Music in the North
Lucky Townsville - every winter for the last twenty years they have heard the wonderful sounds of the Australian Festival of Chamber Music fill their halls, their galleries and their cathedrals.
Queensland Homes was fortunate enough to be invited to the 2010 launch last Wednesday night. A grateful few heard renowned Australian pianist and AFCM Artistic Director Piers Lane, give an intimate performance of works by Frederic Chopin and Robert Schumann, providing a taste of what audiences can look
forward to in Townsville this winter.
Held in Townsville, North Queensland from 30 July – 7 August, the 2010 AFCM Anniversary Program will see a mix of contemporary chamber music artists like Synergy Percussion and renowned didgeridoo artist and composer William Barton, with not-to-be-missed performances from long-time favourites, including the Australian String Quartet, the Goldner String Quartet and local Brisbane-born violinist James Cuddeford.
The Chefs in the North Dinner is a part of the festival and is held on the lawns of Jupiters Townsville. Special chamber music performances will feature between courses and tickets will be highly sought after.
“An exquisitely beautiful tropical winter location, paired with friendly people and outstanding performances by national and international musicians is what draws people back to Townsville year after year. To celebrate our 20th Anniversary, we have pulled together an innovative and diverse program to inspire arts and chamber music lovers of all ages,” said AFCM General Manager, Yvette Braithwaite Bragg.
You can book accommodation/tour packages through Renaissance Tours on (02) 9299 5801 or got to www.afcm.com.au
The Festival also attracts some of the finest chamber musicians from around the world, and in 2010 will host high calibre artists including bassoonist Matthew Wilkie (Germany), cellists Louise Hopkins (UK) and Young Chan Cho (Seoul), guitarist Karin Schaupp (Germany) and pianist Bernadene Blaha (Canada).
The Australian Festival of Chamber Music (AFCM) made its debut in Townsville in July 1991, initiated through the vision and commitment of the former Vice Chancellor of James Cook University, Professor Ray Golding and the Festival’s previous Artistic Director, Theodore Kuchar.
Held annually in August, the Festival was established to enhance the cultural environment of Townsville by presenting internationally acclaimed classical musicians to audiences from Townsville, around Australia and overseas. The natural beauty of Townsville and the North Queensland region in August along with its friendly people, wonderfully temperate weather and tropical ambience provides a unique backdrop for the Festival’s concerts and events.
Entering its 20th year, the AFCM has developed an international reputation for its distinguished artists and innovative programming across a range of chamber music styles. Besides the core chamber concert series, the AFCM has a number of other key components focusing on music, entertainment, education, community outreach and the environment.
The Festival is held over nine days with approximately 25 to 30 chamber musicians appearing in over 25 concerts presented in a variety of venues around Townsville. As part of the Festival’s commitment to regional Queenslanders, concerts and performances are also held in surrounding centres with past concerts taking place at Charters Towers, Mount Isa, Karumba, Magnetic Island and Orpheus Island.
Tags: Australian Festival of Chamber Music, Chefs in the North., Townsville