Piers Lane, William Barton, Natsuko Yoshimoto, Daniel de Borah, Grace Clifford and Christian Li are set to headline in Townsville this month for the Australian Festival of Chamber Music, joining an extraordinary line-up of Australian musicians for the 30th anniversary of the acclaimed event.
NOTHING can stop the music, not this year! That’s the message from the organisers of the Australian Festival of Chamber Music in Townsville, the 10-day celebration of music that is celebrating its 30th anniversary in 2021 after being cancelled in 2020. The event will run from 23 July to 1 August.
While the Sydney COVID situation has thrown Artistic Director Kathryn Stott a huge challenge in replacing 19 artists over the past week, the silver lining is that audiences are set to hear from even more outstanding Australian musicians, and these musicians now have the opportunity to perform at one of the best chamber music events in the world.
In what has been a masterclass in programming under pressure, Stott has been able to repopulate the program, and maintain all concerts and concert titles, including staging two world premieres and four Australian premieres, with 21 artists now making their AFCM debut.
“In these extra-ordinary times, I’m so excited that the Festival is still going ahead! Many of our Sydney-based musicians have been caught in the current lockdown situation, and therefore the 2021 event, themed Carnival has re-emerged with adjustments to the program and artist line-up.”
“It’s amazing to find musicians willing to step up at such short notice, and in particular, to be enticed into as much of the original program as possible. I’ve been very touched by this incredible generosity of spirit. Everyone is determined to make this Festival a success and to make their way to Townsville despite everything.”
“With all disappointments come silver linings and so it’s heart-warming to extend invitations to more wonderful Australian artists who have not been to AFCM before. Patrons will now have an opportunity to witness the beginnings of new musical relationships igniting and this is always something very exciting. In these uncertain times, I know people will come together and enjoy everything Carnival has to offer. Musicians are giving this everything and the pay-off for our audience will be an experience of sublime music making.”
Musicians answering Stott’s call include seven from Melbourne, all making their AFCM debut: soprano saxophonist Joseph Callo, oboist Rachel Bullen, double bassist Jill Griffiths and four members of the Affinity Quartet, violinists Nicholas Waters and Josephine Chung, violist Ruby Shirres and cellist Mee Na Lojewski.
In wonderful casting, North Queensland-based mezzo soprano, director and actor, Alyssa Oliveri will host Immortal Beloved, the Australian premiere of Jessica Duchen’s Beethoven work on Thursday 29 July while ABC Classic’s Christopher Lawrence is replacing his colleague Russell Torrance as Festival concert host.
They join legendary Australian pianist and toast of the world’s great concert halls, Piers Lane (and former AFCM Artistic Director), internationally applauded didgeridoo star William Barton returning to the Festival to celebrate the milestone 30th anniversary with his own compositions, as well as Zoë Black (violin), Mark Gaydon (bassoon), Lloyd Van’t Hoff (clarinet), Timothy Young (piano), Natsuko Yoshimoto (violin), Daniel de Borah (piano) and a raft of fellow musical makers.
In thrilling news, when violin prodigy, 13-year old Christan Li performs in Townsville, he will make history as the youngest ever artist at AFCM. This will be the third time he has made history, the first was in 2018 when just 10 years old, he became the youngest performer to ever win the Yehudi Menuhin International Competition for Young Violinists in the Junior Category. He has also just become the youngest violinist ever to professionally record Vivaldi’s thrilling chamber work The Four Seasons, included on his new album of the same name, to be released on Decca Classics on 20th August, after the Festival.
Also attending is 22-year-old violinist Grace Clifford and 24-year-old Australian pianist Kevin Chow who will appear as part of his ABC Young Performers Award, while the Delma Winds ensemble, attending the AFCM’s Winterschool, now has the opportunity of a lifetime after being included in the Queens Gardens Concert on Sunday 25 July and the Sounds like Paradise Dinner on Magnetic Island on Tuesday 27 July.
Two world premieres cannot proceed – the AFCM-commissioned Nginda Ngarrini Bi Ngya by Deborah Cheetham AO on Friday 23 July and the Goldner Variations on ‘Ode to Joy’ on Saturday 24 July. Instead, both will be featured in the 2022 program. While the Festival won’t hear from the much-loved Goldner String Quartet and other Sydney-based musicians, the line-up and program remains world class.
Minister for the Arts Leeanne Enoch said arts and cultural experiences such as the Australian Festival of Chamber Music offer significant economic benefits for regional Queensland communities. “It’s great to see AFCM’s live music program return to Townsville, engaging the community, supporting regional development, and bringing joy to local audiences,” Minister Enoch said.
Tourism Minister Stirling Hinchliffe said the AFCM would boost Townsville’s growing reputation as a regional cultural tourism hub. “The Australian Festival of Chamber Music is an important event for the Townsville region’s tourism and small business operators, delivering thousands of visitor nights and millions of dollars to the local economy,” Mr Hinchliffe said. “It’s the hard work of Queenslanders against COVID-19 that means we’re able to bring the 30th anniversary event to Townsville for an unforgettable chamber music experience.
HOW TO GET THERE: TRAVEL PACKAGES TO TOWNSVILLE FOR THE AFCM
AFCM has partnered with SeaLink and Brilliant Travels to deliver three holiday packages priced from $380 per person and each featuring three nights’ accommodation and three concerts. Additional nights, extra concerts, day tours and more can be added, including the popular Magnetic Island concerts. The four AFCM holiday package hotels are quality properties in fabulous locations including The Ville Resort – Casino, Rydges Southbank, The Park Regis Anchorage and The Grand Chancellor. Visitors can choose from an Opening Weekend, Closing Weekend or mid-week Sunset package:
Ø Australian Festival of Chamber Music Opening Weekend Extravaganza: 23-26 July 2021
A hugely popular package with three favourite concerts included: the Festival Opening Night concert on Friday 23 July, Saturday morning’s Concert Conversations 1 and the Governor’s Gala concert featuring the world premiere and AFCM commission of Goldner Variations ‘Ode to Joy’ on 24 July. Priced from $456 per person twin share, less for AFCM Friends.
Ø Australian Festival of Chamber Music Sunset Spectacular: 27-30 July
The perfect package for newcomers or those keen to relax and unwind in the winter warmth. This package includes three nights’ accommodation and three 5pm Sunset Series concerts including Brilliant Baroque on 27 July and the Australian premiere of Immortal Beloved on 28 July. Priced from $380 per person twin share, less for AFCM Friends.
Ø Australian Festival of Chamber Music Closing Weekend Indulgence: 30 July – 2 August
Soak up the exuberance of the festival’s closing weekend with this package that includes Friday night’s Wild Spirit concert, the final Concert Conversations on Saturday morning and the hugely entertaining Festival Farewell concert on Saturday evening, 31 July. Priced from $440 per person twin share, less for AFCM Friends.
Australian Festival of Chamber Music
23 July to 1 August 2021 in Townsville, North Queensland
General public tickets, passes and holiday packages on sale now.
www.afcm.com.au | Facebook | Instagram | Twitter | #afcm2021
AFCM principal partners include: Queensland Government through Tourism and Events Queensland and Arts Queensland, and Townsville City Council. The Australian Festival of Chamber Music is supported by the Queensland Government, through Tourism and Events Queensland, and features on the It’s Live! In Queensland events calendar, which is expected to deliver $215 million for the state’s economy in the first half of 2021.
.jpg){kind=tracking}