Entertainment
15 February, 2026
Sunny vista for classics
THE Australian Festival of Chamber Music (AFCM) has revealed its 2026 program, marking the festival’s first full season in Cairns.
Running from 24 July to 1 August, the nine-day festival will bring Australian and international musicians to the region for a series of concerts, special events and conversations staged against the backdrop of the rainforest and Reef.
The program was revealed by artistic director Jack Liebeck, with tickets available now for AFCM Friends and on sale to the public from Monday 2 March.
International artists featured in the 2026 line-up include Berlin Philharmonic principal horn Stefan Dohr, pianist Piers Lane, French cellist Christian-Pierre La Marca and Irish tenor Robin Tritschler. They will perform alongside musicians from Australia, Europe, Asia and the UK as well as emerging artists connected to the festival’s education and development programs.
Australian performers include violinist Emmalena Huning, oboist Emmanuel Cassimatis, flautist Joshua Batty, cellist Julian Smiles, guitarist Karin Schaupp, violist Stefanie Farrands, French Horn player Ben Jacks, clarinettist Lloyd Van’t Hoff, double bassist Kees Boersma, lute and theorbo player Simon Martyn Ellis and narrator-actor Bethany Simons.
Melbourne-born cellist Charlotte Miles, now based in Germany, returns to the festival after appearing in 2025.
“This season we’re thrilled to welcome back Piers Lane and members of the former Goldner String Quartet, alongside first timers to AFCM such as the world-renowned Sitkovetsky Piano Trio and German virtuoso pianist Alexander Krichel,” Mr Liebeck said.
“We’re also proud to present Gramophone award-winning tenor Robin Tritschler and showcase fresh, daring works from our AFCM Pathways Emerging Composer in Residence Sam Wu, who is writing two new works for the festival.”
A major feature of the program is Australian composer Lee Bradshaw’s completion of ‘January 27, 1945’, an unfinished work by Czech composer Gideon Klein, alongside a new work by British composer Alex Turley.
Minister for the Arts John-Paul Langbroek said the festival was a standout event on Queensland’s cultural calendar, while Queensland Minister for Tourism and the Environment Andrew Powell said it was expected to deliver around $3 million to the state’s economy.
Cairns Mayor Amy Eden said the program highlighted the cultural and economic benefits the festival would bring to the city.
The festival will open with ‘Cairns Crescendo’ and conclude with ‘So Long, Farewell’.
For more visit www.bit.ly/3Mp6xFB
