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Cairns-Gimuy, QLD
Starts 24 July 2026
EXPLORE PROGRAM
Musical Memories

Musical Memories

AFCM 2022 FESTIVAL FLASHBACKS

MOZART - Sonata in E Minor for Violin and Piano, K.304 - Daniel Grimwood (Piano) and Jack Liebeck (Violin)

SAINT-SAENS - Fantasie in A Major for Violoin and Harp - Alice Giles (Harp), Jack Liebeck (Violin)

LOESSER - The Inchworm - Kristian Chong (piano), Lotte Betts-Dean (Soprano)

VASKS - String Quartet No.3 - Goldner String Quartet

ALBINONI - Concerto in D Minor for Oboe, Strings and Continuo, Op.9, No.2 - Emmanuel Cassimatis (oboe), Phoebe Russell (bass), Goldner String Quartet

MORE AFCM FLASHBACKS

This first video shares a variety of images from the 2019 Festival with music from the Sunday night church concert - a beautiful piece by Charles Koechlin, Épitaphe de Jean Harlow, Op.164 and performed by Amy Dickson (saxophone), Sally Walker (flulte) and Charles Owen (piano). Enjoy!

Our second Video Story shares images from the 2018 Festival with music from Ravel's Rhapsodie Espagnole performed by Timothy Young (piano) and Katya Apekisheva (piano).

Our third Video Story takes us on a journey of all 29 years of AFCM, from the early days when Theodore Kuchar was AD, through Piers Lane's time at the helm and most recently with Kathryn Stott. Enjoy this wonderful timeline of images whilst listening to Jean Françaix's Dixtour for Wind and String Quartet performed on Opening Night of the 2019 Festival.  

Our fourth Video Story showcases the stunning location that AFCM takes place in - Townsville, North Queensland. Enjoy the beautiful scenery of Townsville, along with nearby islands including Magnetic Island, Orpheus Island and Palm Island, and some of the tropical rainforests just north of Townsville. The music is from last year's Governor's Gala concert - Mozart’s Oboe Quartet in F major K370/368b, the first movement, performed by Rachael Clegg (oboe), Elizabeth Layton (violin), Jennifer Stumm (viola) and Timo-Veikko Valve (cello). Enjoy!

Artist Connections

This segment allows us to stay connected with the musicians as we get to hear from artists who previously attended AFCM, and find out what they’ve been up to during the pandemic period. Our first Artist Connection features the talented Yumi Kurosawa. Yumi was an award winning koto star from a young age, and is now one of the world’s most exciting soloists on what is Japan’s national instrument. Her solo repertoire includes classical Japanese compositions, as well as her own innovative and enchanting original works. 

Our second Artist Connections takes us to Adelaide to hear from Mark Gaydon, bassoon extraordinaire! Mark is an avid teacher of music, has been Principal Bassoonist with the Adelaide Symphony Orchestra since 2003 and has appeared as guest principal bassoon with the Sydney, Queensland, Tasmanian and New Zealand symphony orchestras. 

Our third Artist Connections video takes us to California via China where we hear from Wu Man, recognized as the world’s premier pipa virtuoso and leading ambassador of Chinese music. She wowed our audiences in 2019 with her extraordinary talent on the pipa. Wu Man has forged an impressive career as a soloist, educator, and composer; she has toured the world many times and premiered hundreds of new works for the pipa. Enjoy this lovely video from Wu Man where she chats briefly about her fond memories of Townsville and also delights us with a short performance.

Sunday July 26

The Artistic Director’s Circle Concert features an intimate performance by the internationally acclaimed Sitkovetsky Trio. Renowned for their expressive depth, technical brilliance, and exceptional musical cohesion, the Trio’s appearance at AFCM marks a significant artistic milestone as we begin a bold new chapter in Cairns–Gimuy.


This concert is made possible through the generous support of the Artistic Director’s Circle, whose commitment enables us to bring world-leading ensembles to northern Queensland and elevate the Festival’s global reach.


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


* Excludes bookings fees.


SUBSCRIPTION INFORMATION

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

Concert Details

CÉCILE CHAMINADE
Piano Trio No. 2, Op. 34
Alexander Sitkovetsky, Isang Enders, Wu Qian

ELENA SIEROVA
Piano Trio
Alexander Sitkovetsky, Isang Enders, Wu Qian

ROBERT SCHUMANN
Piano Trio No. 3 in G minor, Op. 110
Alexander Sitkovetsky, Isang Enders, Wu Qian

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

We promise, contrary to the title, this concert will be the model of order and decorum - featuring sublime music in a glorious setting.  Mozart's Divertimento, often called the Nannerl Septet, will be performed alongside Brahms' beautiful and melodious Sextet No. 1 for strings. The perfect Sunday afternoon tonic for the soul.


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
Divertimento No. 11 in D major for Oboe, Two Horns, and Strings, K. 251
Emmanuel Cassimatis, Stefan Dohr, Ben Jacks, Dimity Hall, Dene Olding AM, Stefanie Farrands, Leon Bosch

JOHANNES BRAHMS
String Sextet No. 1 in B-flat major, Op. 18
Jack Liebeck, Emmalena Huning, Stefanie Farrands, Irina Morozova, Christian-Pierre La Marca, Charlotte Miles

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

Note: no composers were harmed in the making of this programme… Inspired by the hit BBC TV programme Horrible Histories, this concert explores some of our most cherished composers who met a sudden, untimely demise (in slightly comic circumstances). Did you know that Purcell froze to death because his wife locked him out of the house? Or that Lully conducted his orchestra by slamming a staff loudly onto the floor, but unfortunately stabbed himself in the foot? Isaac Nathan, the "father of Australian music," was crushed by a tram in 1864 in Sydney, and in another transport-related demise, Chausson cycled into a wall and didn’t live to compose another note! Thankfully, we are able to bring their music back to life at CPAC, right before your very eyes and ears. It’s a miracle!


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

HENRY PURCELL
Suite Z.661, g minor; arr. for guitar
Karin Schaupp

JEAN BAPTISTE LULLY
Chanson des Harlequins
Simon Martyn-Ellis

ISAAC NATHAN
Queen of Evening
Robin Tritschler, Wu Qian

ISAAC NATHAN
Thou art another's
Robin Tritschler, Wu Qian

ERNEST CHAUSSON
Concert in D major for Violin, Piano, and String Quartet, Op. 21
Jack Liebeck, Alexander Krichel, Dene Olding AM, Dimity Hall, Irina Morozova, Julian Smiles