The new issue reveals the results of our critical blind-testing of six of Australia’s top orchestras.

The April issue of Limelight hits the newsstands today and is, as usual, available from our online store with free postage!

Australia’s major orchestra’s are frequently descibed as “World Class”, but how do they fare in their own backyard? Our panel of expert judges has blind-tested the six state orchestras to create the country’s first ever ranking of symphony orchestras.

Totally Terfel

We caught up with the world’s most famous bass-baritone in Milan ahead of his Australian tour. The Welsh songman talks Verdi (and Lady Gaga!) in an exclusive interview.

Sayonara Tokyo String Quartet

After 40 years together, the legendary Tokyo String Quartet is retiring with one last farewell tour to Australia. The group talks intimately about the separation pains and cutting the strings.

Thomas Adès: Composing the Impossible

The intimidating British composer, conductor and virtuoso pianist grants Limelight a rare interview. Thomas Adès writes fiendishly difficult music with prodigious ease; we try to figure out what makes him tick.

Musical Journey: An Opera Revolution in Cape Town

Why hundreds of thousands of South African youths are teaching themselves to sing Mozart and Verdi when they don’t have food to eat: we take a confronting yet rewarding tour through the townships of South Africa.

Verdi: A Life in Four Operas

Celebrating the bicentenary of his birth, Verdi’s rags-to-riches story is told through four of his seminal operas, among the most beloved in the repertoire today. Renée Fleming and Bryn Terfel share their experiences singing the great Verdian roles.

ALSO IN THE MAGAZINE

Reviews

A whopping 24 pages of classical CD, DVD, book and live concert reviews, including Lisa Batiashvili’s breathtaking Brahms, Janine Jansen’s fiery new recording of Prokofiev’s works for violin; Steven Osborne‘s picture-perfect Pictures at an Exhibition and Visions Fugitives; The Ebène String Quartet‘s magnificent Mendelssohn, Jonas Kaufmann’s pitch-perfect Wagner recital and more.

The Limelight Classical Chart

Exclusive to Limelight, this chart ranks the top 20 best-selling classical CDs and DVDs according to monthly sales figures drawn from Australia’s leading classical specialist stores. Unlike other charts, Limelight‘s specially assembled list admits only pure classical releases – it’s not diluted with crossover.

ABC Highlights

The only magazine to feature highlights and recommendations for ABC Classic FM, Radio National and ABC TV.

All this and more in the April issue of Limelight, out now.