A selection of performances and interviews from 3MBS guests about the what, who and when of music and the arts in Melbourne.
Anthony Albrecht, Co-founder of The Bowerbird Collective, speaks with Susie May. They speak about the role of music in highlighting the beauty of the natural environment and the upcoming concert ’Where Song Began’, a celebration of songbirds, which features Anthony on cello and his partner Simone Slattery on violin, together with an evocative multimedia component. The concert will take place at the Melbourne Recital Centre on Saturday, June 6, 7:30pm Tickets and program details are available through the following link: https://www.melbournerecital.com.au/whats-on/current-productions/where-song-began
Susie May speaks with Vladimir Fanshil, Founder, Live at Yours about the unconventional, young French pianist Lucas Debargue who has been described as an “Ambassador for less fearful musical culture”. His upcoming Melbourne concert, ‘L’Enigme Française’ will include Ravel’s, ‘Gaspard de la nuit’ and the artist’s own rendition of Gershwin’s ‘Summertime Variations.’ The concert will take place at the Toorak Synagogue, 8/379 Toorak Road, Toorak Tickets are available through: liveatyours.com.au/lucas
Sue Kaufmann speaks with pianist Cameron Roberts, who will be performing in 'Bach - A Diary of Life and Love' on the 30th of May 2026 at the Church of All Nations in Carlton. For more information and tickets go to: https://www.cameronroberts.com.au
Nick Tolhurst speaks with pianist Georgina Lewis about her special recital for 3MBS subscribers on the 4th of June at The University of Melbourne's Graduate House, 220 Leicester Street, Carlton. Tickets are $20 for the Recital at 1pm, or why not enjoy a delicious three-course lunch before settling into a wonderful afternoon recital. Lunch is only $20. To book, go to https://www.3mbs.org.au/3mbs-events/2026/georgina-lewis Image credits: Brent Lukey
Sue Kaufmann speaks with Leah Justin from the Justin Art House Museum, about Shaping Soundscapes: a multisensory experience of photography and music on Saturday the 23rd of May at the Justin Art House Museum in Prahran, and part of the 2026 3MBS Made in Melbourne series. For more information and tickets go to: https://www.3mbs.org.au/3mbs-events/2026/shaping-soundscapes-20 Image credits: Leah and Charles Justin
Sue Kaufmann speaks with Melbourne-based composer and harpist Katia Mestrovic about her upcoming concert with harpists Paul Nicolaou and Natalia Mann, of harp solo and trio music, Australian harp fest: solo and trio at Tempo Rubato on Friday, the 29th of May. For more information and bookings go to trybooking.com
Sue Kaufmann speaks with pianist Kristian Chong who will be performing in an all-Schubert recital, Fantasies and Mystical Schubert on Thursday the 28th of May at the Nightingale Gallery in Armadale. For more information and tickets go to: https://nightingale-gallery.myshopify.com/products/fantasies-and-mystical-schubert-nightingale-performing-arts-australia-piano-series Image credit to John Tsiavis
Nick Tolhurst speaks with Affinity Quartet cellist Mee Na Lojewski about their forthcoming performance Shaping Soundscapes 2.0 —Seeing is Believing: Points of Affinity at the Justin Art House Museum, 1pm & 5pm Saturday the 23rd of May, as part of 3MBS Melbourne’s Made in Melbourne series. Justin Art House Museum is at 3 Lumley Court Prahran. For tickets go to 3mbs.org.au. Ticket prices include refreshments in the Justin Art House Museum apartment after the performance.
