Given the major disruptions brought to bear upon live concerts during the COVID outbreak, there was a strong chance that the esteemed Coriole Festival in the McLaren Vale, South Australia would be put on hold for a second year. It was only the generosity of donors, which led to the Festival going ahead on 22 and 23 May. However whilst corners may have been cut in catering, the all-important music was as well planned and executed as ever. And I guess there is one great positive thing to come from the virus, with the lack of touring international musicians, we have come to realise just what fine musicians we have within Australia.

Andrew Haveron and Anna Goldsworthy. Photograph © Sam Roberts

In her second year as Artistic Director, the multi-talented Anna Goldsworthy excelled on many fronts in terms of programming, the selection of musicians, her ease and knowledge as a public speaker and commentator, not to mention her excellence as a pianist – both as a soloist and a chamber musician. Her choice of fellow performers was inspired – bringing front desk musicians from the Sydney Symphony Orchestra (violinist Andrew Haveron, violist Tobias...