Features

The extraordinary history of the Simonsen family, 12 of whom were singers.

by Roger Neill

Pianist Stephen Hough discusses the composer-pianist’s turbulent career.

by Clive Paget

The impact of Wendy Carlos on classical music and film scores.

by Paul Ballam-Cross

Why has it taken so long for Patricia Cornelius’s plays to hit the mainstage?

by Elissa Blake

Supported by Musica Viva Australia

Fourteen of the world’s best young chamber ensembles will battle it out at this year’s Melbourne International Chamber Music Competition.

by Jo Litson

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Soundings

Interview

Deborah Cheetham Fraillon plans to restore the arts to their pride of place, and to give young artists a much-needed confidence boost.

by Jansson J. Antmann

On the Record

This month, Tim Mead’s Beauteous Softness does what it says on the can, there’s new music from First Nations composers, and classics from Benjamin Grosvenor and the Brodskys.

by Clive Paget

Cutting Edge

Elliott Gyger explains why each movement of his new viola solo Solitaire follows a strict set of rules.

by Maddy Briggs

Opera

Andrée Greenwell discusses her new chamber opera, Three Marys, written with librettist Christine Evans.

by Caitlin Vincent

Books

The remarkable adventures of a Melburnian operatic dynasty.

★★★

by Diana Simmonds

Film

This crime thriller starring Liam Neeson should be hard-boiled, but feels half-cooked.

★★½

by Jason Blake

Film

Mia Hansen-Løve’s fresh, moving film offers a ray of hope in its depiction of dementia.

★★★½

by Jason Blake

In the Limelight

A round-up of our recent news reports.

The latest arts appointments and departures.

The buzz around live performance.

Radio and streaming concert highlights.

Coda

Guy Noble's Soapbox

Critics generally loved the films Tár and The Banshees of Inisherin, but Guy Noble begs to differ, and offers his own suggestions for the awards they should have won.

by Guy Noble

Playing Up

Popular during the 15th and 16th centuries, the cornetto was rediscovered in the 1950s. Matthew Manchester explains that there is still much to learn about the instrument.

by Matthew Manchester

Sacred Cow

Do stars truly reflect quality or do they gloss over faults in the interests of positivity and a quick media grab?

by Shamistha de Soysa

5 Questions For

The General Manager of 4MBS Classic FM gives us the lowdown on the 30th anniversary of the 4MBS Festival of Classics.

by Gary Thorpe

My Music

The illustrious Australian singer-songwriter’s 30th album, My Life is a Symphony, released this month, is a meaningful, personal look at her four-decade career.

by Kate Ceberano

Playlists

Staff and Contributors

Print Editor
Jo Litson

Digital Editor
Jason Blake

Designer
Tristan Main

Editor-­at-­Large
Clive Paget

Staff Writer
Maddy Briggs

Contributors
Jansson J. Antmann, Paul Ballam-Cross, Elissa Blake, Peter Berner, Kate Ceberano, Harriet Cunningham, Shamistha de Soysa, Matthew Manchester, Roger Neill, Guy Noble, Diana Simmonds, Caitlin Vincent

Publisher

Limelight Arts Media Pty Ltd

Chief Executive Officer
Cara Anderson

Subscriptions & Operations Manager
William Jeffery

Sales Manager
Carla Bird

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Limelight is published by Limelight Arts Media Pty Ltd (ABN 34 624 578 801)

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This month’s cover image is a Minimoog Model D synthesizer by Moog Music Inc, New York, USA, 1970–1972, Museum of Applied Arts and Sciences 87/1415. Gift of Michael Crighton, 1987.