During the past four years, the English violinist Kate Suthers has firmly established her position in South Australian musical life through her successful appointment as Concertmaster of the Adelaide Symphony Orchestra.

In 2026, she adds another pertinent string to her bow by taking charge of the chamber music-based Coriole Festival as artistic director. Through her local and international endeavours, she has corralled a truly excellent group of chamber musicians with whom she presented a balanced and compelling series of concerts centred on Viennese art music – particularly composers associated with fin-de-siècle late Romanticism and more conservative musical traditions. The vast majority would flee to America after the Nazi scourge of the 1930s. Many took up teaching positions, influencing and adding much to the textures and structures of 20th-century musical forms in that vast country.

Coriole Music Festival Artistic Director Kate Suthers. Portrait © Jamois

In order to avoid repetition regarding Suthers’ confederates within this sympathetic and balanced group of chamber musicians, it is best to mention them individually here. Joining Suthers were the experienced soprano Desiree Frahn and the quietly formidable, gentle yet masterly pianist Michael Ierace, who is equally at...