2026 Festival Program
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2026 Festival Program
Saturday July 25
10:00 am CPAC Studio
AFCM Concert Conversations 1
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
Alexander Sitkovetsky, Isang Enders, Qian Wu, Alexandra Raikhlina
VITTORIO MONTI
Csárdás
Qian Wu, Alexander Sitkovetsky
KURTÁG
Sonatina: transcribed fr JS Bach, Cantata BWV 106
Qian Wu, Piers Lane AO
CLAUDE DEBUSSY
“Clair de lune” arr. cello and guitar
Karin Schaupp, Isang Enders
SERGEI PROKOFIEV
Sonata in D major for Flute and String Quartet, Op. 94, arr. Lee Bradshaw
Joshua Batty, Jack Liebeck, Alexandra Raikhlina, Stefanie Farrands, Isang Enders
3:00 pm Bulmba-Ja Theatre
AFCM Illuminates 1 - The Sherlock Holmes of the Violin World, with Florian Leonhard
Renowned violin expert Florian Leonhard takes audiences inside the hidden world of historic instruments, revealing how he authenticates, investigates and uncovers the true identities of some of history’s most important violins. This fascinating talk explores the craftsmanship, mysteries and human stories behind the world’s great instruments.
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
Lecture
Florian Leonhard
Featured Artists
3:00 pm Fogarty Gardens
Corde di Vivaldi a Cairns AFCM Community Culture Program Italian Festival Collaboration
Concert Details
ANTONIO VIVALDI
Concerto in D major for Guitar and String Quartet, RV 93
Karin Schaupp, Dene Olding AM, Dimity Hall, Irina Morozova, Christian-Pierre La Marca
As the sun sets in Cairns-Gimuy and we embrace the gloaming light, listen to breathtaking music of the night - featuring songs from the pen of Lennox Berkeley, dreamy Arvo Pärt, nocturnal Bloch, and breathtaking Chopin.
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
MARGARET SUTHERLAND
Nocturne for violin and piano
Alexandra Raikhlina, Alexander Krichel
LENNOX BERKELEY
Song of the Half-Light
Karin Schaupp, Robin Tritschler
PÄRT
Spiegel im Spiegel (Mirror in Mirror) for Cello and Piano
Julian Smiles, Alexander Krichel
ERNEST BLOCH
Three Nocturnes for Piano, Violin, and Cello
Alexander Sitkovetsky, Isang Enders, Qian Wu
FRÉDÉRIC CHOPIN
Nocturne in C minor, Op.48 no. 1
Piers Lane AO
FRÉDÉRIC CHOPIN
Nocturne in B major, Op. 62 no.1
Piers Lane AO
FRÉDÉRIC CHOPIN
Nocturne in E flat major, op.62 no.2
Piers Lane AO
7:30 pm CPAC Theatre
AFCM Governor's Gala - Mozart: The Marriage of Figaro
One opera. One cast of characters. One extraordinary performer. In this thrilling reimagining, Bethany Simons transforms into every character - a virtuoso performance coupled with a powerhouse ensemble bringing Mozart’s iconic score to life. Entertaining. Hilarious. Unmissable.
Bethany Simons - Actor
Written by Phil Lambert & Bethany Simons
Directed by David Wicks
Tickets start from $30 for patrons under 30 years of age and $95 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
WOLFGANG AMADEUS MOZART (Johann Neopmuk Wendt and Andreas N.Tarkmann)
The Marriage of Figaro for winds
Bethany Simons, Emmanuel Cassimatis, Gahyun Lee, Lloyd van't Hoff, Justin Wang, Jackie Newcomb, Dylan Roberts, Ben Jacks, Leon Bosch
