Festival Program
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Jul 23rd 2021
8:00 pm - Townsville Civic Theatre
The James Cook University Opening Night - PARADE
About this event:
Let the parade begin! For our opening concert, we acknowledge the Wulgurukaba people on whose land we meet with our first Festival commission. Welcome Yorta Yorta composer, Deborah Cheetham. This program combines our beautiful heritage with sheer exuberance, so let 23 amazing musicians guide you through a vibrant 5 country cavalcade - opening night is always special!
Featuring Artists
Cheryl Barker
(Concert host)
Peter Coleman-Wright
(Concert host)
Virginia Taylor
(Flute)
Lloyd Van't Hoff
(Clarinet)
Timothy Young
(Piano)
Elizabeth Layton
(Violin)
Zoë Black
(Violin)
Grace Clifford
(Violin)
Natsuko Yoshimoto
(Violin)
Christopher Moore
(Viola)
Imants Larsens
(Viola)
Elina Faskhi
(Cello)
Yelian He
(Cello)
Deborah Cheetham
(Soprano)
David Greco
(Baritone)
James Crabb
(Accordion)
Piers Lane
(Piano)
Nexas Quartet
Goldner String Quartet
(Quartet-in-residence)
Jul 24th 2021
10:00 am - St Patrick's College Auditorium
Concert Conversations 1
About this event:
A brand new venue to kick off our first concert conversation this year! St Patrick’s College has a brand new purpose built hall and have graciously sponsored this weekend.
Russell Torrance chats with Zoë Black, David Greco, Nexas Quartet, Imants Larsens, Lloyd Van’t Hoff and Deborah Cheetham.
5:00 pm - Townsville Civic Theatre
Ray Golding Sunset Series - Concertino
About this event:
Our Artistic Director is sure you all know the theme of the Schubert Variations but she believes you are in for an unexpected treat with Dance Music Suite by Sallinen. Tango, Waltz, Flamenco and more!
8:00 pm - Townsville Civic Theatre
Governor's Gala - Ode to Joy
About this event:
This Saturday evening concert is packed to the rafters!
Ever wondered what would happen if 25 celebrated
Australian composers all wrote miniature variations on
Beethoven’s iconic theme Ode to Joy? Come and discover
for yourself – this will be unique and not to be missed.
Featuring Artists
Cheryl Barker
(Concert host)
Peter Coleman-Wright
(Concert host)
Lloyd Van't Hoff
(Clarinet)
Nicolas Fleury
(French Horn)
Natsuko Yoshimoto
(Violin)
Imants Larsens
(Viola)
Blair Harris
(Cello)
Kristian Chong
(Piano)
Jacqueline Porter
(Soprano)
Piers Lane
(Piano)
Goldner String Quartet
Michael Duke
(Soprano saxophone)
Timothy Young
(Piano)
Jul 25th 2021
11:00 am - St Patrick's College Auditorium
The Cleveland Bay Concert
About this event:
This Sunday morning concert has everything to set up
your day. Mozart’s Piano Quartet and Weber’s lavish
Clarinet Quintet form our classical pillars. Lachrymae by
Britten in this rarely heard transcription, provides a
moment for reflection. Altogether a magnificent morning
medley. This concert is now included in the main Festival
program and included in Gold subscriptions. The concert
will now be held in the brand new performing arts hall at
St Patrick’s College. Due to COVID-19 restrictions there
will be no catering or interval at this event.
3:00 pm - Queens Gardens
Queens Gardens Concert
About this event:
A wonderful afternoon in the park featuring the 1RAR Band, the Barrier Reef Orchestra and visiting AFCM artists Nicolas Fleury (horn), David Greco (baritone), Nexas Quartet (saxophone) and William Barton (didgeridoo). Works include Mack the Knife, There’ll be Life, Love and Laughter and excerpts from The Marriage of Figaro. Free event.
