Townsville gearing up for final Australian Festival of Chamber Music
There is less than two weeks to go before Townsville comes alive with the sound of chamber music for the final time.
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There is less than two weeks to go before Townsville comes alive with the sound of chamber music for the final time.
The 2025 Australian Festival of Chamber Music will see a line-up of 36 musicians performing from July 25 to August 2, as well as 13 debutant artists.
It will be the last event held in Townsville, after it was announced the event will move to Cairns next year.
Shows will be held at iconic Townsville locations such as the Queens Garden Concert with the Barrier Reef Orchestra and the St James’ Cathedral Concert.
One of the major musicians set to visit North Queensland this year is one of the world’s most revered clarinetists, Michael Collins.
Globally celebrated soprano Carolyn Sampson will also make her festival debut this year.
She said she has heard a lot about the festival and was excited to meet and work with new people.
“I love festivals for precisely the fact there’s so much hard work,” she said.
“I get a buzz from having lots of things going on at once, and I really enjoy this model of performing in shorter bursts, but being part of lots of concert.”
The festivals artistic director, and acclaimed violinist, Jack Liebeck said the mix of debutants and festival stalwarts was what the festival is all about.
“This is the heart of the AFCM, seeing musical titans performing alongside first-time festival artists, sharing the stage, the inspiration, and the magic of chamber music,” he said.
“To witness a horn player from the Berlin Philharmonic, a soprano with an OBE, and Australia’s best, and next generation of classical greats all performing on one stage – in Tropical North Queensland – is nothing short of extraordinary.”
A trio of Aussie musicians are also set to wow the crowds including violinist Emily Sun, accordion player James Crabb and Kirsty McCahon on the double bass.
Ms Sun has played at Buckingham Palace and the Royal Palace of Brussels and said she loved the “thrilling and energetic atmosphere” at the fetsival.
The event, which began in Townsville in 1991, recorded recorded-breaking attendance figures in 2024.
The total attendance numbers of 22,106 across all the events was an increase of 31 per cent on 2023, with the number of interstate and overseas visitors increasing by 16 per cent.
Organisers of the festival said independent research showed last year’s event gave Townsville an economic boom of almost $20m, up from $9.3m in 2023.
However the decision to move to Cairns was made based on “viability and long-term growth.”
For more information and to buy tickets visit afcm.com.au
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Originally published as Townsville gearing up for final Australian Festival of Chamber Music
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