In this issue we look at Alan John's iconic opera The Eighth Wonder, ABC journalist Sally Sara's debut play, Roland Peelman's Vienna-themed Canberra International Music Festival and Vasily Petrenko's COVID-beard.

Catch up on what's been in the limelight with the top arts stories to recently make headlines.

Francesco Celata is the latest SSO star to shine as soloist in this concert conducted by Asher Fisch.

The Metropolitan Opera’s former music director, whose relationship with the house ended in disgrace after multiple claims of sexual misconduct, has died at the age of 77.

Virginia Gay brings us a new gender-flipped Cyrano de Bergerac on a program with three new Australian works, two Australian premieres and the postponed As You Like It.

The British composer, who died in 1944, has had her music honoured at the GRAMMY Awards for the first time, while other classical winners include Gustavo Dudamel, JoAnn Falletta and David Robertson.

The Royal Shakespeare Company’s new digital reimagining of A Midsummer Night’s Dream harnesses video game technology and an interactive score conducted by Esa-Pekka Salonen.

Federal Arts Minister Paul Fletcher has resisted calls to extend the subsidy for the arts industry, confirming that JobKeeper will cease on 28 March.

The Australian conductor has been chosen as one of 24 young conductors from 14 countries to compete in Copenhagen in June.

Deborah Cheetham is the MSO's First Nations Creative Chair while Dr Anita Collins has been appointed the Creative Chair for Learning and Engagement.

In a video series that pairs modern masterpieces with new Australian music, the musicians of Ensemble Offspring capture the stillness and anxiety of 2020.

The new festival, which opens on International Women’s Day, takes place in a shop front at Sydney’s World Square.