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.

The outpourings of over 200 women formed the basis of a song cycle or musical ‘blog’.

The saxophonist and composer draws on the life of his great grandfather Heini Portnoj, who escaped the Nazis and came to Australia in 1940, in the first live performances of his suite Vienna Dreaming.

Roland Peelman’s program draws inspiration from Vienna, in an all-Australian line-up that will see Indigenous artists featured every day of the Festival.

We speak to the Festival’s Artistic Director Roland Peelman as he launches the Festival’s digital offering and looks ahead to 2021.

Collaborations between Indigenous musicians and composers with Western classical orchestras, ensembles and musicians are beginning to grow. Steve Dow talks to some of the artists participating in the cultural exchange about the challenges involved, the protocols that need to be respected, and the exciting new Australian sounds that are emerging.

Roland Peelman, Claire Spencer, Tim Minchin, Caroline O’Connor, Hugo Weaving and Wesley Enoch are among those recognised in the 2020 Australia Day Honours.

Health-related projects come out on top, with a number of classical music individuals and organisations like the Four Winds Festival and Claire Edwardes also successful.

With the year drawing to a close, we look back over the classical music concerts that wowed our critics in 2019.

Indigenous voices will feature prominently in next year’s festival, which will include 10 world premieres and a performance of Haydn’s Creation in tribute to Richard Gill.

With ticket sales up 12 percent on last year, the Festival’s 25th anniversary year has been its most successful ever.

An astonishing performance.