It is with huge disappointment that we announce that the Canberra International Music Festival has cancelled its 2020 festival and the NSW Government has imposed a forced closure of City Recital Hall.
From a practical perspective, this means that The Creation and Voyage of Musical Discovery 'Voices & Instruments' in the City Recital Hall, and all programs in the Canberra International Music Festival have been cancelled due to the Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19).
On a more social and personal level, the health, safety and wellbeing of our musicians, staff and audience as well as that of our surrounding community are of the highest priority so that even without the above practical considerations, we are sure you will agree that this is the only pathway available to us.
We will be working together with our performance partners and associated venues to reschedule these programs and will update the website in the coming weeks.
Patrons will be advised directly by the City Recital Hall and Canberra International Music Festival box offices regarding the issuing of refunds for tickets purchased for these performances.
First performed over 200 years ago, the dramatic musical effects of Joseph Haydn’s oratorio The Creation still send shivers down the spines of listeners today. One of the most gripping moments is the musical telling of when the darkness and chaos of ancient earth is bathed in light for the first time.
Jakob Lehmann | conductor
photo credit: Nick Gilbert
Regular guest conductor and violinist – Berlin-based Jakob Lehmann – returns to conduct this epic tale with the Australian Romantic & Classical Orchestra, Sydney Chamber Choir and exceptional soloists. A cast of imaginary animals and birds will be brought to life in the music, and the help of archangels Gabriel (soprano), Uriel (tenor) and Raphael (bass), and Adam (baritone) and Eve (soprano) will be enlisted along the way. The Creation was so popular when it was written, that it was performed over forty times in Haydn’s lifetime alone. Founding Artistic Director Richard Gill AO always wished to stage it, and the Australian Romantic & Classical Orchestra is proud to bring this glorious work to life.