Musica Viva Australia celebrates its 80th birthday in 2025, and it’s a milestone that Artistic Director Paul Kildea reflects on with fondness.

“I feel enormous gratitude,” he tells Limelight. “I feel a huge responsibility in this role, because chamber music is the genre of music that most appeals to me, that makes me most excited, that energises me, so I feel a special responsibility to do it really well.” 

Paul Kildea. Photo © Musica Viva Australia

The 2025 season pays tribute to the Musica Viva origin story – centred on the efforts of immigrants Richard Goldner and Walter Dullo to bring the musical culture they loved to their new country, and their starting of an organisation that would “change the culture” of Australia immeasurably.

“And that’s what we’ve continued to do ever since,” says Kildea.

As Artistic Director, Kildea has always aimed higher than playing the role of presenter. His programming is fascinated with the ways it can engage international artists in a two-way dialogue that’s undeniably Australian...