7:30 pm - The Pavilion, The Ville Resort-Casino
White Nights
About this event:
Start with dinner at 6pm before the concert begins with
a rare 19th century gem by Danish composer Niels Gade
and a wonderful opportunity for another Octet. Prokofiev
once wrote “Listening to bad music sometimes inspires
good ideas”…hear the result of that thought tonight.
Following beautiful Vocalise by Rachmaninov, let’s set
your toes tapping. Gershwin, whose father was born in
St Peterburg, left his Russian ancestry far behind. Time
to jazz things up so let’s head for the bright lights of New
York and Rhapsody in Blue! Previously included in the
main program, this evening concert now has the option
of being a special event with catering. Dinner is already
included in Gold Plus subscriptions only however all
other ticket holders can add catering to their evening.
Featuring Artists
Cheryl Barker
(Concert host)
Peter Coleman-Wright
(Concert host)
Dene Olding
(Violin)
Dimity Hall
(Violin)
Zoë Black
(Violin)
Phoebe Gardner
(Violin)
Irina Morozova
(Viola)
Tobias Breider
(Viola)
Julian Smiles
(Cello)
Blair Harris
(Cello)
Kevin Chow
(Piano)
Kristian Chong
(Piano)
Nexas Quartet
Piers Lane
(Piano)
Jul 26th 2021
10:00 am - The Pavilion, The Ville Resort-Casino
Concert Conversations 2
About this event:
Russell Torrance chats with James Crabb, Blair Harris,
Elizabeth Layton, Kirsty McCahon, Diana Doherty and
Timothy Young.
1:00 pm - The Pavilion, The Ville Resort-Casino
AFCM Advanced Winterschool - Public Masterclass 1
About this event:
An AFCM artist coaches emerging professionals in an hour-long free public masterclass.
Featuring Artists
5:00 pm - Townsville Civic Theatre
Ray Golding Sunset Series - B4
About this event:
Four composers beginning with B and music spanning
250 years. Two Italians, a passionate Armenian and the
quite extraordinary William Barton.
Featuring Artists
8:00 pm - Townsville Civic Theatre
Evening Series - Song and Dance
About this event:
Monday night just moved up a gear! Pavel Fischer’s
Quartets have been a sensation in the past two Festivals so
we simply had to include Wild Mountain Thyme. Add to
that some Hungarian Gypsy flavour, operatic variations,
folk inspired music from Ireland and the divine Auf dem
Strom by Schubert. You might also hear a quotation from
Beethoven’s Eroica Symphony.
Featuring Artists
Cheryl Barker
(Concert host)
Peter Coleman-Wright
(Concert host)
Elizabeth Layton
(Violin)
Julian Smiles
(Cello)
James Crabb
(Accordion)
Jacqueline Porter
(Soprano)
Nicolas Fleury
(French Horn)
Kristian Chong
(Piano)
Elina Faskhi
(Cello)
David Greco
(Baritone)
Piers Lane
(Piano)
Natsuko Yoshimoto
(Violin)
Imants Larsens
(Viola)
Yelian He
(Cello)
Jul 27th 2021
4:30 pm - Magnetic Island - The Esplanade
Magnetic Island Concert
About this event:
Join us for a celebratory dinner on Magnetic Island! Sip
champagne at sunset whist listening to some of the
Festival’s stellar musicians before dining under the stars
with an emphasis on local produce. Ticket price includes
Ferry tickets, island bus transfers and all food and
beverages.
Jul 28th 2021
10:00 am - The Pavilion, The Ville Resort-Casino
Concert Conversations 3
About this event:
Russell Torrance chats with William Barton, Virginia
Taylor, Mark Gaydon, Yelian He, Daniel de Borah and
Natsuko Yoshimoto.
1:00 pm - The Pavilion, The Ville Resort-Casino
AFCM Advanced Winterschool - Public Masterclass 2
About this event:
An AFCM artist coaches emerging professionals in an hour-long free public masterclass.
Featuring Artists
5:00 pm - Townsville Civic Theatre
Ray Golding Sunset Series - Brilliant Baroque
About this event:
For lovers of Baroque music this is for you. Diana
Doherty particularly wanted to perform the Duet by W.F.