Sue Kaufmann speaks with Australian String Quartet violinist, Francesca Hiew about the Quartet’s upcoming concert, ‘Interwoven’ on Thursday the 21st of May at the Melbourne Recital Centre. For more information and tickets go to: https://asq.com.au/liveconcerts/interwoven/ Image credit to Jacqui Way
Sue Kaufmann speaks with the Zoe Knighton from Flinders Quartet. Flinders Quartet present three performances of their new program, Voices between Worlds, this week, with the first on Thursday, the 14th of May at St Johns Southgate. For more information and tickets go to: flindersquartet.com.au
Sue Kaufmann speaks with radio presenter, writer and tour leader Phillip Sametz, who will be leading an eleven-day music tour, ‘The Ring Cycle in Vienna’ from the 5th to the 15th of June this year. For more information go to https://renaissancetours.com.au/tours/opera/the-ring-cycle-in-vienna-2026-jun/
Sue Kaufmann speaks with Laurence Matheson, who will be directing and performing in Orchestra 21’s concert, The Art of Farewell, on Saturday the 9th of May at St Stephens Anglican Church, Richmond. For more information and tickets go to: www.trybooking.com/DLERC Laurence Matheson headshot by Pia Johnson
Sue Kaufmann speaks with long-serving ANAM General Manager, Nick Bailey about ANAM’s 30-year anniversary. Nick’s story is one of the ‘30 stories for 30 years’ ANAM is releasing this year to celebrate this milestone. For more information go to: https://anam.com.au/anam-30/30-stories Nick Bailey headshot by Pia Johnson, ANAM
Julie Houghton chats with composer Melody Eötvös about her new work Regnare, which premieres as part of Musica Viva’s Beethoven’s Ghost concert, featuring the piano trio of Aura Go, Kristian Winther and Timo -Veiko Valve. It’s happening at Melbourne Recital Centre on Tuesday May 12th at 7.30 pm. You can book your tickets by visiting tickets.musicaviva.com.au
Peter Harper saxophonist from Black Jesus Experience speaks with Annie Martin. They'll be performing on the evening of Wednesday the 13th of May at The Counts, Ian Potter Centre for Performing Arts at Monash University. Tickets are available from Monash University Performing Arts Centre webpage. The show gets underway at 7:30pm but if you arrive from 6:30pm you can make a meal of it at The Count’s Italian-style kitchen and bar.
Marianne Rothchild from The Crossing Machine speaks with Annie Martin. The Crossing Machine present a unique performance of Juliet Letters on Friday the 1st of May at Fortyfive Downstairs, in Flinders Lane. More information can be found on their website and tickets are available from Fortyfivedownstairs.com.
Sue Kaufmann speaks with Rosemary Hodgson, who is presenting a recital called ‘Celebrating the Genius of John Dowland’ by the Swedish lutenist, Jakob Lindberg, on Saturday the 2nd of May in Daylesford, at Stanbridge Hall in Christ Church Anglican Church. For more information and tickets go to trybooking.com
Sue Kaufmann speaks with composer Gordon Kerry and librettist Margot Costanzo about the world premiere of their song cycle, ‘Dante and Beatrice’, which is the centrepiece of a ‘Dantean tableau’ called Dante’s Lovers and Visionaries. Dante’s Lovers and Visionaries is being performed on the 22nd of April at fortyfivedownstairs as part of its annual chamber music festival. For more information and tickets go to: https://fortyfivedownstairs.com/book-tickets/
Sue Kaufmann speaks with Doug Heywood, who will be conducting Camberwell Chorale for their upcoming concert, Mozart Requiem & Michael Easton’s Unsung Heroes on Sunday the 3rd of May at the Hawthorn Arts Centre. For more information and tickets go to: hawthornartscentre.com.au/
Sue Kaufmann speaks with Mina Yu about the Mina Yu Ensemble which will be presenting a show called A Day and Life Sessions on Wednesday, April the 29th at The Count’s in the Monash Arts Centre. For more information and tickets go to: https://www.monash.edu/performing-arts-centres/event/mina-yu
Susie May speaks with Josie Ryan, choir member of the Australian Brandenburg Orchestra and Choir, about their upcoming Baroque concert program, Choral Splendour, featuring Bach, Telemann, and Handel. Choral Splendour will be performed at the Melbourne Recital Centre on Thursday 16/4 at 7pm, Saturday 18/4 at 5pm, Sunday 19/4 at 5pm. Tickets and program details are available through the ABO website, brandenburg.com.au
Chris Howlett from Classical Music Australia speaks with Susie May about one of the world’s most iconic musicians, violinist, Pinchas Zukerman, his upcoming concert at Hamer Hall, the long history of Zukerman’s instrument and “Pay What You Can”, the new ticketing model Chris has developed. The concert will take place at Hamer Hall – Arts Centre Melbourne on 20 April at 7.30pm For Program details and tickets, go to the Arts Centre Melbourne website
Susie May speaks with Victoria Lazaris, Secretary for Choralfest 2026. The biennial conference and concert series, shortly to be held in Geelong, is a celebration of choral singing and education with masterclasses, lectures, workshops, and concerts. which will feature outstanding choirs from around Australia and exceptional academics and workshop presenters. Choralfest will take place at various locations in Geelong from Thursday 9 April to Sunday 12 April. Program details and tickets are available online via the website : https://deakin.au/choralfest-concert-tickets
Australian cellist Clare Juan speaks with Susie May about the remarkable story behind her cello and the program she’s chosen to play with pianist, Nicholas Kennedy, at their forthcoming concert at Tempo Rubato on Thursday, April 2 @ 8.00pm. Program details and tickets are available online. Go to Trybooking.com and search for The King’s Cello.
