A new national presenter, Classical Music Australia, has launched with an ambitious program of international touring artists and a Pay What You Can ticketing model aimed at widening access to live performance.

Founded by producer and cellist Chris Howlett, the organisation will mount six national tours in its inaugural year, bringing high-profile artists to major metropolitan and regional centres.

The 2026 program opens this month with British vocal ensemble The King’s Singers in Melbourne (4 March) and Sydney (5 March).

The King’s Singers. Portrait supplied

Further tours will feature violinist and conductor Pinchas Zukerman (Melbourne, Sydney and Adelaide from April 21-23); violinist Daniel Hope (Melbourne and Sydney in June); pianist and Limelight International Artist of the Year Sir Stephen Hough (Bendigo, Melbourne, Sydney and Adelaide in October); mezzo-soprano Anne Sofie von Otter (Perth, Adelaide and Melbourne in November); and violinist Ning Feng (Melbourne and Sydney in December).

Central to the company’s model is a structured Pay What You Can system, which allows audiences to nominate their own ticket price.

Howlett said the approach...