While Cyclone Alfred carved its way to the coast of Northern NSW and Queensland, it was strange to think that its reach could be felt all the way in the Central West. 

The Brisbane-based Orava Quartet were originally slated to perform at the opening night of the 2025 Orange Chamber Music Festival. The cancellation of flights made it impossible for them to attend. Victim by proxy, the festival had a mere day and a half to pivot.

The ACO Collective Quartet. Doretta Balkizas and Natalie Mavridis (violin), Henry Justo (viola) and Hamish Jamieson (cello). Photo © Peter Hislop.

The ACO Collective, a quartet comprising alumni from the Australian Chamber Orchestra’s Emerging Artist program stepped up to bat in Orava’s absence, with even less time to whip up a program worthy for opening night.

And worthy it was. The ACO Collective’s program was a broad and exciting array – Mendelssohn’s String Quartet No. 1, Caroline Shaw’s Entr’acte, Richard Meale’s Cantilena Pacifica and arrangements of traditional folk songs (the latter three were also part of the Collective’s program...