Limelight

Independent, in-depth and intelligent, Limelight offers Australia's finest coverage of music, arts and culture. Inside each issue, we invite you to take a deep dive into at least four main features exploring the music, opera, theatre and dance sectors, as well as articles addressing the big issues facing the arts and entertainment industry. Additional interviews, reviews and opinion pieces are included in the Soundings and Coda sections. Plus, discover upcoming events across the country in On Stage, and schedule your at-home listening with On Air & Online, which includes ABC Classic, independent radio and online broadcast information.

Limelight

Contributors

On Stage

Newsworthy • A round-up of our recent news reports

CROSSES TO BEAR • Actor and writer Kate Mulvany developed her empathetic fascination with humanity during long stretches in hospital as a child. As she prepares to perform in her own adaptation of classic Australian novel The Shiralee for Sydney Theatre Company, she discusses her life and work with Steve Dow.

Left of Centre • Born without a right hand, British pianist Nicholas McCarthy is a champion of left-hand-alone repertoire with a busy international career. Ahead of performances with the Melbourne Symphony Orchestra, he tells Elissa Blake about the challenges (and joys) of playing left-hand repertoire, and why he has become known for shooting out his left leg.

Breath of Life • Sydney Dance Company’s latest triple bill Continuum includes a new work, choreographed by Stephen Page to music by William Barton, who will perform the score live with Omega Ensemble. Jane Albert finds out how it came about.

SEEING SOUND • What is synaesthesia? How does it manifest itself in music makers and their listeners? Jansson J. Antmann talks to leading expert Professor Anina Rich from Macquarie University to find out and uncovers the unique experiences of composer Alice Chance, oboist Celia Craig, Canberra Symphony Orchestra’s Chief Conductor Jessica Cottis and one of its subscribers, Shirley Allen.

Key Changes • When Benjamin Grosvenor signed with Decca in 2011, he was their first British pianist in almost 60 years. He talks to Clive Paget about the music on his forthcoming tour and how his interpretations have changed over the years.

What’s new on disc • This month features a gripping new opera by Jake Heggie, plus music dramas by Handel and Bantock, Sheku Kanneh-Mason’s latest and a treasurable new symphony by Mark Isaacs.

Access and Inclusion • Soprano Ria Andriani has co-curated a concert for BackStage Music called Unbound, featuring artists with and without disability. She explains who is involved, and why it is vital to open up spaces for artists with disability.

Dastard to Larrikin • London-based baritone Morgan Pearse has returned to Australia for several months. He chats to Shamistha de Soysa about his forthcoming engagements, including playing Mercutio in Roméo et Juliette for State Opera South Australia.

In Love Again • Laura Murphy’s musical The Lovers was first staged by Bell Shakespeare in 2022. She talks to Jo Litson as Shake & Stir Theatre Co presents a new production.

Never Miss a Beat by Michael Atherton • The multifaceted musician traces his career in an honest, engaging narrative.

Vermiglio • The rituals of village life are vividly captured in this austere yet arresting drama set in the Italian Alps.

Star-Crossed Lovers • State Opera South Australia’s Artistic Director Dane Lam and director Rodula Gaitanou talk to Jansson J. Antmann about their new production of Gounod’s Roméo et Juliette.

Inner Voices • Interested in learning more about string quartets? The Australian String Quartet has launched a new podcast in which the four musicians bring their personal...