TROPICAL NORTH WELCOMES CHAMBER MUSIC FESTIVAL

Australia’s largest chamber music festival opens in Townsville today (Friday July 6) with performers and audiences gathering for 10 days of music, fine food and discussion.

Arts Minister Rod Welford will officially launch the Australian Festival of Chamber Music (AFCM) tonight with a gala concert at the Townsville Civic Theatre.

Mr Welford said the festival, now in its 17^th year, was the largest of its kind in the southern hemisphere.

“This festival grows in popularity every year and this year’s event is already a success, with six of the 25 performances selling out before the festival even began.

“Led for the first time by internationally renowned artistic director and pianist, Piers Lane, the festival’s 33 artists will perform more than 80 different works in theatres, churches and art galleries in the Townsville region.

“The Australian Festival of Chamber Music – like the Queensland Music Festival and the Brisbane Festival – aims to expand our artistic horizons and to celebrate Australian and Queensland talent in a unique way.”

Mr Welford said the Beattie Government had provided more than $64,000 towards the cost of staging this year’s festival.

“We also provided a one-off Strengthening the Sector grant of $24,500, to promote the festival in line with initiatives set out in the Queensland Arts Industry Arts Sector Development Plans released this year,” he said.

“This event has a truly varied program, offering excellence in chamber music as well as education and encouragement for emerging musicians through its masterclass program.

“Also on the festival menu is the much-anticipated Chefs in the North festival dinner where patrons get to dine on the best of north Queensland cuisine.”

Performers at this year’s festival include leading violist and composer Brett Dean, one of Australia’s finest didgeridoo players William Barton, the local Barrier Reef Orchestra and the UK-based Hermitage String Trio.

As well as the core concert program, AFCM has worked with the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority and the Australian Institute of Marine Science to present Reef Talk, a series of lectures by international scientists and researchers on key environmental issues relating to reefs and rainforests.

Media contact: Emma Clarey on 3237 1000 or 0417 791 336