Australian players feature strongly in the prestigious event's 25th-anniversary edition, to be held in Queenstown and Auckland.

A fight for artistic freedom, the breaking down of barriers for musicians with disability and the future of our national opera company in our top stories for 2025.

Emily Sun, Nexas Quartet and a world premiere by Ross Edwards are among the highlights of a regional festival flush with Aussie talent.

"Practical and community considerations" lead to the shelving of a new work by Sydney's Legs on the Wall.

Proof (were it needed) that the promise of nudity always boosts traffic.

Our readers gravitated to daring premieres, festival feats and revisited classics alike.

Revivals of beloved musicals and brand-new works in this year's most-read mix.

Franco Zeffirelli's Aida will be part of the 2027 Adelaide Festival, but no word yet on its stars.

Nominations span 56 productions, reflecting the breadth of work across mainstage, independent and musical theatre.

Our top 10 opera reviews chart an operatic landscape where bold new works jostle with reimagined classics for audience attention.

Jesse Watt, Biddy Connor, Ayda Akbal and James Peter Brown recognised for their contribution to the tradition of light music.

Both companies acknowledge the talent, commitment and artistic growth of outstanding dancers as they rise through the ranks.