Our 2013 Festival is infused with the spirit of discovery, performed by what is undoubtedly our finest assembly of Australian and international artists to date, including Paul Bentley and Justin Burwood, soprano Greta Bradman, Sydney’s renowned Acacia Quartet, violinists Catherine Martin and Alice Evans, cellist Howard Penny, baroque ensemble Ludovico’s Band, historical flautist Georgia Browne, Songmakers Australia, and pianist David Selig from Paris.

Journey from the exotic sounds of the Middle East to the tango-imbued Buenos Aires of Astor Piazzolla, from jazz’s Great American Songbook to the emotional torment of Dowland’s Renaissance London, from Telemann’s Paris of the 18th century to the 21st century Australia of Elena Kats-Chernin.

This year we introduce new events for the young – and the young at heart – with our first family-friendly concerts, featuring Saint-Saëns’ enchanting Carnival of the Animals.

For the grown-ups, we have introduced a relaxed yet sophisticated late-night event, the new After Hours series at James Halliday’s 2012 Winery of the Year, Port Phillip Estate. This year we welcome several new venues – including Hummingbird Eco Retreat, Willow Creek Vineyard and Peppers Moonah Links Resort – while returning to many of the venues that have become synonymous with the Festival over the past six years, including Main Ridge Estate, Montalto, Moorooduc Estate, St Johns Flinders and St James the Less Mt Eliza.

2013 Festival at a glance

Saturday 29 December 

7.00pm Cantatas by Candlelight
St James the Less, Mt Eliza

Sunday 30 December 

10.30am Recital 1: Blue Silence
St Johns, Flinders

2.30pm Recital 2: Baroque Trio Sonatas
St Johns, Flinders

Monday 31 December 

6.00pm New Year’s Serenade
Moonah Links, Fingal

Tuesday 1 January 

9.30am & 11.00am Carnival of the Animals
Southern Peninsula Arts Centre, Rosebud

12.00pm Hair of the Dog
Willow Creek Vineyard, Merricks North
SOLD OUT

Wednesday 2 January 

12.00pm Sorrow Stay
Hummingbird Eco Retreat, Red Hill

6.45pm Chanson d’Amour
Main Ridge Estate, Red Hill South
SOLD OUT

8.30pm After Hours: Alwan
Port Phillip Estate, Red Hill South
SOLD OUT

Thursday 3 January 

6.00pm Clair de lune
Moorooduc Estate, Moorooduc
SOLD OUT

8.30pm After Hours: Tim Stevens Trio
Port Phillip Estate, Red Hill South
SOLD OUT

Friday 4 January 

6.45pm Chanson d’Amour
Main Ridge Estate, Red Hill South
SOLD OUT

7.00pm Combattimento
St James the Less, Mt Eliza

Saturday 5 January 

10.30am Recital 3: Latitude 37: Paris Quartets 1, 2 & 3
St Johns, Flinders
SOLD OUT

2.30pm Recital 4: Ludovico’s Band
St Johns, Flinders

7.00pm The Seasons
Moorooduc Estate, Moorooduc

Sunday 6 January 

10.30am Recital 5: Latitude 37: Paris Quartets 4, 5 & 6 
St Johns, Flinders
SELLING FAST!

2.30pm Recital 6: Reimaginings 
St Johns, Flinders

7.00pm Twilight Jazz
Montalto, Red Hill South