Podcast The Magpie House visits a hugely influential residence - a podcast by RNZ

It's easy to miss Lilburn House in Wellington's well-heeled suburb of Thorndon, but the former home of foremost New Zealand composer Douglas Lilburn has a rich if, until now, not particularly well known history. The story actually intersects with one we ran on Standing Room Only last week - that of hugely influential thespian Maria Dronke who came to Aotearoa with her famlly after being forced to leave Nazi Germany. Lilburn House became a meeting place for many migrants like Maria, migrants who had a huge influence - culturally and artistically - on their new home country. These days it's a residence for composers, run by the Lilburn Residence Trust. Kirsten Johnstone has investigated the history of the house - and those who gathered there - for a podcast called The Magpie House. Lynn Freeman talks to Kirsten about it, and also to Maria Dronke's proud grandson - musician and writer Nick Bollinger.

Further episodes of Standing Room Only

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