Musicians ready for final Australian Festival of Chamber Music in Townsville

Talented artists from across the globe have descended on Townsville for the last edition of a much-loved chamber music festival. SEE WHAT’S ON

Clarinet player Michael Collins with violinists Emily Sun and Milena Pajaro-van de Start, on the Strand are performing as part of the Australian Festival of Chamber Music. Picture: Evan Morgan

Talented artists from across the globe have descended on Townsville for the last edition of a much-loved music festival.

The Australian Festival of Chamber Music kicks off on Thursday with a Long Table Lunch mixer and runs until August 2.

Events will be held across the city with concerts to be held in Queens Garden and St James Cathedral among other iconic venues in Townsville.

A “trailblazing” violist hailed for her rich tone, who is also a founding member of the two-time Grammy nominated Dover Quartet, Milena Pajaro-van de Stadt has arrived in North Queensland and is keen to perform to the passionate crowds.

Clarinet player Michael Collins on the Strand is performing as part of the Australian Festival of Chamber Music. Picture: Evan Morgan

Two UK superstar musicians, Emily Sun and Michael Collins, are also ready to hit the right note for the final time.

Ana Maria Vera, an internationally celebrated pianist from Bolivia and the US, is making her Australian debut at the festival.

Ana Maria Vera, Jack Liebeck, Carolyn Sampson OBE are ready for the 2025 Australian Festival of Chamber Music in Townsville. Photo: Rob Parsons.

The festival, which began in 1991, will bid farewell to Townsville this year and move to it’s new home in Cairns in 2026.

Organisers say this last event in Townsville is set to be a “heartfelt tribute” to it’s birthplace. The decision to relocate to Cairns was due to “better arts infrastructure” and a better city layout, with more venues in closer proximity, to create a more cohesive festival hub which would allow for future growth.

For more details and the full program visit afcm.com.au

Originally published as Musicians ready for final Australian Festival of Chamber Music in Townsville