Arriving in Australia this month, renowned British clarinettist Michael Collins chats with Clive Paget about his fast-paced career, surviving two terrible setbacks, and why he’s determined to be more choosy about the work he undertakes in future.

Michael Collins sits with his clarinet.
Michael Collins. Photo © Benjamin Ealovega

Once a child star, now a battle-hardened veteran, Michael Collins is Britain’s preeminent clarinettist with a distinguished CV that includes his work as conductor, recording artist and commissioner of new music.

As a performer, he’s a pioneer of the basset clarinet, the once-forgotten 18th-century instrument for which Mozart wrote his famous concerto. What is less well known, however, is how lucky we are to be able to hear him play after two near-disastrous encounters with the fickle finger of fate.

This month...