ITINERARY

DAY 1 | FRIDAY 25 JULY 2025

1ST OF 4 NIGHTS AT ARDO HOTEL, TOWNSVILLE

MELBOURNE TO TOWNSVILLE & THE AUSTRALIAN FESTIVAL OF CHAMBER MUSIC (D):

Guests to travel independently from Melbourne to Townsville and then to the Ardo Hotel. Your Hayllar Music Tours tour manager will be at the hotel to welcome you and to assist you with checking in to your spacious and luxurious Marina Rooms.

After checking in, we enjoy an early-evening 2-course welcome dinner together at the hotel’s stylish Marmor Restaurant. We then travel by private coach to the Townsville Civic Theatre for the Opening Night Concert as part of this year’s Australian Festival of Chamber Music.

AFCM 2025 OPENING NIGHT CONCERT - REAWAKEN!
Townsville Civic Theatre, 7:30pm

Leonard Bernstein I Hate Music, fr. Song Cycle I Hate Music
Ana-Maria Vera, Joseph Havlat, Olga Zado

Franz Schubert An die musik for four voices and piano, D. 547
Carolyn Sampson OBE, Ana-Maria Vera

Grace Williams Suite for Nine Instruments
Michael Collins, Catherina Lee, Joshua Batty, Phoebe Russell, Olga Zado, Emily Beauchamp, Caroline Henbest, Mark Smith

Jep(Ic) (arr. Joseph Havlat) 64 Geese
Olga Zado, Ana-Maria Vera, Joseph Havlat

Pedro Iturralde Memorias
Joseph Havlat, Henry Docker, Rachel Down, Ryan Piccione, Paige Gullifer

Justin Williams Movement for String Quartet
Michael Dahlenburg, Dale Barltrop, Christopher Cartlidge, Francesca Hiew

Juan Pablo Jofre String Quartet and Classical Accordion No. 1
James Crabb, Milena Pajaro-van de Stadt, Timo-Veikko Valve, Adam Barnett-Hart, Jack Liebeck

Louis Spohr Grand Nonetto in F major for flute, oboe, clarinet, bassoon, horn, violin, viola, cello, and bass, Op. 31
Joshua Batty, Stefan Dohr, Michael Collins, Tasman Compton, Kyril Zlotnikov, Sophie Nickel, Kirsty McCahon, Alexandra Allan, Adam Barnett-Hart

Following the conclusion of the concert, we return to our hotel to continue the celebrations with a welcome drinks reception.

DAY 2 | SATURDAY 26 JULY 2025

2ND OF 4 NIGHTS AT ARDO HOTEL, TOWNSVILLE

AUSTRALIAN FESTIVAL OF CHAMBER MUSIC (B, L):

Following our delicious breakfast at the neighbouring The Ville Resort-Casino, which is a short 1-minute walk along the hotel’s seafront boardwalk, we depart for the first of three concerts at the AFCM today, and the first of our Concert Conversations.

AFCM CONCERT CONVERSATIONS 1 - CONCERTO CONVERSATIONS
Townsville Civic Theatre, 10:00am

Interview Guests
James Crabb, Carolyn Sampson OBE

Edward Elgar (arr. Carl Hinde) Cello Concerto Op. 85, for cello and String Quintet
Timo-Veikko Valve, Phoebe Russell, Caroline Henbest, Jack Liebeck, Catherina Lee

Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart Oboe Quartet in F major, K. 370
Adam Barnett-Hart, Sophie Nickel, Alexandra Allan, Michael Dahlenburg

Richard Strauss (arr. James Crabb) Four Last Songs
Jack Liebeck, James Crabb, Kyril Zlotnikov, Carolyn Sampson OBE, Christopher Cartlidge

After our morning Concert Conversation, we make the short journey to one of Townsville’s top dining destinations for a delicious group lunch. We return briefly to our hotel to freshen up, before departing for the first of two Festival performances this evening, the Sunset Series 1 concert at the Townsville Civic Theatre.

