Pianist and composer Paul Grabowsky performs at the Port Fairy Spring Music Festival.
THIS year’s Port Fairy Spring Music Festival enjoyed record ticket sales with many concerts sold out.
Festival director Anna Goldsworthy said the 23rd festival was “a tremendous success” with brilliant performances by artists.
“Everyone drew big numbers.”
Ms Goldsworthy, who has been the festival’s director for the past three years, said it was being embraced by the local and wider community. “People are coming from all over.”
The festival presents classical and contemporary ensemble music and Ms Goldsworthy said highlights this year included the performances of the Australian String Quartet and digeridoo player William Barton.
“This year we had more contemporary pieces.
“There was more 20th and 21st century works and more works by Australian composers.
“Audiences embraced that and trusted us enough to come along for the ride.”
New works had also been warmly received.
“There’s an element of the unknown with new works but the musicians were wonderful,” Ms Goldsworthy said.
The Festival Club event on Saturday night was again a runaway success, being popular not only with the public but also with festival performers who want to take part.
The event, hosted by comedian and writer Tim Ferguson, gave performers such as the Adelaide Chamber Singers and the Australian String Quarter, an opportunity to present cabaret works in a light-hearted mood.
Regional artists to perform included 11-year-old harpist Emily-Rose Matskows and the Mount Gambier Generations in Jazz band that “brought the house down” in the Drill Hall, Ms Goldsworthy said.
Street theatre, master classes and performances for schools added to this year’s festival bounty.
ehimmelreich@standard.fairfax.com.au