This annual event has become a happy meeting place for Australian and overseas visitors
who enjoy the opportunity to hear and meet international musicians in a wonderfully inviting
winter setting. It has gained an enviable international reputation for the quality of its music
making and warm social interactions.
popular with audiences in previous years the Goldner String Quartet, Michael Kieran
Harvey, Vernon Hill, Alexander Ivashkin, Jack Liebeck, Hamish Milne and Miki Tsunoda. They
will be augmented by a host of exciting artists new to Townsville. It is also a joy to welcome
back the ladies of the Australian String Quartet, who, in their previous incarnation as the
Tankstream Quartet, undertook our Outback Tour as young artists. It is a great privilege to
have Carl Vine resident with us this year. As one of Australia's pre-eminent composers and
Artistic Director of Musica Viva, his presence will inspire artists and audiences alike.
recognise particularly the music of Olivier Messiaen to mark the centenary of his birth.
Music and Words will be an underlying theme of this festival, with a play and an illustrated
talk among entertaining highlights designed to reveal more about composers, musicians and
the music presented. Collaborations with Dancenorth, Tropic Sun Theatre and the Barrier
Reef Orchestra will be special pleasures. I am also thrilled that the ABC has decided to
broadcast live the Governor's Gala concert.
and patronage of many enlightened individuals and organisations both government and
corporate. Thank you to all concerned and to all the devoted friends who regularly support
our festival. I look forward enormously to our conversations during the next ten days. But
I am also delighted to welcome first-timers and trust that you are in for a musical and
personal treat.
Artistic Director