreen required.
- Eliodoro Sollima’s Tre movimenti: A piece that keeps the audience guessing, leaping from atonal intrigue to melodic surprises faster than you can say “cin cin.”
- Vivian Fung’s Ominous Machine: A kinetic work that whirs, glitches, and grooves like a favourite gadget on a caffeine rush.
- Nikolai Kapustin’s Divertissement: The ultimate musical cocktail to close the show - equal parts classical poise and jazz swagger, shaken (not stirred) into four sparkling movements.

“We really love putting our Groove Café programmes together. It’s a really fun combo of rhythmic, jazzy, and eye-opening pieces by composers from Aotearoa and beyond.” says the ensemble. “Our audiences loved our 2025 summer series so we’re excited to be back again with a fresh new programme of works this year.”

NZTrio He Taonga Wairere: Groove Café
NCMA Recital Room
Friday 27 February 2026
6pm
Tickets available at https://ncma.nz/event/nztrio-groove-cafe/

https://youtu.be/f2r24IYysao?si=BdkbNUVK94Zfkj-k

Join us for our 2026 Groove Café concerts! John Psathas’ Island Songs bring sun, surf, and a dash of Kiwi cool - no sunscreen required. Then you’re kept gues...

14/02/2026

If you're feeling a little glum after the dizzying heights of the 2026 Adam, we highly recommend the two Finale Concerts by students at this year's Adam Summer School.

Think about the Antipodes Quartet for instance - they're all alumni of the Adam Summer School - they're a massive testament to excellence.

Don't miss your chance to see the chamber music stars of tomorrow (as well as catching up with Gill and Martin from New Zealand String Quartet of course!).

Sunday 15 Feb at 3pm and 7pm.
Nelson Centre of Musical Arts

Experience the rising stars of chamber music at the Adam Summer School Finale Concerts. The Adam Summer School, run by the New Zealand String Quartet (NZSQ), is an annual, residential music programme for young violin, viola, cello and piano students. Each February, up to 30 aspiring musicians gather...

12/02/2026

If you came along to the Adam this year we'd love you to fill out the survey. You feedback is truly useful and well appreciated.

You'll also go into the draw for a double passes to the Grand Opening Concert as well as a double pass to Bach By Candlelight.

Deadline 5pm Friday 20 February.

Adam Chamber Music Festival 2026 post-event survey.

06/02/2026

Saturday 7 February
What's on today at the Adam:

- 9:30am - Masterclass with Jeremy Denk - FREE
- 2:00pm - From Gretchen to Gershwin: Michael Endres in Recital
- 6:15pm - Antipodes Quartet ll - FREE
- 7:30pm - Grand Finale

☀️