Artistic Director Eugene Ughetti’s 2026 program is deeply rooted in place, from site-specific bell works at Parliament House and the National Carillon to chamber and choral premieres.
Anna-Louise Cole sings Wagner Lieder and Strauss’s Four Last Songs, the Australian String Quartet surveys British music from Purcell to Britten and Rebecca Clarke, and Switzerland’s Ensemble Contrechamps delivers a meditative performance of Jürg Frey’s Récit des sensations fragiles at Snow Concert Hall. Luminescence Chamber Singers unveils a program built around a bespoke vocal-processing system, while The Rite of Spring closes the festival in Stravinsky’s own arrangement for two pianos and percussion

Limelight Editor’s Choice

His Excellency Mr. Stavros Venizelos, Ambassador of Greece, and Ms. Larisa Tikaidi will be opening the doors to the Greek Embassy for a spirited breakfast as we delve into the world of contemporary and avant garde music. Guided by the cultural insight and personal passion of the Greek Ambassador to Australia, we discuss key works from the Festival program with the artists and experts who have brought them to Canberra.

Legendary saxophone soloist Pierre-Stéphane Meugé will perform two significant works. The first is by the towering Greek composer Georges Aperghis, a pioneer of interdisciplinary musical dramaturgy, written especially for Meugé. It is followed by a work by the acclaimed Swiss composer Nadir Vassena.

A light breakfast will be served from 8:30am.