The merry month of May is about to start and it is jam-packed with music.

Two big festivals dominate the headlines: The Totally Huge New Music Festival May 15-24 (which will feature separately on the blog soon) and the Perth International Jazz Festival May 29-31 previously featured here.

The WA Symphony Orchestra presents two concerts: this weekend (May 1st) Vivaldi’s Four Seasons with violinist Shaun Lee Chen violin and Paul Dyer conducting; on May 8th Sibelius’ Fifth Symphony and Hakan Hardenberger premiering a trumpet concerto by Mark-Anthony Turnage.

A highlight of the month will be the Lost & Found production of Milhaud’s opera Medee, opening at the Fremantle Arts Centre on May 11th. Director thomas de Mallet Burgess was featured recently in the Celebrity Soft Spot series. The opera is sure to sell out so act fast!

On May 12th Andrew Nicholson will join Joseph Nolan at St Georges Cathedral for a concert of virtuoso flute and organ music.

My newest favourite composer Karl Jenkins appears again – his Mass for Peace performed by the UWA Choral Society on May 3rd. Also that day Mark Coughlan performing Beethoven’s Piano Concerto with the UWA Symphony Orchestra.

It is a busy month for the University with the Percussion Fiesta on May 26th. On May 28th Alex Cohen (former Chancellor) presents “A Human Odyssey” Vademecum – Go With Me featuring Sara Macliver (soprano), Paul wright (violin) and friends. UWA’s new ensemble in residence Ensemble Vagabond led by Ashley William Smith will perform chamber music by Hindemith on May 31st.


On Mother’s Day Cappuccino Concerts is presenting a concert of music inspired by Women of Note, performed by Irina Vasilieva (piano, Laura McGrogan (cello) and Ashley Smith (clarinet) featuring yours truly as compere! Come celebrate the special women in your life with high tea and inspiring music by Australian women composers.

Let the May madness begin!