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Cairns-Gimuy, QLD
Starts 23 July 2027
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Relive the 2026 Festival Program

Relive the 2026 Festival Program

Wednesday July 29

AFCM Concert Conversations begin each morning with Artistic Director Jack Liebeck in conversation with guest Festival artists, sharing stories and insights from their musical journeys. Each session is followed by a 45-minute performance, with tea and coffee served.

Tickets start from $30 for patrons under 30 years of age and $89 for AFCM Friends.

* Excludes bookings fees.

SUBSCRIPTION INFORMATION

  • Included in Gold and Gold Plus Subscriptions 
  • Available for selection in Silver & Silver Plus Subscriptions 

Concert Details

INTERVIEW
Interview Guests
Jackie Newcomb, Charlotte Miles, Dene Olding AM, Irina Morozova, Kristian Chong

MICHAEL GARSON
Ballade
Jackie Newcomb, Kristian Chong

HENRY MANCINI (Johnny Mercer)
Moon River fr. Breakfast at Tiffany's
Julian Smiles, Christian-Pierre La Marca, Charlotte Miles, Isang Enders

WOLFGANG AMADEUS MOZART
Sinfonia Concertante for violin and viola in E-flat major, K. 364, movt. 2
Dene Olding AM, Doretta Balkizas, Alexandra Raikhlina, Irina Morozova, Stefanie Farrands, Benjamin Roskams, Julian Smiles, Leon Bosch, Emmanuel Cassimatis, Gahyun Lee, Stefan Dohr, Jude Austen Kaupe

HARRY SDRAULIG
Cantilena
Joshua Batty, Dene Olding AM, Jack Liebeck, Irina Morozova, Charlotte Miles, Kristian Chong

GUSTAV MAHLER
Piano Quartet in A minor
Dene Olding AM, Benjamin Roskams, Christian-Pierre La Marca, Kristian Chong

AFCM International Public Masterclasses offer audiences a rare behind-the-scenes insight into the creative process, as AFCM Pathways Program participants work one-on-one with world-class Festival artists. Open to the public, these sessions explore interpretation, technique and musical storytelling in real time, culminating in a special Pathways Showcase concert on Friday 31 July at Bulmba-Ja, at 2:00pm.

AFCM International Public Masterclasses are FREE to attend and open to the general public, Seating is strictly limited.

Concert Details

Masterclass

From coral reefs to turtle sanctuaries and crocodile habitats, Green Island plays a vital role in protecting Tropical North Queensland’s fragile marine ecosystems. In this engaging presentation, Bekki Hull explores local biodiversity, conservation efforts on Sea Country, and how science, tourism and environmental stewardship work together to safeguard the reef for future generations.


Tickets start from $30 for patrons under 30 years of age and $41 for AFCM Friends.

* Excludes bookings fees.

SUBSCRIPTION INFORMATION

  • Included in Gold Plus Subscriptions Only
  • Available for selection in Silver & Silver Plus Subscriptions 

Concert Details

SAM WU
Dolphin Song
Jennifer Li, Charlotte He, Hannah Grogan

Lecture
Bekki Hull

Two of AFCM’s Artistic Directors, past and present, come together for an afternoon recital of violin and piano classics. Jack Liebeck is joined by Australia’s beloved pianist and AFCM’s previous Artistic Director, Piers Lane, for a program featuring Elgar and Brahms.

This concert is dedicated to the memory of supreme Violist and AFCM artist, Simon Oswell who tragically passed away in May 2026.


Tickets start from $30 for patrons under 30 years of age and $69 for AFCM Friends.


* Excludes bookings fees.


SUBSCRIPTION INFORMATION

  • Included in Gold and Gold Plus Subscriptions 
  • Available for selection in Silver & Silver Plus Subscriptions 

Concert Details

JOHANNES BRAHMS
Sonata No. 3 in D minor for Violin and Piano, Op. 108
Jack Liebeck, Piers Lane AO

SAM WU
Travelogues
Jack Liebeck, Piers Lane AO

EDWARD ELGAR
Sonata for Violin and Piano in E minor, Op. 82
Jack Liebeck, Piers Lane AO

6:30 pm Esplanade

Pathways Pop-Up

Concert Details

In this humanistic ode to nature, French cellist Christian-Pierre La Marca presents a packed multimedia programme on the theme of saving the planet. Featuring epic cinematography of our beautiful world by Yann Arthus-Bertrand and works by Fauré, Strauss, Glass, Saint-Saëns, Weill, Dvořák, Einaudi, and Tchaikovsky, you will be blown away!


