The King of Townsville-Gurambilbarra and radio legend – Steve ‘Pricey’ Price – will host the Australian Festival of Chamber Music’s much loved and FREE Queens Gardens Concert on Sunday, July 28 at 4pm.
It's the concert that’s loved by all ages and enjoyed by thousands; and being outdoors in the glorious North Queensland wintersun, it’s the envy of music fans across the country.
The AFCM Queens Gardens Concert is co-presented by Townsville City Council and is a highlight of the 10-day Festival each year.
This year’s event features the AFCM Artistic Director himself Jack Liebeck (violin) along with Katie Yap (viola), Queensland Symphony Orchestra Chief Conductor Umberto Clerici (cello), Kees Boersma (double bass), Jackie Newcombe (bassoon), Julian Bliss (clarinet), Ben Jacks (French horn), Benjamin Roskams (viola), Anna Rabinowicz (viola) and the Barrier Reef Orchestra under the baton of Theordore Kuchar.
The music program will include works from Beethoven, Bernstein, Dvorak, John Williams and Australia’s Elena Kats-Chernin.
“With Pricey as host, our Queens Gardens Concert will be even more entertaining; he is a great friend of the AFCM and has supported so many of our events. We couldn’t be more excited to have him as our host on July 28!” said AFCM Executive Director Ricardo Peach.
The man himself, Steve ‘Pricey’ Price said, “I’ve loved this wonderful Festival from the first note all those years ago. Our city in the sun is blessed to host it, and truly, there is no better stage than Queens Gardens.”
“The glorious sounds of the resident Kookaburra’s and the afternoon breeze through the leaves of the mighty mango tree, will join our Festival musicians for this free concert. I look forward to being there with you. Happy days,” he said.
AFCM Queens Garden Concert
Date: Sunday 28 July 2024
Time: 4:00 pm (Gates open at 3:00 pm)
Location: Queens Gardens
Admission: Free
Concert Program:
Traditional Welcome to Country
Performed by William Mabo, Ashley Saltner, and the Wulgurukaba Walkabouts
Leonard Bernstein – Symphonic Dances: IV - Mambo
Performed by the Barrier Reef Orchestra, conducted by Theodore Kuchar
Elena Kats-Chernin – Dance of the Paper Umbrellas
Performed by AFCM Festival Artists
Antonín Dvořák – Symphony No. 8 in G major, B. 163 (excerpt)
Performed by the Barrier Reef Orchestra, conducted by Theodore Kuchar
Intermission
Ludwig van Beethoven – Septet in E-flat major for Winds and Strings, Op. 20 (Movts 1 & 6)
Performed by Umberto Clerici (Cello), Julian Bliss (Clarinet), Ben Jacks (French Horn), Kees Boersma (Double Bass), Jackie Newcomb (Bassoon), Benjamin Roskams (Viola), and Adam Barnett-Hart (Violin)
Christoph Willibald Gluck – "Dance of the Blessed Spirits" from Orpheus
Performed by the Barrier Reef Orchestra, featuring Anna Rabinowicz (Flute), conducted by Theodore Kuchar
Vittorio Monti – Csárdás
Performed by the Barrier Reef Orchestra, featuring Julian Bliss (Clarinet), conducted by Theodore Kuchar
Gustav Holst – The Planets: Jupiter
Performed by the Barrier Reef Orchestra, conducted by Theodore Kuchar
John Williams – Star Wars (excerpts)
Performed by the Barrier Reef Orchestra, conducted by Theodore Kuchar
Featured Artists:
- Barrier Reef Orchestra
- Adam Barnett-Hart (Violin)
- Umberto Clerici (Cello)
- Kees Boersma (Double Bass)
- Jackie Newcomb (Bassoon)
- Julian Bliss (Clarinet)
- Ben Jacks (French Horn)
- Benjamin Roskams (Viola)
- Anna Rabinowicz (Flute)
- Theodore Kuchar (Conductor)
- Wulgurukaba Walkabouts
WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW:
Bring a picnic, chairs, or a blanket and enjoy an afternoon of sunshine and music. Cafe and bar facilities will be available on-site. Please note that this event is licensed, and no BYO alcohol is permitted.
ABOUT THE AUSTRALIAN FESTIVAL OF CHAMBER MUSIC:
With two world premieres, the return of Stephen Johnson, Piers Lane, Roderick Williams, Lotte Betts-Dean and Brett Dean, the official farewell of the Goldner String Quartet, the Festival debut of famed cellist and conductor, Umberto Clerici and 13 other artists, and more Guilty Pleasures, the Australian Festival of Chamber Music in Townsville-Gurambilbarra continues to sound extraordinary!
This year, from 26 July to 4 August, more than 35 artists including 10 international artists, 20 Australian artists and 5 ensembles, will create the music and atmosphere in Townsville-Gurambilbarra for which the AFCM is famed around the world. Fourteen artists will make their AFCM debut and the program includes two world premieres and one Australian premiere.
26 July to 4 August 2024 in Townsville-Gurambilbarra, North Queensland
Concert tickets and Festival passes on sale NOW
www.afcm.com.au | Facebook | Instagram | Twitter | #afcm
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. The Queensland Government supports the Australian Festival of Chamber Music (AFCM) through Arts Queensland.
ENDS
For media enquiries please contact Kath Rose | 0416 291 493 | kath@kathrose.com
