Limelight

Independent, in-depth and intelligent, Limelight offers Australia's finest coverage of music, arts and culture. Inside each issue, we invite you to take a deep dive into at least four main features exploring the music, opera, theatre and dance sectors, as well as articles addressing the big issues facing the arts and entertainment industry. Additional interviews, reviews and opinion pieces are included in the Soundings and Coda sections. Plus, discover upcoming events across the country in On Stage, and schedule your at-home listening with On Air & Online, which includes ABC Classic, independent radio and online broadcast information.

Limelight

Contributors

On Stage

In the Limelight

SYMPHONIC SAVIOUR • Ahead of his Sibelius cycle with the Adelaide Symphony Orchestra, Chief Conductor Mark Wigglesworth talks with Jansson J. Antmann about the composer’s radical reinvention of the symphony and enduring legacy.

Master of Melancholy • It’s 400 years since the death of John Dowland, the revered English composer, lutenist, singer (and spy). Clive Paget talks with British countertenor lestyn Davies as he traces Dowland’s career, which was stymied by his association with English papists.

Room to Move • Caitlin Vincent takes us inside Victorian Opera’s new adaptation of Helen Garner’s award-winning novel The Spare Room.

An Act of Devotion • In May, Harry Connick Jr. realised a long-held dream when he premiered a symphony honouring his late mother at Carnegie Hall, with Jessica Gethin and Orchestra Victoria. He tells Jo Litson why it was his most significant performance and introduces the accompanying recording, book and documentary.

TURNING POINT • Twenty-five years after founding her innovative contemporary dance company, Lucy Guerin is ready to embrace the next chapter in her career. The Australian choreographer chats to Jane Albert about her dance journey and her future plans.

Perfect Imperfections • Going solo in 2024, Joshua Batty talks to Jansson J. Antmann about how he is expanding the flute repertoire.

What’s new on disc • This month features piano postcards by Stephen Hough, orchestral works by Mahler and Sibelius, chamber music from home and abroad, and a makeover for the Eton Choirbook.

Reich at 90 • Ensemble Offspring celebrates the 90th birthday of revered Minimalist composer Steve Reich with a special concert writes Liam Heitmann-Ryce-LeMercier.

Surfing the Sound • American guitarist and composer Bryce Dessner is about to join the Sydney Symphony Orchestra for two programs of his work. He chats with Maddy Briggs about his compositions.

Seriously Funny • Helen Thomson chats to Elissa Blake as she prepares to star in the hit comedy The Unfriend for Sydney Theatre Company.

Stephen Sondheim: Art Isn’t Easy by Daniel Okrent • Grounding the Broadway legend in historical context, this biography balances skill and scandal.

Silenced • This powerful post #MeToo documentary reveals how defamation laws have been weaponised to silence survivors.

On Air & Online

ABC Classic concert program - September 2026

Independent radio & streaming - September 2026

A Trip to China • As part of a recent cultural delegation to Zhejiang province, Guy Noble was impressed by what he saw, particularly at the Conservatory of Music.

No One Gets Out of Here Alive • Operating as a collective, The Farm is a contemporary dance-theatre company based on the Gold Coast, with roots in Berlin. Co-Artistic Director Gavin Webber introduces its new production, which addresses mortality and premieres at Brisbane Festival.

The Sarod • Avra Banerjee recently took home the WAM (West Australian Music) Song of the Year Award in the Global Act category. He tells us why...