AFCM RAY GOLDING SUNSET SERIES 1 - HORN OF PLENTY
Townsville Civic Theatre, 5:00pm

York Bowen Quintet for Horn and Strings, Op. 85
Stefan Dohr, Michael Dahlenburg, Francesca Hiew, Christopher Cartlidge, Dale Barltrop

Isidora Žebeljan Dance of the Wooden Sticks
Stefan Dohr, Catherina Lee, Sophie Nickel, Phoebe Russell, Emily Beauchamp

Ernö [Ernst Von] Dohnányi Sextet in C major for clarinet, horn, violin, viola, cello, and piano, Op. 37
Stefan Dohr, Michael Collins, Milena Pajaro-van de Stadt, Ana-Maria Vera, Timo-Veikko Valve, Adam Barnett-Hart

This evening we attend the Governor’s Gala Concert at the Townsville Civic Theatre, before returning to our hotel.

AFCM 2025 GOVERNOR'S GALA - HEAVENLY SERENADE
Townsville Civic Theatre, 7:30pm

Fanny Mendelssohn String Quartet in E-flat major H.277
Francesca Hiew, Michael Dahlenburg, Christopher Cartlidge, Dale Barltrop

Johannes Brahms Intermezzos for Piano, Op. 117
Olga Zado

Mel Bonis Ave Maria
Olga Zado, Carolyn Sampson OBE

George Crumb Three Early Songs for voice and piano: Night
Olga Zado, Carolyn Sampson OBE

Felix Mendelssohn Auf Flügeln des Gesanges, Op. 34, No. 2
Olga Zado, Carolyn Sampson OBE

Reynaldo Hahn 12 Rondels: Les étoiles
Carolyn Sampson OBE, Olga Zado

Peteris Vasks Vientulais engelis (Lonely Angel)
Phoebe Russell, Emily Beauchamp, Catherina Lee, Caroline Henbest, Timo-Veikko Valve, Dale Barltrop, Kyril Zlotnikov, Milena Pajaro-van de Stadt, Christopher Cartlidge, Francesca Hiew, Jack Liebeck, Kirsty McCahon

Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart Concerto for clarinet and orchestra in A major, K. 622
Kirsty McCahon, Phoebe Russell, Caroline Henbest, Michael Dahlenburg, Francesca Hiew, Sophie Nickel, Michael Collins, Adam Barnett-Hart, Emily Beauchamp, Dale Barltrop

DAY 3 | SUNDAY 27 JULY 2025

3RD OF 4 NIGHTS AT ARDO HOTEL, TOWNSVILLE

PRIVATE CRUISE & THE AUSTRALIAN FESTIVAL OF CHAMBER MUSIC (B, L):

Following our relaxed breakfast, we take a 10-minute stroll to the SeaLink Terminal to board our privately chartered boat. Once on board, we depart for a 2-hour cruise of Cleveland Bay, the sheltered bay surrounding Townsville, where we will view spectacular sights such as Magnetic Island, Cape Cleveland Lighthouse and Castle Hill, which serves as the dramatic backdrop to the Townsville skyline. While on board, we will enjoy a light lunch of antipasto platters and canapés, served with cold beers, wines and soft drinks.

After our cruise, we return to our hotel for a rest ahead of this evening’s two festival concerts. We then return to the Townsville Civic Theatre for the Sunset Series 2 concert.

AFCM RAY GOLDING SUNSET SERIES 2: SUNSET SCREENING
Townsville Civic Theatre, 5:00pm

A screening of the silent film Scandal in Bohemia, accompanied by live performances by Festival Artists.

