Australian Festival of Chamber Music unveils its program for Townsville

The Australian Festival of Chamber Music (AFCM) has announced a compact program of online concerts and masterclasses as part of the line-up in the month-long North Australian Festival of Arts (NAFA) with Townsville's popular and free Queens Garden Concert to take place live, albeit under COVID-Safe conditions, on Saturday 24th October

While the concerts have limited seating to be COVID-Safe, no one has to miss out! In a first for Townsville, the evening recitals will be streamed worldwide through the renowned Melbourne Digital Concert Hall; while the Queens Gardens Concert will be free to view on social media.

AFCM Artistic Director Kathryn Stott advised “the COVID-19 pandemic has had an unimaginable toll on arts organisations, artists and events around the world, including the postponement of AFCM to July 2021, so we are thrilled to work with NAFA and Townsville City Council to present some chamber music concerts, music workshops and our much-loved free community concert in the park during October 2020,”

Townsville Mayor Jenny Hill said it was exciting for Townsville to welcome AFCM back to the city as part of NAFA COVID Safe and added “the AFCM is something that the Townsville community really looks forward to, so I am very happy that we are able to host AFCM as part of NAFA COVID Safe by using technology to our advantage

“I’m sure that there will be a great turnout for all of the AFCM’s events at our beautiful Queens Gardens and the Townsville Civic Theatre. It’s been a tough year for everyone, but this is a surefire way to lift spirits and enjoy some of the best in Australian music.”  

The AFCM was scheduled to be held from 31st July to 9th August in Townsville, North Queensland. It was to be the 30th anniversary of the annual musical extravaganza that attracts musicians and fans from all over the world, and the final under the artistic direction of acclaimed British pianist Kathryn Stott. It was postponed earlier this year due to COVID19, with most of the program and artists successfully rescheduled to run from 23rd July to 1st August 2021.

AFCM principal partners include Queensland Government through Tourism and Events Queensland and Arts Queensland, and Townsville City Council. The Australian Festival of Chamber Music is supported by the Queensland Government through Tourism and Events Queensland and features on the It’s Live! in Queensland events calendar.

For all information on concerts and workshops, booking details and registrations go to www.afcm.com.au/festival/nafa-2020/