The famed Swiss contemporary music group is about to make its Canberra International Music Festival and Australian debut. Serge Vuille and Antoine Françoise unpack the program.
Not so lucky country: Australia ranked 25th out of 31 OECD nations for expenditure on “recreation, culture and religion” as a share of GDP.
Too often, creative workers rely on 'Dr Footlights' to get through the tough times. But Support Act is on hand when you need it.
The Australian Brandenburg Orchestra announces the six musicians selected for its 2026–27 Brandenburg Mentorship Program.
From Barrie Kosky finding the new in Wagner to Sheridan Harbridge on women who refuse to conform, May's issue of Limelight is a celebration of talent, resilience and audacity.
For more than five decades, Tilson Thomas stood among the most influential figures in classical music.
The University of Sydney recently acquired a collection of first editions of works by Mozart and Beethoven. Why are they so important?
After visiting friends, Guy Noble wonders why hospitals make it so hard for patients to sleep and eat well, and why pieces of medical equipment can’t all beep in harmony.
Contribute to Limelight and support independent arts journalism.
A transcendent program curated and composed by Ross Edwards is the perfect send-off for outgoing Festival Director Catherine Harker.
Mozart’s legendary libertine is back in this modest new production that can’t solve the opera’s misogyny but does justice to its timeless music.
Virtuoso David Elton conjures trumpet magic in a chamber music setting.
A packed Concert Hall experiences the intricate interplay of music and image with composer Jung Jae-il leading the score for Bong Joon-ho's thriller.
John Bell and Elysian Fields join forces in a world premiere that reimagines Shakespeare and Wyatt through evocative, jazz-infused settings.
Against the odds, the Australian premiere of Jonathan Dove and Graham Vick’s reduction pays off.
Log in to read the flipbook version of Limelight's May 2026 magazine.
Hot on the heels of this month’s Remix Tour Live, Suzy Izzard is bringing her one-woman version of Shakespeare’s tragedy to Australia.
As 2026 Composer in Residence at the Canberra International Music Festival, Fiona Hill presents a body of work in which collaboration is more worldview than method.
Cameron Lam’s Australian Art Music playlist focuses on Classical, Jazz, and Sound Art made outside of our capital cities this month.
Melody Eötvös's new piano trio, commissioned by Musica Viva Australia, is a meditation on rulership inspired by her love of trees.
Limelight partners with Australian Festival of Chamber Music for an immersive Cairns experience led by Rachel Whealy.
First Nations musician Eric Avery is creating a new work with Melbourne’s Flinders Quartet. He tells us why he has asked the four string players to use stringybark as part of the performance.
This year, the Schubertiade Schwarzenberg Hohenems celebrates its 50th anniversary.
A transcendent program curated and composed by Ross Edwards is the perfect send-off for outgoing Festival Director Catherine Harker.
The famed Swiss contemporary music group is about to make its Canberra International Music Festival and Australian debut. Serge Vuille and Antoine Françoise unpack the program.
Virtuoso David Elton conjures trumpet magic in a chamber music setting.
A virtuosic hybrid approach to performing Baroque music with largely modern instruments.
Time-honoured Sydney Symphony debut for Recorder Queen Genevieve Lacey.
For more than five decades, Tilson Thomas stood among the most influential figures in classical music.
Mozart’s legendary libertine is back in this modest new production that can’t solve the opera’s misogyny but does justice to its timeless music.
Against the odds, the Australian premiere of Jonathan Dove and Graham Vick’s reduction pays off.
Log in to read the flipbook version of Limelight's May 2026 magazine.
From Barrie Kosky finding the new in Wagner to Sheridan Harbridge on women who refuse to conform, May's issue of Limelight is a celebration of talent, resilience and audacity.
Obsessed with The Drover’s Wife as a child, Leah Purcell has adapted it as a play, novel and film. Then composer George Palmer asked if she would collaborate on an opera.
After directing Wagner’s Ring Cycle in Hannover, Barrie Kosky vowed he would never tackle it again. Then The Royal Ballet & Opera called.
Fast closing in on its 30th birthday, Julie Taymor's spectacular staging of this 'Hamlet with fur' story still entrances adults and kids alike.
This theatre-meets-cabaret Cinderella villain origin story stops short of turning the stereotypical evil stepmother into a fully rounded character.
Maude Dromgoole’s play taps into matters Malthusian with the story of an eco-activist couple accidentally contributing to the world's population problem.
A period setting reminds us how modern, and how merciless, Chekhov can be.
Log in to read the flipbook version of Limelight's May 2026 magazine.
From Barrie Kosky finding the new in Wagner to Sheridan Harbridge on women who refuse to conform, May's issue of Limelight is a celebration of talent, resilience and audacity.
Callum Linnane leaves The Australian Ballet for Principal Artist role with Hamburg Ballet.
A compelling triple bill explores mortality through ritual, sculpture and ecstatic movement.
Raewyn Hill, Artistic Director of Perth's Co3 Contemporary Dance, steps away from the company she founded.
Verdi’s emotional journey elaborated with stunning displays of dramatic spectacle, mass choreography and fine voices.
"Forever grateful and so proud": Rafael Bonachela to leave SDC mid-2028.
MEAA says "musicians must not be seen as optional extras"; WA Ballet says union claims are "simply wrong".
Rennert embraces her inner will-o’-the-wisp in a breathtaking recital.
A superb Beethoven, with a fascinating 21st-century reflection.
Watkins’ sparkling orchestral music celebrates a very special relationship.
A generational talent puts it all on the record.
Percussion supremo Claire Edwardes reaches a watershed moment.
Hughes sighs, weeps, faints and dies, from Dowland to beyond.
Explore the guide and listen to our 25 in 25 playlist of Australia’s favourite art music.
Our specialist writers analyse this year’s offerings in theatres and concert halls.
Read our complete coverage of this year’s Canberra International Music Festival.
Find out what’s happening this week and add your own events to our free online calendar.
Substantial discounts when you subscribe to Limelight and a partner arts organisation.
