“Music has charms to soothe a savage breast” wrote William Congreve in his 1697 play The Mourning Bride. Congreve is often misquoted – some think it soothes the savage beast but we’ll pay that too. Liebeck believes wholeheartedly in the power of music not only to entertain but to heal.

When I caught up with Liebeck he was singing the praises of a book entitled How Shostakovich Changed My Mind by the acclaimed British composer, broadcaster and musicologist Stephen Johnson. In it Johnson writes of the healing effect of music on sufferers of mental illness and tells how the music of Russian composer Dmitri Shostakovich lent him unexpected strength in his struggle with bipolar disorder.

Liebeck told me he had been reading the book on the flight from London and that it was perfect subject matter for the AFCM, an event that has put Townsville on the classical music map over the past three decades. This is his second year as artistic director.

“And after talking to audiences last year, it made me realise that they don’t just want to experience music in a passive way,” Liebeck says. “They want to understand it on a deeper level. With that in mind we will welcome brilliant British musicologist, composer, and presenter Stephen Johnson to Townsville this year.

“Stephen will be talking about his book, the primary focus of which is Dmitri Shostakovich’s music and how it relates to his own struggles with trauma and mental illness, as well as his life as a composer, author and broadcaster. “

“In addition, Stephen’s Angel’s Arc is being performed in an Australian premiere, with fellow British composer Sally Beamish playing viola.”

Johnson will feature at four events at the AFCM which is on from July 28 to August 6 in Townsville.

This year 39 world-class musicians and artists will fly into the North Queensland capital for the event including 13 internationals, 11 of them from Britain.

The British contingent is the who’s who of the chamber music world, led of course by the talented Jack Liebeck himself. As well as Stephen Johnson they include Timothy Ridout, a BBC New Generation Artist and one of the most sought-after violists of his generation; Matthew Hunt, one of Europe’s leading clarinettists; Katy Woolley who was appointed principal horn of the Philharmonia Orchestra at age 22; viola player Sally Beamish, who will attend as Composer-in-Residence; in-demand Welsh cellist Thomas Carroll, pianist Charles Owen who is Professor of Piano at the Guildhall School and Russian-born UK pianist Katya Apekisheva.

Thirteen artists are performing at the AFCM for the very first time, in what will be a joyous 10-day celebration hosted in the glorious tropical winter sun of North Queensland. Of course, if you’re a sports fan I should mention there will be a home game featuring the North Queensland Cowboys playing the Brisbane Broncos during the AFCM. It’s tempting, right?

The Australian line-up is led by our own internationally renowned composer and didgeridoo musician William Barton returning with a new commission. The much-loved Goldner String Quartet will be Quartet-in-Residence; dynamic percussionist Claire Edwardes and harpsichordist Donald Nicholson are also in the mix.

And in a nod to Australia’s symphony orchestras, the program includes Melbourne Symphony Orchestra principal flute Prudence Davis, Sydney Symphony Orchestra Principal Trumpet David Elton, Queensland Symphony Orchestra principal bassoon Nicole Tait and Adelaide Symphony Orchestra’s artist in association for 2023, rising international violin star Emily Sun.

Performing at AFCM for the first time is Spanish oboist and two-time ECHO Award winner, Ramón Ortega Quero, recognised around the world as one of the most inspiring musicians of his generation.

The James Cook University Opening Night Concert on Friday July 28 features Nginda Ngarrini Bi Ngya by Deborah Cheetham Fraillon, Yorta Yorta soprano, composer, educator and arts and cultural pioneer. AFCM commissioned Cheetham to create this work two years ago and it will be a celebration and acknowledgement of the traditional owners of the land on which the festival takes place, the Wulgurukaba people of Gurrumbilbarra.

The Opening Night Concert also includes the first of Composer-in-Residence Sally Beamish’s pieces, Carnival Samba for Piano Trio.

The final world premiere is on Friday 4 August at the Sunset Series concert titled Night and Day and William Barton’s special AFCM commission, Dawn Time Dreaming.

Jack Liebeck has a knack for unique programming and a good sense of humour and this year he’s bringing back his highly successful 2022 debut series, Guilty Pleasures, where he invites musicians to perform their favourite piece of music – from the eclectic to the unusual.

Who can forget last year when Scottish-born classical accordionist James Crabb performed Jon Bon Jovi’s mega anthem, Livin’ on a Prayer to a crowd normally more attuned to the classical canon. It will be fun to see if anyone chooses rock again this year. Maybe some AC/DC? Here’s hoping.

afcm.com.au