Farnham gala sells out as fans slam ‘outrageous’ prices
A gala tribute concert for John Farnham has sold out as fans of the music legend voice their disappointment at ticket prices.
Music
"What made this opera gala especially intriguing was that it marked the first time Cathy-Di Zhang and Helen Sherman had shared the stage. They clearly relished the opportunity," writes music reviewer BILL STEPHENS.
A show business icon has expressed gratitude after a tribute show was announced celebrating his music and raising vital funds for charity.
Snow Concert Hall is about to make a rare foray into opera this weekend with a planned gala featuring two of Australia’s most respected operatic stars, soprano Cathy-Di Zhang and mezzo soprano Helen Sherman, writes arts editor HELEN MUSA.
Music
Eisteddfod’s winning bands and orchestras
The Australian National Eisteddfod’s Bands & Orchestras event last week saw awards spread evenly across the competition, with six Platinum awards, 25 Gold, 32 Silver and 11 Bronze awards presented.
Music
Alasdair Stretch blends art song with sharp humour
Arts editor HELEN MUSA reviews Art Song Canberra: A Brief History of the Unrequited, a recital by baritone Alasdair Stretch who ventured from the Renaissance well into the 21st century.
Music
Spine-tingling beauty as a chord just hung in the air
"This was a superbly satisfying performance of a grand piece of music... with more than a few moments of spine-tingling beauty as a chord just hung in the air or a voice floated above," writes music reviewer GRAHAM McDONALD.
"From the opening Schubert setting of The Lord is My Shepherd the choir presented choral singing of high vocal quality with fine balance, excellent dynamic control and contrast, and pleasing clarity of diction," writes reviewer IAN McLEAN.
LEN POWER reviews Sea and Stars, Debussy and Gershwin, a performance by the Canberra Symphony Orchestra and the CSO Chorus.
Australia's biggest performing arts company Opera Australia has staged a major financial turnaround, returning to profit in 2025.
'Interwoven' by the Australian String Quartet at Gandel Hall was a "through-composed study of emotional nuance", weaving together strains from the quartet's history spanning 18th century to the 21st century, reviews NICK HORN.
Delta Goodrem has finished fourth at Eurovision, confounding hopes for a first Australian winner as Bulgaria soared to its maiden win.
"Rather than confining itself to classic big-band repertoire, Blamey Street Big Band specialises in re-inventing popular music genres by applying a swing beat," writes reviewer BILL STEPHENS.
SARAH BYRNE reviews a performance of Schubert’s Fantasy and Octet by the Australian Chamber Orchestra.
Singer Delta Goodrem has led Australia into the Eurovision final with a sparkling powerhouse vocal performance.
As Australia’s live music sector continues to shift away from large-scale festivals, Berry on the NSW South Coast is showing how smaller regional music events might help fill the gap.
Arts editor HELEN MUSA rocks up to a Queanbeyan Players' rehearsal in a local church hall as they prepared for their coming production of Les Misérables.
The Australian String Quartet is busy working up a program that combines the very new, the very old, some exciting Russian virtuosity and a dash of the romantic, writes HELEN MUSA.
The Australian National Eisteddfod is about to launch its 2026 season with Bands & Orchestras.
