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

What do our opera and dance companies have on offer in the year ahead?

A swirling poem of struggle and survival expressed vividly in dance, multiple languages, music and the moving image.

“Lower your guard,” says incoming Artistic Director Matthew Lutton, heralding the return of Peter Sellars and contemporary music.

Concerned with how we manage to live right now, A Quiet Language sends joyful shafts of light into the darkness.

The latest arts appointments and departures.

Professor Ruth Rentschler commits to a $500,000 bequest on completing her eight-year tenure on the ADT board.

What do our opera and dance companies have on offer in the year ahead?

In record time, new Artistic Director Brett Sheehy has put together a program consolidating the festival’s long-held international reputation.

Opera Queensland, Ensemble Theatre and Australian Dance Theatre among the companies to take works to regional and remote centres.

Simon Stone directs Kaija Saariaho’s last opera, Australian Dance Theatre celebrates 60 years, and Pina Bausch’s Tanztheater Wuppertal returns.

Annette Downs, Geelong Arts Centre, BlakDance, Legs on the Wall and Adelaide Festival among those recognised for excellence in performing arts.