Here is our pick of the best classical music festivals taking place across Australia and South Africa during 2024. Don't forget to also check out our useful guides to the UK's best classical music festivals; best festivals in Europe 2024; the best music festivals across the Middle East, Japan, China and Taiwan; and also to the best classical festivals in Canada and the USA this year.
Best classical music festivals 2024: Australia
Canberra International Music Festival
Canberra, Australia, 1-5 May
cimf.org.au
It might have started out as an intimate chamber music festival colonising Canberra’s homes and embassies, but my how it’s grown. This year’s 30th anniversary jamboree is Roland Peelman’s last as artistic director, and he bows out in style. From France comes Trio Karénine, who forge a Franco-Hispanic entente cordiale and collaborate with Dudok Quartet Amsterdam. Across two concerts, Bach Akademie Australia delves into Bach's Brandenburg Concertos; Red Dirt Hymns are sung; and Holly Harrison’s new percussion trio headlines the grand finale.
Coriole Music Festival
McLaren Vale, Australia, 18-19 May
coriolemusicfestival.com
If music be the food of love, Coriole has the wine flights to match. Set among the extensive rolling vineyards of McLaren Vale, the festival has been pairing delectable comestibles and chamber music for a quarter of a century, and 2024’s menu explores the notion of ‘home’. Homebirds include Peter Sculthorpe and Vaughan Williams, Golijov and Silvestrov; the last word falls to Olli Mustonen’s pithy Nonetto II.
Australian Festival of Chamber Music
Townsville, Australia, 26 July-4 August
afcm.com.au
Where else can you find an island concert with whale watching, and – tissues at the ready – a heartrending Schubert double bill pairing the String Quintet with Die schöne Müllerin? It can only be violinist Jack Liebeck’s distinctive Queensland festival.
With no fewer than seven living ‘composers-in-focus’, a Sunset Series that cuts Shostakovich down to size and makes free with Purcell’s Fairy Queen, and a fond farewell to quartet-in-residence the Goldners, action-packed doesn’t begin to do it justice. Add in a couple of didgeridoos, the multi-tasking of Brett Dean, plus clarinettist Julian Bliss, and Townsville twinkles.
Best classical music festivals 2024: South Africa
Greyton Genadendal Classics for All Festival
Western Cape, South Africa, 10-12 May
classicsforall.co.za
The neighbouring villages of Greyton and Genadendal are in celebratory mood as their resolutely inclusive festival notches up its 20th birthday. Old musical friends return, and new artistic friendships are forged. Cape Town Baroque Orchestra takes a dive into the late Baroque alongside Vivaldi and Corelli; pianists François du Toit and Isaac van der Merwe team up for four-handed Schubert; and the Da Cape’O string quartet criss-crosses eastern Europe en route to ‘Hungarian’ Brahms.