Artistic Director Jack Liebeck’s opening concert began not with a theatrical splash – that happens later in the week with a whale-watching boat trip and island concert. Nevertheless it was distinctive. William Mabo intoned meditative instruction in a guided relaxation and the silence gathered until Townsville’s Civic Centre Theatre was held in suspense. Following Mabo’s superb exposition on the didgeridoo, he concluded by saying “that was listening to country.”

William Mabo opens AFCM 2024. Photo © Andrew Rankin

Next, The Goldner Quartet, the festival’s quartet-in-residence fired Schumann’s String Quartet in A major Op. 41, No. 3, a love letter to Clara with its opening motive of a falling fifth symbolising his future wife.

For 28 years the Goldners have been a much-loved contributor to this annual celebration of chamber music. In Concert Conversations on day 2, violinist Dene Olding speculated he and Irina Morozova, Dimity Hall and Julian Smiles had spent around a year of their life rehearsing and performing in Townsville.

The Quartet is retiring, its relationship with the AFCM is ending, and a nostalgic crowd wondered at the ensemble’s polished sound and elegant storytelling shaped by exquisite balance, technical precision...