Patrons unlikely to be refunded millions from festival
Organisers behind Bluesfest owe more than $23 million to ticket holders alone, with patrons appearing unlikely to get their money back.
Music
A popular Australian festival has been abruptly cancelled three weeks before it was due to begin, blaming poor ticket sales and rising production costs.
"A certain fun was had here with an awareness that the first violin is not always the logical star and that the other instruments have voices, too," writes reviewer ALANNA MACLEAN.
SARAH BYRNE reviews the Chamber Philharmonia Cologne concert at St Christopher’s Cathedral.
Music
Soprano Josephine has the Phantom covered
As the sun sets behind Sydney Opera House on March 27, Opera Australia will launch the global 40th anniversary celebrations of The Phantom of the Opera.
Music
At last, Sitsky’s waiting ‘major’ work will be heard
When harpist Alice Giles and her pianist husband Arnan Wiesel speak about the 2026 season of Harmonic Curves, there’s excitement and a sense of homecoming, reports arts editor HELEN MUSA.
Music
AO chief appoints new director of opera
The artistic director of the Copenhagen Opera Festival, Amy Lane, has been appointed director of opera at Opera Australia following an extensive national and international search.
"The music lifts it to another level emotionally, while the cast offer striking performances in this strong, well-presented story." LEN POWER reviews My Brilliant Career.
"The King’s Singers may have sung these songs thousands of times on other stages – but it felt like all those earlier shows were mere rehearsals for this special evening in Canberra," writes reviewer NICK HORN.
"It was a new experience, and a rare treat, to see and hear four harpsichords together on stage," writes reviewer IAN McLEAN.
LEN POWER reviews Vissi d’arte – Italian songs and arias in recital by Eleanor Greenwood, soprano, and Bradley Gilchrist, piano.
Composer and founder of the Griffyn Ensemble, mandolin player Michael Sollis is taking stock of a remarkable musical life in a free concert at the School of Music, reports HELEN MUSA.
GRAHAM McDONALD reviews the Phoenix Collective Quartet's first concert for the year.
"These works may have tested the performers, but both appeared relaxed and one could sense they were thoroughly enjoying playing together," writes music reviewer LEN POWER.
Jazz saxophonist John Mackey, who, after departing the ANU School of Music in June, has retrained and transformed himself into a real estate agent on the Sapphire Coast, reports HELEN MUSA.
Arts editor HELEN MUSA previews the upcoming visit by famed a cappella ensemble, The King’s Singers.
One of Canberra’s community music treasures, Maruki Community Orchestra, will celebrate its 20-year anniversary and the legacy of the late violist John Gould with a film screening and book launch on Sunday, reports HELEN MUSA.
Despite only being released in October , Taylor Swift's The Life of a Showgirl has been named the best-selling album globally for 2025.
THAYER PREECE reviews Rachmaninoff’s Rhapsody, a performance by the Australian Chamber Orchestra.
