Silkroad Ensemble and Mark Morris Dance Group perform Azerbaijani dance-opera at the Melbourne Festival.

Monty Python irreverence, a "kinky" Gilbert and Sullivan, and a new Australian musical are part of the bill.

A delightful concert version with a top cast led by Alexander Lewis, Caroline O'Connor and a glittering Annie Aitken.

Brian Howard’s opera is given an impressive revival in a suitably grungy new performance space.

Liam Scarlett premieres a full-length Dangerous Liaisons, Bespoke creates contemporary dance for the digital ages, while several favourites return.

Highlights include new full-length ballets by Graeme Murphy and Stanton Welch, Les Ballets de Monte-Carlo in Lac, and a new Resident Choreographer.

Life looks busy for the young conductor with new positions at Sydney Chamber Choir, Christ Church of St Laurence, and Gondwana Choirs.

Bruce Beresford’s film Ladies in Black is about to grace the screen. Composer Christopher Gordon tells us about his music, which suits the 1950s period but doesn’t sound like the score from a movie of that era.

Ahead of her return to Australia, the German violinist tells Jo Litson how she used to listen to her parents make music under the grand piano, as well as her special connection to Hindemith.

Lucas Jervies is creating a new Spartacus for The Australian Ballet. As he tells Jo Litson, he is exploring ancient Rome through a contemporary lens, and even incorporating wrestling techniques into his high-impact choreography.

Pantomime and slapstick rule the day in a gleefully brash production.

The versatile, busy UK composer talks about her sublime score for Memorial opening soon at Brisbane Festival and London’s Barbican Theatre.