Bach and so begins this journey back in time. Our very
own Winterschool strings take to the stage with pianist
Kevin Chow but be ready for the Devil to put in an
appearance. Italian magic at its best!
8:00 pm - Townsville Civic Theatre
Evening Series - Metamorphosen
About this event:
The culmination of this program is the great
Metamorphosen by Strauss. Our Artistic Director believes
this to be one of the most moving chamber works in the
repertoire and its Beethoven quotes so poignant. The
transparency of Anne Boyd’s work and the sparkle of
Ligeti miniatures provide fabulous musical texture. Add
in sumptuous music by Puccini and Korngold, not to
mention Poulenc’s reference to Mozart, and you have a
musical rollercoaster.
Featuring Artists
Cheryl Barker
(Concert host)
Diana Doherty
(Oboe)
Peter Coleman-Wright
(Concert host)
Mark Gaydon
(Bassoon)
Daniel de Borah
(Piano)
Diana Doherty
(Oboe)
Mark Gaydon
(Bassoon)
Daniel de Borah
(Piano)
Virginia Taylor
(Flute)
Kristian Chong
(Piano)
Flinders Quartet
Jacqueline Porter
(Soprano)
Yasmin Rowe
(Piano)
Lloyd Van't Hoff
(Clarinet)
Nicolas Fleury
(French Horn)
Elizabeth Layton
(Violin)
Natsuko Yoshimoto
(Violin)
Tobias Breider
(Viola)
Imants Larsens
(Viola)
Elina Faskhi
(Cello)
Blair Harris
(Cello)
Kirsty McCahon
(Double bass)
Jul 29th 2021
10:00 am - The Pavilion, The Ville Resort-Casino
Concert Conversations 4
About this event:
The first of three concerts today all paying homage to
Ludwig Van Beethoven. In the first performance of the
Horn Sonata, Beethoven himself was at the keyboard. At
his funeral, Schubert was a torchbearer. Hear their
masterpieces in our first tribute of the day.
Russell Torrance chats with Nicolas Fleury, Christopher
Moore, Yasmin Rowe, Kevin Chow and Kristian Chong.
1:00 pm - The Pavilion, The Ville Resort-Casino
AFCM Advanced Winterschool - Public Masterclass 3
About this event:
An AFCM artist coaches emerging professionals in an hour-long free public masterclass.
Featuring Artists
2:30 pm - The Pavilion, The Ville Resort-Casino
Gold & Gold Plus Subscriber Event
About this event:
Gold and Gold Subscribers will enjoy this special event featuring the Festival's three guest concert hosts for 2021. Russell Torrance in conversation with Cheryl Barker and Peter Coleman-Wright, looking back at fond memories, career highlights and the music that inspired them.
5:00 pm - Townsville Civic Theatre
Immortal Beloved
About this event:
After the triumph of Being Mrs Bach 3 years ago, Jessica Duchen has recently turned her attention to Beethoven. This chamber version has been specially created for AFCM and promises to be equally special. We can look forward to music and words illuminating the very essence of this romantic story.
8:00 pm - Townsville Civic Theatre
Evening Series - Kreutzer
About this event:
Featuring one of the greatest of all Sonatas for Violin and Piano, known as the Kreutzer, Beethoven not only gave us this masterpiece, but it proved the inspiration for Janáček and Leo Tolstoy. Tonight our tribute comes to an exciting close with a highly anticipated appearance by Dancenorth and a stunning set of songs composed by Festival favourite, Roderick Williams. Not to be missed!
Jul 30th 2021
10:00 am - The Pavilion, The Ville Resort-Casino
Concert Conversations 5
About this event:
Russell Torrance chats with Ian Brunskill, Jacqueline Porter, Grace Clifford, Flinders Quartet, Elina Faskhi and Piers Lane.
1:00 pm - The Pavilion, The Ville Resort-Casino
AFCM Advanced Winterschool Concert
About this event:
Experience Australia’s finest emerging talent in concert.
