Season Preview: Your guide to the arts in 2021

Streaming platform Melbourne Digital Concert Hall, launched in March as a response to Australian musicians losing income due to the COVID-19 pandemic, has big plans for the 2021 season, with 300 concerts planned.

Chris Howlett and Adele SchonhardtMelbourne Digital Concert Hall Co-Directors Chris Howlett and Adele Schonhardt. Photo © Albert Comper

The initiative, spearheaded by Co-Directors Adele Schonhardt and Chris Howlett, has already raised $1 million, picked up a Special Achievement Award at the 2020 National Live Music Awards, and transformed the classical music landscape, broadcasting concerts from its home base – the Athenaeum Theatre in Melbourne – as well as venues across Australia and the world.

“2021 on MDCH is going to be an incredibly exciting year as we traverse the country, broadcast 300 concerts and by doing so, support at least 500 artists, connect audiences with live music and redefine what is possible,” said Howlett.

The new year will see MDCH embracing concerts that feature both live audiences and livestreaming as...