Tequila disguised as a slice of lemon; musicians in cages; Bach in the dark.

Who says Tasmania doesn’t know how to party?

The Museum of Old and New Art ravished its patrons with sound, colour, taste, and wine in Synaesthesia+ – a full weekend of music and feasts. Greeted at the door by theatrically dressed ladies offering pink Sichuan pepper macarons, it was obvious that this would be an unconventional – and unforgettable – experience.

The Tasmanian Symphony Orchestra opened the weekend in the spacious Nolan Gallery with the world premiere of Matthew Hindson’s ambiguous Resonance, before being joined by violinist Richard Tognetti for Ligeti’s Violin Concerto. The lighting immediately embodied the concept of synaesthesia, with blue helping to portray the more discretely disturbing aspects to this tormented work, and red to exaggerate the jabbing and murderous rages. The orchestra drifted between piercingly and thunderously loud with the audience seated close enough to feel it. Tognetti gave his first of many outstanding performances over the weekend, swaying to his music in Converse-style sneakers.

Recorder virtuoso Genevieve Lacey was a real highlight of the event. She first appeared solo in the atmospheric Void, with audience members gathering on antique armchairs and nursing...