The Australian Festival of Chamber Music (AFCM) has today announced the postponement of its 2020 Festival – and its 30th Anniversary celebrations – until July next year.
Executive Director Gavin Findlay said the decision to postpone was not made lightly, but thanks to COVID-19 there was no other option available.
“It is with a heavy heart that we share the news that the 30th Australian Festival of Chamber Music will not occur in 2020 as a result of the COVID-19 outbreak. It is, however, only a pause in the extraordinary event’s 30 years of making music in the north,” Mr Findlay said.
“The safety of our patrons, artists, staff and music family remains our primary concern and we have worked closely with government departments and our venue partners in coming to this very difficult decision.
“Like so many of our sister arts events around the globe, we were hopeful that the situation would improve, and we would be able to welcome an amazing line-up of music makers to Townsville from from 31 July to 9 August. Unfortunately, it hasn’t, and therefore the 2020 event cannot proceed.
“However, the positive news is that rather than cancel what was to be a wonderful music program, this year’s program will transfer to 2021! Where the artist schedules permit, the line-up of artists planned for 2020 will also move to 2021.”
AFCM will therefore celebrate the 30th Anniversary Festival and Kathryn Stott’s final festival as Artistic Director on the new dates of 23 July to 01 August 2021.
Ms Stott said while sad that the program won’t be presented this year, she is pleased to see an opportunity for the artists to perform in 2021 instead. New Artistic Director Jack Liebeck will now begin work in 2022, but will join in 2021 as a guest artist in the concert.
All details regarding ticket transfers, donations and refunds can be found at AFCM’s website.
