Martha Argerich, who was to have made her hotly anticipated Australian debut with the Sydney Symphony Orchestra next week, has withdrawn from all three engagements. One of the greatest pianists of the last 50 years, and still playing at the age of 75, she has a reputation for cancelling.

Yuja Wang, whose career was launched when she stepped in for Argerich as a last-minute substitute in 2007, will again replace the Argentine pianist. This is Wang’s third time performing in Australia – she first gave a performance in Perth as a 10-year-old, and most recently appeared with the SSO in 2015.

In a statement to Sydney audiences, Argerich said:

“Dear Sydney public, I am terribly sorry to disappoint you and my dearest friend and lifetime musical partner Charles Dutoit [read Limelight’s recent interview with him about Argerich’s intended Australian debut] who is the father of our daughter Annie. This is a very important event, his anniversary, 40 years after his first visit to your beautiful country. I am unable to travel and play in this moment, feel very weak, exhausted and having physical pains that worry me, please excuse me! In this condition I am afraid to travel such...