Sue Kaufmann speaks with pianist Yasmin Rowe about the Collide Ensemble’s upcoming performance in 3MBS’ Gala Concert: Music of the Seasons, on Saturday, the 28th of March at the Hawthorn Arts Centre. For more information and tickets go to: https://tickets.boroondara.vic.gov.au/Events/3MBS-Gala-Concert-Music-of-the-Seasons Photo credit: Agatha Kim
Sue Kaufmann speaks with pianist Coady Green, who will be performing in 3MBS's Gala Concert: Music of the Seasons as both a soloist and accompanist, on Saturday, the 28th of March at the Hawthorn Arts Centre. For more information and tickets go to: https://tickets.boroondara.vic.gov.au/Events/3MBS-Gala-Concert-Music-of-the-Seasons
Award-winning Australian composer Alice Chance speaks with Annie Martin about her arrangement of her setting of Salve Regina for the 3MBS Gala Concert: Music of the Seasons. The 3MBS Gala is on next Saturday the 28th of March at 2pm at the Hawthorn Arts Centre on Saturday . Tickets are available from Boroondara.vic.gov.au or through the 3MBS website.
David Medine, Conductor of the Maroondah Symphony Orchestra speaks with Annie Martin about their next performance. The concert, Masters of Lyricism will be at the Knox School Auditorium on Sunday afternoon the 29th of March 2026. Tickets are available through MaroondahSymphony.org.au website.
Zoe Knighton, Artistic Director and Cellist from the Flinders Quartet, speaks with Annie Martin about the Quartet's next series of concerts. From Silence and Snow will be performed at a variety of locations around Melbourne from Thursday the 26th of March until Tuesday the 31st of March. Tickets are available from the website: FindersQuartet.com
Luminescence collaborator Roland Peelman speaks with Annie Martin. The Luminescence Chamber Singers will perform the second instalment of their Gesualdo Tenebrae triennium on Saturday 21 March at the Sacred Heart Oratory, Abbotsford Convent. Tickets are available from Humanitix.com.
Australian cellist, composer and vocalist Ceridwen McCooey speaks with Annie Martin from her home in New York about her debut album Forget Me Not, which will be released on the 20th of March. You can find more details about the album, her music and performances at ceridwenmccooey.com.
Nick Dinopoulos,conductor ofHop, Skip and Jump speaks with Susie May about the next concert in the Daylesford Christ Church Concert series on Saturday 14 March, 2026 at 2:30 PM - 3:50 PM at Stanbridge Hall, Christ Church Anglican, 54 Central Springs Road, Daylesford VIC 3460 Tickets are available through : https://www.trybooking.com/eventlist/christchurchconcerts
Skye McIntosh, Artistic Director of the Australian Haydn Ensemble speaks with Susie May. Their concert, Mozart’s Spring takes placeonWednesday the 11th of March 2026 at 7:00pm at the Primrose Potter Salon, Melbourne Recital Centre. Tickets are available through the Melbourne Recital Centre, melbournerecital.com.au
Elaine Kelly, conductor and defining interpreter of the short operas, Mary Motörhead & Trade, speaks with Susie May. The double-bill will be performed by the Australian Contemporary Opera Company in the Beckett Theatre at the Malthouse in Melbourne from Friday 6 March to Friday 13th March, 2026 Tickets are available through: acoco.org.au/
Claire Edwardes OAM speaks with Annie Martin about Dual Attractor, her seventh solo album, to be released digitally by ABC Classic on Friday the 6th of March. The live album launch will be on Wednesday the 18th of March at the Melbourne Recital Centre, where physical CDs will also be available. Tickets can be booked via melbournerecital.com.au.
Arts philanthropist Michael Aquilina, and composer Joe Chindamo OAM – speak with Amanda Smith. The Melbourne Symphony Orchestra performs “Stravinsky and Chindamo” – on Thursday 19 March, and Saturday 21 March – both concerts at 7:30pm, at Hamer Hall. Benjamin Northey is conducting, and for Joe Chindamo’s work, Are There Any Questions?, Warren Trevelyan-Jones will lead the MSO Chorus.
Alta Collective Artistic Director Renee Heron speaks with Annie Martin. Baltic Landscapes - Songs of Nature, Folklore and the Baltic Spirit will be performed at the Immigration Museum on Friday the 13th of March. Tickets are available on the Immigration Museum website.
