BY STEPHANIE ESLAKE
In Canberra?
You should be – the Canberra International Music Festival kicks off with its Opening Gala tonight! It’s going to be a big week, packed with music from globally acclaimed performers until May 7.
The Opening Gala features Venezuela’s Simón Bolívar String Quartet, Canberra’s Lisa Moore, William Barton on the didgeridoo, the Luminescence Chamber Singers, and more. Catch up on our interview with composer Robert Davidson, whose work Betty Beaver Blaze will be premiered at this event.
There will also be an opportunity to Meet the Artists of the string quartet the following day, when you’ll be able to attend a free 30-minute Q&A followed by a masterclass with students from the ANU Open School of Music. Keep your learning hat on, because the same day you can Meet the Composer Frank Nuyts, Artistic Director Roland Peelman, and His Excellency Mr. Jean-Luc Bodson, Ambassador of Belgium.
Performances with the James Morrison Quartet, Sonya Lifschitz, and many more will take place across April 29 and 30; followed by a special event on May 1 at the High Court of Australia. The China Orient Orchestra will perform Red Dragon, featuring a selection of traditional music from regional China.
In a new piece commissioned for Benjamin Drury, the “last shards of light and the first whispers of night are drawn out of the double bass” played by young muso Rohan Dasika at the James Turrell Skyspace, every sunset from May 1-5.
Other events throughout the week showcase musicians from Ensemble Offspring, young prodigy Alexander Yau, Topology, the Canberra Youth Orchestra, along with a range of forum and educational events.
For the full program and to book your student (or free) tickets to some events, visit the Canberra International Music Festival website.
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