Music stars to perform free show at Queens Gardens
Date published: 22 July 2021
Internationally acclaimed didgeridoo superstar William Barton will join violinist Grace Clifford, clarinettist Lloyd Van’t Hoff, the Barrier Reef Orchestra and 1RAR Band to perform in the Australian Festival of Chambers Music’s free Queens Gardens Concert this Sunday.
The free Australian Festival of Chamber Music (AFCM) Queens Gardens Concert, presented by Townsville City Council and the AFCM, is part of this year’s North Australian Festival of Arts.
Community and Cultural Development Committee chairperson Ann-Maree Greaney said the concert would include a smorgasbord of musical talent.
“We’re thrilled to be welcoming William Barton to Townsville to perform alongside the Barrier Reef Orchestra and 1RAR Band at this year’s AFCM Queens Gardens concert,” Cr Greaney said.
“We are lucky to be able to sit outside and enjoy such a wide range of beautiful music for free with this concert, which will bring some of the best Australian musicians together on stage.”
AFCM Executive Director Dr Ricardo Peach highlighted the diversity of the program.
“We are delighted to be able to hold this concert with a program as diverse as it is entertaining including the ravishing Meditation from Thaïs for solo violin and orchestra to be performed by visiting violinist Grace Clifford and the Barrier Reef Orchestra,” he said.
“The hauntingly beautiful slow movement from the Mozart clarinet concerto played by visiting clarinettist Lloyd Van't Hoff, didgeridoo superstar William Barton will be performing his own compositions with the Barrier Reef Orchestra and 1RAR.
“Brisbane based violinist Natsuko Yoshimoto and violist Imants Larsens will be performing Martinů’s Duo No. 1 for Violin and Viola Three Madrigals and there will be popular songs from local favourites the Barrier Reef Orchestra and 1RAR that will have you tapping your toes to the music.”
Cr Greaney said COVID had hampered some of the AFCM’s plans for NAFA 2021, but that there was still plenty happening across the city for music lovers.
“We know that it was a difficult decision for the AFCM to scale back its program this year, but it was necessary considering the ever-changing COVID restrictions across Australia,” she said.
“The silver lining is that the Queens Gardens concert and the Winterschool programs will go ahead, including workshops and concerts in Charters Towers and Ayr, which is fantastic for local music lovers and performers.
“Council will continue to work with the AFCM committee to make sure they can celebrate their 30th anniversary in Townsville in 2022.”
For more information about the AFCM Queens Gardens Concert, visit What's On Townsville.
