Richard Betts
@ricardaonz.bsky.social
Nasty, brutish and short. Arts columnist NZ Listener, other words elsewhere. Music with a soupçon of politics.
I'd just like one of them to know people who experience different lives to theirs. They have no conception of how other people live.
November 19, 2025 at 6:32 AM
I'd just like one of them to know people who experience different lives to theirs. They have no conception of how other people live.
I love the concerto; that opening is the unalloyed joy of a child splashing in puddles. And this is my favourite version.
November 17, 2025 at 6:13 PM
I love the concerto; that opening is the unalloyed joy of a child splashing in puddles. And this is my favourite version.
Me too, but especially Cary Grant films.
November 17, 2025 at 9:14 AM
Me too, but especially Cary Grant films.
Definitely yes for Philadelphia Story (even if Bringing Up Baby is my fabe)
November 17, 2025 at 8:48 AM
Definitely yes for Philadelphia Story (even if Bringing Up Baby is my fabe)
Ooh, hadn't heard that. The first track is wonderful: beautiful but itchy and full of unresolved chord changes.
November 17, 2025 at 5:22 AM
Ooh, hadn't heard that. The first track is wonderful: beautiful but itchy and full of unresolved chord changes.
No, I never saw him either. I remember the Flying Dutchman he appeared in (I was working in a classical record shop at the time) but Wagner's never been my jam and I didn't go.
November 16, 2025 at 3:12 AM
No, I never saw him either. I remember the Flying Dutchman he appeared in (I was working in a classical record shop at the time) but Wagner's never been my jam and I didn't go.
That's beautifully put.
November 16, 2025 at 3:10 AM
That's beautifully put.
I'm just this minute writing the Listener's obit, so if you have any personal recollections, let me know.
November 16, 2025 at 12:53 AM
I'm just this minute writing the Listener's obit, so if you have any personal recollections, let me know.
The violin concerto on that Ades disc is wonderful.
November 14, 2025 at 6:36 PM
The violin concerto on that Ades disc is wonderful.
Oh, that's sad. He was so underappreciated here in NZ. There will probably be a state funeral for Kiri Te Kanawa (and it'll be deserved), but I doubt this will make the news.
November 14, 2025 at 6:34 PM
Oh, that's sad. He was so underappreciated here in NZ. There will probably be a state funeral for Kiri Te Kanawa (and it'll be deserved), but I doubt this will make the news.
The most amazing thing about that photo? They're all still alive.
November 14, 2025 at 4:06 AM
The most amazing thing about that photo? They're all still alive.
Herald in "continuing to misreport a story they know they misreported in the first place" shock!
November 13, 2025 at 8:48 PM
Herald in "continuing to misreport a story they know they misreported in the first place" shock!
All right then, I will.
November 11, 2025 at 6:52 AM
All right then, I will.
I'll bring the theorbo!
November 11, 2025 at 6:07 AM
I'll bring the theorbo!
I'm liking this post, but don't think for a second it's because I approve.
November 11, 2025 at 5:32 AM
I'm liking this post, but don't think for a second it's because I approve.
Who knew Klemperer was so tall?
November 11, 2025 at 5:25 AM
Who knew Klemperer was so tall?
Genuinely thought I was watching ice hockey at first
November 10, 2025 at 6:12 AM
Genuinely thought I was watching ice hockey at first
The kakapo don't care either way, they just want to be left alone.
November 10, 2025 at 2:24 AM
The kakapo don't care either way, they just want to be left alone.
Aww, man. I never thought it would happen, etc.
November 9, 2025 at 7:30 AM
Aww, man. I never thought it would happen, etc.
Lotto is $45m this week. Just saying.
November 9, 2025 at 7:29 AM
Lotto is $45m this week. Just saying.