Arrive in Townsville on suggested Qantas flights and make your own way to the hotel. Renaissance Tours or your travel agent can assist you with your flights and other travel arrangements.

At 4pm, join Andy and fellow travellers for a welcome briefing, followed by an early light dinner at the hotel.

Transfer to the Townsville Civic Theatre for the Opening Night Concert entitled Festival Feelings with a diverse and engaging musical program featuring a variety of musical styles.

ARTISTS
Goldner String Quartet, Brett Dean (viola), Piers Lane (piano), Alexandra Raikhlina (violin), Julian Bliss (clarinet), Lloyd van’t Hoff (clarinet), Ana de la Vega (flute), William Barton (didgeridoo), Lotte Betts-Dean (soprano), David Elton (trumpet), David Berlin (cello), Loni Fitzpatrick (harp), Roderick Williams (baritone), Itamar Golan (piano), Umberto Clerici (cello)

PROGRAM
Robert Schumann – String Quartet in A major, Op. 41 No. 3
Jacques Brel – Ne Me Quitte Pas
Percy Grainger – Green Bushes: Passacaglia on an English Folksong
Mark Holdsworth – Hellfire
Maurice Ravel – Petite symphonie à cordes (arr. Rudolph Barshai)
Percy Grainger  – Molly on the Shore

(D)

After breakfast, depart for the Civic Theatre for the first of the Concert Conversations. Delight in a panel discussion hosted by Artistic Director Jack Liebeck interviewing Dene Olding, Dimity Hall, Irina Morozova and Julian Smiles of the Goldner String Quartet followed by a performance of the works discussed.

ARTISTS:
Dene Olding AM (violin), Dimity Hall (violin), Irina Morozova (viola), Julian Smiles (cello)

PROGRAM:
Franz Schubert – String Quartet in D minor for Strings D. 810 (Death and the Maiden)
Ludwig van Beethoven – String Quartet in F major Op. 59 No. 1  (Razumovsky)
Aleksander Borodin – String Quartet No. 2 in D major for Strings
Richard Meale – ‘Cantilena Pacifica’ from String Quartet No. 2
Beethoven – String Quartet in C major, Op. 59 No. 3 (Razumovsky)
Matthew Hindson – Nothing is Forever

After the performance, return to the hotel for some time at leisure before returning to the Townsville Civic Theatre in the late afternoon for the first concert in the Sunset Series entitled Spanish Sunset, a captivating musical journey that seamlessly weaves together a tapestry of Spanish and Latin influences.

PROGRAM:
Joaquín Turina – Piano Quartet in A minor for Piano, Violin, Viola and Cello, Op. 67
Isaac Albeniz– Evocación, Triana from Iberia
Chick Corea – Spain
Xavier Montsalvatge – Cinco Canciones Negras
Manuel Falla – Dance Espagnole (arr. Kreisler)

Then, enjoy dinner at the Townsville Civic Theatre before the Governor’s Gala concert entitled Angels, Demons and other nasties…

PROGRAM:
Timothy Constable – Last Shaman
Brett Dean – Voice of Angels for Piano, Violin, Viola, Cello and Double Bass
Alexandre Tansman – La Danse de la Sorcière
Hector Berlioz – The Damnation of Faust (excerpts)
Igor Stravinsky – Rite of Spring for Piano Four Hands

(BD)

After breakfast, attend a pre-performance talk by Andy. Then, transfer to St James’ Cathedral for a concert of chamber works, including Brahms’ Horn Trio, renowned for its rich and warm sonorities, and Ravel’s Piano Trio, celebrated for its impressionistic textures and vibrant character.

PROGRAM:
Johannes Brahms –Trio in E-flat major for Horn, Piano and Violin, Op. 40
Maurice Ravel –Trio in A Minor for Piano, Violin and Cello

After lunch, enjoy some time at leisure before an evening performance at the Civic Theatre. The concert, entitled Schubertiade, forges a captivating musical journey that includes Die Schöne Müllerin, known for its lyrical beauty, and his Quintet in C Major, a classical masterpiece that brings a touch of elegance to the overall experience.

PROGRAM:
Franz Schubert – Die Schöne Mülllerin (arr. Roderick Williams)
Franz Schubert – Quintet in C Major for Two Violins, Viola, and Two Cellos, D. 956, Op. 163

(BL)

This morning, enjoy a panel discussion in the Concert Conversations series led by Artistic Director Jack Liebeck, including musicians Alexandra Raikhlina, Christian-Pierra La Marca and Roderick Williams, followed by a performance.

PROGRAM:
Fania Chapiro –Four Miniatures
Al Jarreau – Not Like This
Georg Philipp Telemann – Fantasia No. 1 in B flat major for solo Violin, TWV40:14
Joseph Achron – Hebrew Melody
Ennio Morricone – Cinema Paradiso
Camille Saint-Saëns – Sonata for Oboe and Piano, Op. 166

After the concert, enjoy the afternoon at leisure to relax or explore Townsville at your own pace. Attend a pre-performance talk with Andy before returning to the Townsville Civic Theatre in the early evening for the second concert in the Sunset Series titled Roll over Beethoven.

PROGRAM:
Frédéric Chopin – Nocturne in C sharp minor Op.27 No.1
Frédéric Chopin – Nocturne in D-flat major Op.27 No.2
Ludwig van Beethoven – Septet in E-Flat Major for Winds and Strings, Op. 20

Enjoy dinner at the Townsville Civic Theatre during the interval between performances, followed by the final full-length performance, entitled Melodius Monday. This musical program weaves a tapestry of emotional depth, creating a rich and nuanced exploration of diverse musical landscapes.

PROGRAM:
Berwald –Septet for Winds and Strings in B-Flat Major
Stephen Johnson – Unquiet Sleepers
Iannis Xenakis – Psappha
César Franck – Piano Quintet in F minor

After the concert, return to the hotel for a farewell drinks reception with Andy and fellow travellers.

(BD)

Tour arrangements conclude after breakfast. Renaissance Tours or your travel agent can assist you with your flights and other travel arrangements, including any additional nights’ accommodation either before or after the tour and travel insurance (strongly recommended).

(B)