The Tasmanian celebration of all things vocal returns with a host of performers from Australia and overseas. Traditional and contemporary works rub shoulders with cabaret and educational workshops, while headline acts include Hobart-based vocal ensemble JESSA performing contemporary classical repertoire at the Port Arthur Asylum, and vocal works setting words by Australian writers performed by AVÉ alongside polyphony by Bach and Victoria. This year’s Classical Choral Workshop concentrates on Handel, culminating in a concert featuring his Dixit Dominus, performed by the 120 singers of the Festival’s Classical Choral Workshop, and Zadok the Priest, performed by the Come Sing Handel Choir.

Limelight Editor’s Choice

Step into the sonic world of Xani Kolac; a violinist, composer, singer and improviser who is transforming what the electric violin can be. Armed with a loop station, a suite of electronic effects and her unmistakable creative fire, Xani builds vivid soundscapes that move between cinematic warmth, distorted edge and glowing electronic colour.

This is Xani + Machine: a bold, immersive performance where layered strings meet manipulated vocals, where pedal‑driven textures collide with high‑energy violin shredding, and where genre boundaries dissolve in real time.