Erich Wolfgang Korngold String Quartet No. 2, in E-flat major, Op. 26
Francesca Hiew, Michael Dahlenburg, Dale Barltrop, Christopher Cartlidge

Joseph Havlat (Sir Arthur Conan Doyle) A Scandal in Bohemia
James Crabb, Stefan Dohr, Mark Smith, Tasman Compton, Lloyd van't Hoff, Alexandra Allan, Joshua Batty, Joseph Havlat

In between the Sunset Series Concerts and the evening concerts, light refreshments are served at the Townsville Civic Theatre which can be purchased independently. We then enjoy the Sunday Night Concert at the Townsville Civic Theatre, before returning to our hotel by private coach transfer.

AFCM SUNDAY NIGHT CONCERT: BOHEMIAN RHAPSODIES
Townsville Civic Theatre, 7:30pm

Leoš Janáček Mládí, Suite for flute, oboe, clarinet, bass clarinet, bassoon, and horn
Alexandra Allan, Stefan Dohr, Tasman Compton, Michael Collins, Joshua Batty

Antonín Dvořák String Quartet Op. 97, American, Mvt. I
Paige Gullifer, Ryan Piccione, Henry Docker, Rachel Down

Bohuslav Martinů La revue de cuisine, for clarinet, bassoon, trumpet, violin, cello and piano
Timo-Veikko Valve, Lloyd van't Hoff, Olga Zado, Tasman Compton, Mark Smith, Emily Sun

Antonín Dvořák Piano Quintet No. 2 in A major, B. 155, Op. 81
Ana-Maria Vera, Milena Pajaro-van de Stadt, Catherina Lee, Emily Sun

DAY 4 | MONDAY 28 JULY 2025

4TH OF 4 NIGHTS AT ARDO HOTEL, TOWNSVILLE

AUSTRALIAN FESTIVAL OF CHAMBER MUSIC (B, D):

This morning, we attend the second of our Concert Conversations, which feature a delightful mix of informal discussion and incredible music-making with a selection of the Festival musicians.

AFCM CONCERT CONVERSATIONS 2
The Denise Glasgow Performing Arts Centre, 10:00am

Interview Guests
Michael Collins, Sophie Nickel, Andrew Ford, Ana-Maria Vera

Traditional (arr. James Crabb) Scottish Traditional Folk Music
Adam Barnett-Hart, Sophie Nickel, James Crabb, Jack Liebeck, Phoebe Russell, Timo-Veikko Valve

Maria Dranishnikova Poem
Alexandra Allan, Ana-Maria Vera

Andrew Ford Little Star
James Crabb, Carolyn Sampson OBE

Franz Schubert (arr. Xandi van Dijk) Du bist die Ruh, for String Quartet
Sophie Nickel, Kyril Zlotnikov, Adam Barnett-Hart, Emily Sun

Frédéric Chopin (arr. Sarasate) Nocturne in E-flat major, Op. 9, No. 2
Jack Liebeck, Michael Collins

Charles Gounod (arr. Franz Liszt) Waltz fr. Faust
Ana-Maria Vera

We then return to our beautiful hotel for some free time to rest, or to enjoy the rooftop pool with views over Cleveland Bay to Magnetic Island. Alternatively, you might like to explore some of the city’s attractions, such as the Museum of Tropical Queensland, a museum of natural history, archaeology and history which is a 15-minute stroll from our hotel, or the Perc Tucker Regional Gallery, Townsville’s premier regional art gallery, a 20-minute walk from our hotel, which offers a range of local, national and international exhibitions.

Following our free afternoon, we gather for an early celebratory dinner, to bid a fond farewell to our time in Tropical Townsville. We then return to the Townsville Civic Theatre for one final performance as part of the Australian Festival of Chamber music.