Featuring Artists
5:00 pm - Townsville Civic Theatre
Ray Golding Sunset Series - Magical Stories
About this event:
A concert with storytelling at its heart. Be transported by fairy tales and the magical music which appeared in the Disney classic Fantasia.
8:00 pm - Townsville Civic Theatre
Evening Series - Wild Spirit
About this event:
Spirits will be well and truly lifted in this imaginative program. When our Artistic Director first heard Spirit of the Wild – she thought it was one of the most exciting pieces she had ever heard. Everyone knows Boléro but on four cellos? Prepare to be amazed! A high energy opening with Dvořák’s glorious spirit soaring throughout the Piano Quartet.
Featuring Artists
Cheryl Barker
(Concert host)
Peter Coleman-Wright
(Concert host)
Grace Clifford
(Violin)
Christopher Moore
(Viola)
Yelian He
(Cello)
Piers Lane
(Piano)
Julian Smiles
(Cello)
Elina Faskhi
(Cello)
Blair Harris
(Cello)
Diana Doherty
(Oboe)
Goldner String Quartet
Kirsty McCahon
(Double bass)
Timothy Young
(Piano)
Jul 31st 2021
10:00 am - The Pavilion, The Ville Resort-Casino
Concert Conversations 6 Goldner
About this event:
This Saturday morning conversation concert will be
devoted entirely to the Goldner String Quartet in
celebration of their 25th anniversary. It will be a
different format to the regular Concert conversations,
with the Goldners alternating between conversation
and performance throughout the morning. They will
perform in various formations and chat about their life
in music.
1:00 pm - Townsville Civic Theatre
Families' Concert - Stan and Mabel
About this event:
Paul Rissmann is one of the world’s great composers of children’s music and his fantastic setting of such a brilliant adventure story will have children mesmerised. We can’t wait to hear the story of Stan and Mabel. Dressing up as dogs and cats is optional!
8:00 pm - Townsville Civic Theatre
Closing Night - CELEBRATION!
About this event:
…and the parade comes full circle. Lighter
entertainment awaits in this glittering finale. Tango,
Noel Coward, an amuse-bouche on Townsville, fun with
Beethoven and much more! Lovers of West Side Story
won’t be disappointed and klaxons might even come in
to play during the Hornpipe. Come and join the party
– it won’t be the same without you!
Featuring Artists
Cheryl Barker
(Concert host)
Peter Coleman-Wright
(Concert host)
Russell Torrance
(Concert host)
Zoë Black
(Violin)
Natsuko Yoshimoto
(Violin)
Imants Larsens
(Viola)
Blair Harris
(Cello)
Kirsty McCahon
(Double bass)
Ian Brunskill
(Percussion)
Dene Olding
(Violin)
Dimity Hall
(Violin)
Grace Clifford
(Violin)
Elina Faskhi
(Cello)
Yelian He
(Cello)
Jacqueline Porter
(Soprano)
Yasmin Rowe
(Piano)
Julian Smiles
(Cello)
Kristian Chong
(Piano)
Timothy Young
(Piano)
Irina Morozova
(Viola)
Christopher Moore
(Viola)
Cheryl Barker
(Soprano)
Peter Coleman-Wright
(Baritone)
Virginia Taylor
(Flute)
Diana Doherty
(Oboe)
Lloyd Van't Hoff
(Clarinet)
Nicolas Fleury
(French Horn)
Mark Gaydon
(Bassoon)
Daniel de Borah
(Piano)
Piers Lane
(Piano)
Christian Li
(Violin)
Elizabeth Layton
(Violin)
Phoebe Gardner
(Violin)
Flinders Quartet
Aug 1st 2021
2:45 pm - Peppers Blue on Blue (Magnetic Island)
After Party on Magnetic Island
About this event:
A perfect way to close out your time in Townsville is with
a delightful concert on Magnetic Island. Soak up the
sunshine on the seaside deck at Peppers Blue on Blue,
enjoy a drink or two and mix with other guests whilst
listening to some beautiful music played by Festival artists
and a 30th Anniversary Quiz!