As the COVID situation worsens throughout Australia, the Melbourne Digital Concert Hall is spreading its embrace further and further, announcing Sydney and Brisbane concert series that go beyond traditional classical repertoire.

Hamed Sadeghi, leader of the Eishan Ensemble. Photograph © Alex Apt Photography

Tonight sees a Brisbane Gala featuring Wakka Wakka didgeridoo soloist Chris Williams and the Southern Cross Soloists give the world premiere of Sean O’Boyle’s Didgeridoo Concerto: Earth, Wind, Water, Fire, coupled with pianist Daniel de Borah performing one of Bach’s keyboard partitas, and a selection of Rachmaninov’s Études-Tableaux.

On Friday 23 July, live from the empty The Concourse in Sydney’s Chatswood, pianist Grace Kim will perform beloved works by Mozart, Ravel and Chopin at 7pm, before sensational Persian fusion group, the Eishan Ensemble, makes its MDCH debut at 8:30pm.

For MDCH Co-Director Chris Howlett, this shift into non-classical music is a logical extension of their mission to support the music industry throughout Australia.

“No matter where we are in Australia, all artists are being affected”, Howlett says. “The MDCH mantra has always been to support artists in general, as well as the technicians and...