Brigid O'Meeghan on her 60-year career as a cellist

After a relationship of many years, Brigid O'Meeghan is breaking up with "Mr Fent." But she's still hanging out with "Jamie".

"Mr Fent" is the name of the cello she played when she was at work with the New Zealand Symphony Orchestra, while "Jamie" was O'Meeghan's cello around the house.

O'Meeghan's retirement from the NZSO means the end of her close relationship with "Mr Fent," who stays with the band.

She spoke with RNZ Concert's Bryan Crump about her 60-year career as a cellist, which began in New Zealand, took her to London and brought her home via Hong Kong.

But while O'Meeghan (who joined the NZSO in 1989) no longer gets to play with "Mr Fent," she has no plans to stop making music. She will continue to teach cello, with a bit of help from "Jamie".

Retiring from the orchestra will also leave her with more time for her other musical pursuit: choral singing.