AFCM EVENING CONCERT 1: FINAL WORDS
Townsville Civic Theatre, 7:30pm

Ernest Chausson Chanson perpétuelle for soprano and piano quintet, Op. 37
Carolyn Sampson OBE, Dale Barltrop, Christopher Cartlidge, Michael Dahlenburg, Francesca Hiew, Ana-Maria Vera

Nicole Murphy Invocations
Milena Pajaro-van de Stadt, Kyril Zlotnikov, Adam Barnett-Hart, Ana-Maria Vera, Michael Collins

Andrew Ford Machnamh
Dale Barltrop, Christopher Cartlidge, William Mabo, Michael Dahlenburg, Francesca Hiew

Gustav Mahler (arr. Castelletti) Symphony No. 10 in F-sharp major
Lloyd van't Hoff, Ian Brunskill, Peter Neville, Loni Fitzpatrick, Sophie Nickel, Joseph Havlat, Emily Beauchamp, Stefan Dohr, Tasman Compton, Alexandra Allan, James Crabb, Catherina Lee, Timo-Veikko Valve, Joshua Batty, Mark Smith, Kirsty McCahon

Following the concert, we enjoy a farewell drinks reception to bring our time together in Townsville to a close.

DAY 5 | TUESDAY 29 JULY 2025

TOWNSVILLE TO MELBOURNE & TOUR ENDS (B):

Following our final breakfast at our hotel, the tour ends. Guests to travel independently to Townsville airport and then from Townsville to Melbourne.

INCLUSIONS

25–29 JULY 2025 (5 DAYS)

AUD$4,900 PER PERSON TWIN SHARE

Single supplement: AUD$625
Deposit payment 1: Deposit AUD$1,500 per person (due at time of booking)
Deposit payment 2: Deposit AUD$1,500 per person (due on 25 March 2025)
Final payment due: 22 May 2025

INCLUSIONS:

• Performances: Gold Plus Subscription seating for eight performances at the Australian Festival of Chamber Music.

• Music Leader: Travel, accommodation, meals and concert tickets for a Music Leader to accompany the group throughout the tour.

• Tour Manager: An experienced Tour Manager to accompany the group throughout the tour.

• Hotels: Four nights’ accommodation at the 5-star Ardo Hotel, Townsville staying in a Marina Room. There is the option to upgrade to an Ocean Room for AUD$330 or an Ardo Suite for AUD$570 for the full duration of the tour.

• Private Cruise: A private chartered 2-hour cruise of Cleveland Bay.

• Travel: Land travel by private air-conditioned coach in Townsville for all transfers as listed in the itinerary.

• Meals/Drinks: Breakfast each morning. Three lunches/dinners with wine, water and tea/coffee, a light lunch with refreshments on board the chartered cruise, a welcome drinks reception following the first evening concert and a farewell drinks reception following the final evening concert.

• Tips: Tips for drivers, local guides and for meals included in your itinerary.

• Information Pack: Comprehensive pre-tour information pack.

EXCLUSIONS:

• Flights: Flights from Melbourne-Townsville and Townsville-Melbourne are not included in the tour package. Please indicate when booking if you would like assistance with any flight bookings.

• Airport Transfers: Transfers to/from airports and hotels at the beginning and end of the tour.

• Travel Insurance: Please note that travel insurance is recommended for tours within Australia. Hayllar Music Tours can organise your travel insurance for you. Please contact them at phone 02 9669 9181 / +61 2 9669 9181 or email contact@hayllarmusictours.com

• Meals: Lunches and dinners not nominated in your itinerary.

• Personal Expenses: Personal expenses such as laundry, phone calls and mini-bar.

• Activities in Free Time: Costs associated with any activities suggested for you in your free time.

SMALL GROUP SIZE

The tour will operate with a minimum of 16 people.

FITNESS LEVEL REQUIRED - LEVEL 1

All members of the group must feel comfortable walking for 1–2 hours and embarking/disembarking coaches.

BOOKING TERMS & CONDITIONS

Please note that booking terms and conditions apply. Click here for the booking terms and conditions.

3MBS 50TH ANNIVERSARY TOUR TO THE AUSTRALIAN FESTIVAL OF CHAMBER MUSIC