Sue Kaufmann speaks with local composer and pianist Josh McCusker about three new collections of original piano works released this year: Minipiano; Piano Works and Piano Works 2 (February 2026). The albums are available on Bandcamp and mainstream digital platforms. For more information about his work go to https://joshtaylor2.bandcamp.com/music.
Sue Kaufmann speaks with singer Mahalia Barnes, who’ll be appearing with her band The Soul Mates at Bird’s Basement on Saturday, the 7th of March. For more information and bookings go to: Bird's Basement Jazz Club - Intimate shows for true fans
Sue Kaufmann speaks with Melbourne-based composer and harpist Katia Mestrovic about her upcoming concert of harp solo and trio music, Australian harp fest: solo and trio, with fellow harpists Melina van Leeuwen (LAYVEN) and Gemma Tong at Tempo Rubato on Saturday, the 28th of February. For more information and bookings go to https://www.trybooking.com/events/landing/1523799.
Chris Howlett, Director of Classical Music Australia speaks with Annie Martin about the Grammy Award winning King’s Singers. They will be performing one concert only in Melbourne on Wednesday the 4th of March at St Paul's Cathedral, the corner of Flinders and Swanston Street. Tickets are available from Humanitix.
"A Breath of Fresh Air" is the official theme for the 2026 Yarragon Studio Festival, an annual event showcasing high-calibre music, food, and wine in Gippsland, Victoria. Australian-based Dutch saxophonist Niels Bijl from the Yarragon Studio Festival speaks with Annie Martin about what is in store. Tickets are available from website yarragonstudio.com.au. Photo: Liam Davidson
Annie Martin speaks with William Barton, renowned yidaki artist, who will be collaborating with the renowned British string quartet, the Brodsky Quartet, for a night of musical fusion, “Barton and Brodsky” - a unique evening combining Indigenous Australian soundscapes with classical and traditional repertoire. Elizabeth Murdoch Hall on Wednesday 25 February. Tickets are available online from the Melbourne Recital Centre.
Elyane Laussade speaks with Annie Martin. Her performance “The Illusion of Time” will be at the Brunswick Uniting Church on Friday evening the 20th of February as part of the Brunswick Beethoven Festival. Tickets can be purchased through her webpage elyane.laussade.com.au or the Brunswick Beethoven Festival website, brunswickbeethovenfestival.au
Annie Martin speaks with violinist Wilma Smith about the first concert of the 2026 Wilma and Friends series. This concert sees the return of Melbourne piano trio, Rock Paper Scissors (Wilma Smith, violin, Yelian He, Cello and Yasmin Rowe, piano) with a program of Hummel, Beach and Mendelssohn on the 19th and 26th of February. For tickets and more information got to Wilma and Friends.
Gwyn Harper from the Male Welsh Choir speaks with Annie Martin. The Choir will be celebrating St David’s Day on Sunday 1st March at the Ian Woolf Auditorium, Carey Grammar School in Kew. The concerts starts at 2:30pm and tickets are available from Melbourne Welsh Choir.Com.Au.
David Elton from Omega Ensemble speaks with Annie Martin about the Starburst national tour. This performance will ‘burst’ into the Melbourne Recital Centre on Wednesday 18 February 2026 at 7pm. Tickets are on sale now at www.omegaensemble.com.au.
Meg Cohen, violinist from Wattleseed Ensemble speaks with Annie Martin about the upcoming Sanctuary concert series. Performances will be on Thursday the 12th of February at St John’s East Malvern and Friday the 13th of February at the Athenaeum Library in Melbourne. Tickets and more information can be found at WattleseedEnsemble.com.
Nick Tolhurst speaks with pianist Dejan Lazić who joins the Australian Chamber Orchestra in their opening concert for 2026. Three performances coming up: Saturday the 7th and Monday the 9th of February at the Melbourne Recital Centre — both concerts at 7:30. A matinee performance will be given at Hamer Hall on Sunday the 8th of February at 2:30 pm. For more information and to book go to aco.com.au, melbournerecital.com.au, or artscentremelbourne.com.au
Howard Penny, Co-Director with Chris Howlett of the Bendigo Chamber Music Festival, speaks with Susie May about the exciting mix of International and Australian musicians involved in 2026, the musical highlights and the charm of Bendigo as a venue. The Bendigo Chamber Music Festival runs from Wednesday the 4th of February to Sunday the 8th of February and details can be found on their website, bendigochambermusicfestival.com.au/
