Rossini’s rarely-performed opera was written for the coronation of a king, with all the excess that entails. Director Damiano Michieletto explains how he got to grips with an opera that’s more showpiece than drama, and why he had to set it in an art gallery.

To celebrate Mother’s Day, four composers featured on ABC Classic’s Women of Note compilation tell us about the women who inspired them.

One of classical music’s famous failures, Beethoven’s Violin Concerto tanked at its premiere in 1806. What’s less well-known is how the notoriously difficult composer was persuaded to recast it for piano.

The composer tells us about Rituals of Heartland, inspired by a magical, snowy childhood in Ukraine and her daughter's vivid imagination.

A muse to Chopin, Berlioz and Liszt, Pauline Viardot was also an accomplished singer, pianist and composer. We celebrate the long life of one of the 19th-century’s brightest stars.

Amy Hollingsworth, the new Artistic Director of Expressions Dance Company, launches her first season.

The Balkan superstar, known for his infectious, gypsy-inspired songs, and his message of peace, is about to perform some old and new songs in Australia.

The piano four-hands duo ZOFO tell us about their modern take on Mussorgsky’s musical gallery experience, which saw them commission 15 brand-new pieces based on artworks from around the world.

We spoke to the SSO's Associate Principal Trumpet ahead of concerts celebrating his 40-year anniversary with the ensemble.

Matthew Lutton directs the first professional staging of the epic play in two decades.

The conductor speaks to Limelight about an upcoming Canberra Symphony gala in memory of Richard Gill.

Before he embarks on a complete cycle of Bach’s solo works over a single day at the Canberra International Music Festival, violinist Kristian Winther tells us why he’s channelling the monster that never breathes.