Tickets start from $30 for patrons under 30 years of age and $86 for AFCM Friends.


* Excludes bookings fees.


SUBSCRIPTION INFORMATION

  • Included in Gold and Gold Plus Subscriptions 
  • Available for selection in Silver & Silver Plus Subscriptions 

Concert Details

JOHANN SEBASTIAN BACH
Suite No. 1 in G major for Cello, BWV 1007 - Prelude
Christian-Pierre La Marca

GABRIEL FAURE
Après un Rêve for cello, piano and string orchestra, arr. Gassot/La Marca
Christian-Pierre La Marca, Doretta Balkizas, Dimity Hall, Dene Olding AM, Jack Liebeck, Stefanie Farrands, Charlotte Miles, Leon Bosch, Kristian Chong

FAZIL SAY
Sonata for cello and piano (Four Cities) - Sivas, Hopa
Christian-Pierre La Marca, Kristian Chong

ANTONÍN DVORAK
Silent Woods (From The Bohemian Forest) for cello, piano and string orchestra
Christian-Pierre La Marca, Doretta Balkizas, Dimity Hall, Dene Olding AM, Jack Liebeck, Stefanie Farrands, Charlotte Miles, Leon Bosch, Kristian Chong

ARIEL RAMIREZ
Alfonsina y el Mar for cello and piano
Christian-Pierre La Marca, Kristian Chong

CAMILLE SAINT-SAËNS
“The Swan” for cello, piano and strings
Christian-Pierre La Marca, Doretta Balkizas, Dimity Hall, Dene Olding AM, Jack Liebeck, Stefanie Farrands, Charlotte Miles, Leon Bosch, Kristian Chong

NIKOLAI RIMSKY-KORSAKOV
Flight of the Bumblebee for cello and piano
Christian-Pierre La Marca, Kristian Chong

PHILIP GLASS
The Hours - The Poet Acts for cello and string orchestra
Christian-Pierre La Marca, Doretta Balkizas, Dimity Hall, Dene Olding AM, Jack Liebeck, Stefanie Farrands, Charlotte Miles, Leon Bosch

HENRY MANCINI (Johnny Mercer)
Moon River arr. Gassot/La Marca for cello and string orchestra
Christian-Pierre La Marca, Doretta Balkizas, Dimity Hall, Dene Olding AM, Jack Liebeck, Stefanie Farrands, Charlotte Miles, Leon Bosch

LUDOVICO EINAUDI
I giorni arr. Gassot/La Marca for cello and string orchestra
Christian-Pierre La Marca, Doretta Balkizas, Dimity Hall, Dene Olding AM, Jack Liebeck, Stefanie Farrands, Charlotte Miles, Leon Bosch

NILS FRAHM
Wintermusik Ambre arr. Gassot/La Marca for cello and string orchestra
Christian-Pierre La Marca, Doretta Balkizas, Dimity Hall, Dene Olding AM, Jack Liebeck, Stefanie Farrands, Charlotte Miles, Leon Bosch

ERNEST BLOCH
Prayer for cello and strings
Christian-Pierre La Marca, Doretta Balkizas, Dimity Hall, Dene Olding AM, Jack Liebeck, Stefanie Farrands, Charlotte Miles, Leon Bosch

HAROLD ARLEN
“Over The Rainbow” arr. Gassot/La Marca for cello and string orchestra
Christian-Pierre La Marca, Doretta Balkizas, Dimity Hall, Dene Olding AM, Jack Liebeck, Stefanie Farrands, Charlotte Miles, Leon Bosch

ASTOR PIAZZOLLA
Libertango with ensemble
Christian-Pierre La Marca, Doretta Balkizas, Dimity Hall, Dene Olding AM, Jack Liebeck, Stefanie Farrands, Charlotte Miles, Leon Bosch, Kristian Chong

BOB THIELE (George David Weiss)
What A Wonderful World arr. Gassot/La Marca for cello and string orchestra
Christian-Pierre La Marca, Doretta Balkizas, Dimity Hall, Dene Olding AM, Jack Liebeck, Stefanie Farrands, Charlotte Miles, Leon Bosch