Victoria’s Mornington Peninsula once again comes to life with classical music, world premieres and cross-genre collaborations. In 2026, co-Artistic Directors Melissa Doecke and Ben Opie present 18 events over nine days, including the world premiere of Aaron Wyatt’s Every Plant Has Its Own Dreaming at Peninsula Hot Springs, inspired by native flora and performed by Ensemble Offspring. Other highlights include an Opera Gala with soprano Myriam Arbouz, tenor Jacob Lawrence and baritone David Greco, who also performs Schumann’s Dichterliebe; Karin Schaupp’s guitar recitals; and Ensemble 642’s Baroque by Candlelight at St John’s Anglican Church, Flinders.

Limelight Editor’s Choice

Plucked-string virtuosi Ensemble 642 conjure a meditative sound world where time dissolves. ‘Meditatio’ entwines the shimmering voices of baroque harp and theorbo with masterworks by Bach, Buxtehude, and Strozzi, in dialogue with the serene minimalism of contemporary composers John Cage and Mamoru Fujieda, inviting listeners to immerse themselves in a sonic landscape of profound contemplation and renewal.

Two of Australia’s leading specialists in the performance of baroque music, Ensemble 642 is the inspired pairing of Hannah Lane (Baroque harp) and Nicholas Pollock (theorbo, lutes, baroque guitar). Together, they uncover the shimmering textures and poetic depth of early plucked string repertoire, bringing rarely heard gems into vivid life.