Tasmanian Chamber Music Festival cancelled for 2020 due to COVID

Coronavirus has claimed yet another Tasmanian staple on the events calendar, with major international drawcards unable to travel and the tight-knit venues unsuitable. DETAILS >

Orava Quartet performing at the 2019 Tasmanian Chamber Music Festival.

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Coronavirus has claimed yet another Tasmanian staple on the events calendar, with the Tasmanian Chamber Music Festival called off for this year.

This year’s festival was set to take place in the northern midlands in late October 2020.

Festival director Allanah Dopson said while it was disappointing to have to call off the festival, the TCMF was determined to bring world class chamber music back to the northern midlands in 2021.

“Calling off the festival was an extremely difficult decision, especially in the context of the broader arts scene which has been heavily impacted by the pandemic and I apologise to the artists and ticketholders for any inconvenience caused,” Ms Dopson said.

“A lot of hard work and planning had already gone into the 2020 festival and while it is disappointing for everyone involved to have to pull the pin, the health and safety of patrons and the authenticity of the festival were our number one priority.”

Ms Dopson said one of the festival’s biggest drawcards was its intimate nature inside cosy historic buildings of the northern Tasmanian midlands.

“Without audiences and artists being close together and truly sharing a unique experience the festival just wouldn’t have the same magic it’s known for,” she said.

“Many people also travel to the festival from interstate and while travel restrictions are lifting, not knowing specific details around isolation requirements made it difficult to proceed in good faith to both artists and festival-goers alike.”

The “final straw”, Ms Dopson said, was their internationally based acts, Marmen Quartet and Piers Lane, being unable to travel to Australia and “leaving big shoes to fill on the bill”.

Marmen Quartet was set to perform at the Tasmanian Chamber Music Festival in October before coronavirus struck. Photo: Marco Borggreve

“While I have no doubt our Australian based performers would have still put on a wonderful show if asked, I know having an international act was a big drawcard for many and I would hate to leave anyone disappointed,” Ms Dopson said.

“We now turn our attention to planning how to make next year’s festival even more special to make up for missing out this year and look forward to celebrating an easier world in 2021 through the joy of chamber music.”

Ms Dopson said anyone who had already purchased tickets to the 2020 Tasmanian Chamber Music Festival could organise a full refund by contacting the Theatre North Box Office on 6331 0052.