FESTIVAL: MUSICA VIVA

BY MICHELLE PORTER

Musica Viva is a chamber music festival that promises to deliver outstanding performances from an ensemble of world-renowned musicians.

This year’s launch of the festival sees an impressive line-up of group and solo artists, such as the Juilliard String Quartet, Australian String Quartet; and star pianists Angela Hewitt and Ian Munro.

The festival will also foster young talent by inviting the Australian Youth Orchestra 2008 Chamber Music Camp (AYO) to study and collaborate with the world’s finest.

Carl Vine, a practicing musician since the age of four, is the festival director. He is responsible for choosing the shape, size and direction of the festival, including all of the artists. He assures that the festival isn’t just for current chamber music supporters.

‘Apart from regular supporters, many people have a passing interest in chamber music, but little opportunity to learn more or simply dip their toes in without getting completely getting wet. Most of our ardent supporters fell into chamber music almost by accident. We hope to maximise the chance of these accidental conversions.’

Across various venues including Customs House, City Recital Hall and St James’ Anglican Church, there will be more than 50 events to choose from including song recitals and family concerts, with lunchtime and evening performances.

A series of seminars will also be held to explore the links between music and culture, and numerous workshops between the AYO and the Juilliard and Jerusalem Quartets will provide patrons with knowledge about the music-making process.

Musica Viva Festival
October 8-12
Tickets: $15-$85 (packages $252 – $799), 1800 688 482 or www.musicaviva.com.au