The Australian winter invites reflection. Reflections such as, “Why doesn’t my house have any insulation?” And “Is it OK to wear a woolly hat in bed?”

In-between such thoughts, it also encourages us to linger a little longer with big questions and this July issue of Limelight does exactly that, bringing together artists, thinkers and musicians who are navigating the spaces between tradition and innovation, memory and imagination, certainty and possibility.

Our cover story this month addresses one of the defining questions of our time: what role should artificial intelligence play in the arts? In Aid or Adversary?, arts journalist Steve Dow speaks with academics, writers and creative practitioners about AI’s growing influence on culture and asks: Could a machine ever produce something as profound as Shakespeare? Should artists embrace these technologies or resist them?

The answers are as varied as the people asked, but together they reveal both the excitement and unease surrounding a technological revolution that is already reshaping creative life.

Questions of legacy and continuity also run through Christopher Lawrence‘s feature on the Australian World Orchestra, which celebrates its 15th anniversary this year. Artistic Director and Chief Conductor Alexander Briger and CEO Gabrielle Thompson reflect on the remarkable journey – from an idea uncorked over a bottle of wine between two Australians at a festival in Aix-en-Provence to one of the nation’s most admired musical institutions.

Elsewhere, innovation takes many forms. Icelandic composer and cellist Hildur Guðnadóttir discusses her boundary-crossing career with Limelight Editor-at-Large Clive Paget, one that includes acclaimed film and television scores and a new commission for the Australian Chamber Orchestra.

There are anniversaries besides the AWO’s to celebrate. In our fourth feature, Albert Ehrnrooth commemorates the 150th anniversary of Manuel de Falla’s birth, exploring how the Spanish composer forged a musical language that resonated far beyond his homeland. And in our monthly Cutting Edge column, Ty Bouque marks the 40th birthday of ELISION Ensemble, whose uncompromising commitment to contemporary music has earned it a place among the world’s most respected new music ensembles.

We also meet some remarkable artists at different stages of their journeys. Cellist Charlotte Miles returns to Australia to perform with the Australian Youth Orchestra and at the Australian Festival of Chamber Music in Cairns after establishing herself in Europe, while composer Holly Harrison reveals the playful contradictions that inform her new concerto for classical accordion, written for James Crabb and commissioned by four of our state orchestras.

Australian baritone David Greco reflects on completing a deeply personal recording project devoted to Schubert’s great song cycles, and pianist Jayson Gillham discusses collaboration, friendship and the art of listening as he prepares to tour with Jordanian-Palestinian pianist Iyad Sughayer.

As always, our regular departments offer their own insights and surprises. In My Music, Opera Australia’s Tahu Matheson shares the formative musical experiences that shaped him, and in Playing Up, Germany’s Stefan Dohr reflects on his relationship with the French horn. In his regular Soapbox column, Guy Noble explains why someone reluctant to take the stage keeps finding himself in front of audiences.

And of course, we have pages dedicated to the must-see and must-hear performances in Australia in July, as well as our in-depth survey of the latest in classical recordings and our guide to to best in classical music broadcasting and streaming.

So rug up, and get reading!

The July 2026 issue of Limelight will be available online from Monday 22 June. Subscribe by Sunday 14 June, 11:59pm AEDT to receive the print edition as soon as it’s available.