Welcome to the July issue of Limelight magazine. Our cover star this month? Bonjour Erik Satie!

One of the most iconoclastic classical composers of the 20th century and an oddball to boot, Satie died 100 years ago this month. We mark the centenary with Albert Ehrnrooth‘s deep-dive exploration of the life and music of a true original, a precursor of modernism and a composer John Cage once described as “indispensable”.

While we’re speaking of things French … George Bizet’s Carmen is among the most popular and regularly reimagined works of the operatic canon. Ahead of a bold new production for Opera Australia, director Anne-Louise Sarks talks to Deborah Jones about her extensive background in exploring classic texts and zooming in what resonates for a modern audience without losing sight of the work’s original intent. Carmen, Sarks tells Limelight, “still has something teach us about love and about power”.

Also this month, John Shand interviews jazz singer Lisa Simone – daughter of the great singer-composer and pianist Nina Simone – ahead of her latest Australian tour. She reflects on her journey...