ITINERARY

DAY 1 | FRIDAY 24 JULY 2026

1ST OF 4 NIGHTS AT CRYSTALBROOK RILEY, CAIRNS

ARRIVE CAIRNS & THE AUSTRALIAN FESTIVAL OF CHAMBER MUSIC (D):

Guests arrive at the luxury 5-star hotel, Crystalbrook Riley, perfectly positioned on Cairns’ iconic waterfront Esplanade, a short walk from the centre of Cairns and from Cairns Performing Arts Centre, where the festival performances will take place. Hotel check-in is at 2:00pm and we recommend arriving at this time.

At 3:30pm we attend welcome drinks followed by our first pre-performance talk by our Tour Leader, Dr Jack Stephens. We then enjoy a delicious pre-performance dinner where we have the special opportunity to dine with some of the musicians performing in the festival. After this we attend the Opening Night Concert of the Australian Festival of Chamber Music at Cairns Performing Arts Centre.

Opening Night Concert
Cairns Performing Arts Centre, 7:30pm

Mozart Eine kleine Nachtmusik, K. 525
Sam Wu AFCM Commission - World Premiere
Piazzolla Libertango, arr Jeff Scott
Czerny Variations on Mozart Arias for Six Hands
Dvořák Serenade in D minor for Winds, Cello, and Double Bass, B. 77, Op. 44

Performed by Ben Jacks (French Horn), Lloyd van't Hoff (Clarinet), Emmanuel Cassimatis (Oboe), Joshua Batty (Flute), Kees Boersma (Double bass), Charlotte Miles (Cello), Jude Austen Kaupe (French Horn), Gahyun Lee (Oboe), Kara Thorpe (Flute), Justin Wang (Clarinet), Dylan Roberts (Bassoon), Isang Enders (Cello), Jack Liebeck (Violin), Alexander Sitkovetsky (Violin), Emmalena Huning (Violin), Dimity Hall (Violin), Dene Olding AM (Violin), Stefanie Farrands (Viola), Lise Berthaud (Viola), Irina Morozova (Viola), Julian Smiles (Cello), Christian-Pierre La Marca (Cello), Piers Lane AO (Piano), Jackie Newcomb (Bassoon), Alexander Krichel (Piano), Wu Qian (Piano), Sam Wu (Composer)

DAY 2 | SATURDAY 25 JULY 2026

2ND OF 4 NIGHTS AT CRYSTALBROOK RILEY, CAIRNS

AUSTRALIAN FESTIVAL OF CHAMBER MUSIC (B):

This morning, we attend our first informative Concert Conversation hosted by Festival Artistic Director, Jack Liebeck at Cairns Performing Arts Centre.

Concert Conversations 1
Cairns Performing Arts Centre Studio, 10:00am

Interview Guests: Alexander Sitkovetsky, Isang Enders, Wu Qian

Kurtág Sonatina: Transcribed from J.S. Bach, Cantata BWV 106
Debussy Clair de lune, arr. cello and guitar
Monti Csárdás
Prokofiev Sonata in D major for flute and string quartet, Op. 94, arr. Lee Bradshaw

Performed by Alexander Sitkovetsky (Violin), Isang Enders (Cello), Karin Schaupp (Guitar), Wu Qian (Piano), Piers Lane AO (Piano), Joshua Batty (Flute), Jack Liebeck (Violin), Emmalena Huning (Violin), Stefanie Farrands (Viola)

Following the Concert Conversation, the early afternoon is free. In your free time you might like to explore some attractions such as the NorthSite Contemporary Art Gallery located in Bulmba-ja Arts Centre or Cairns Museum, both located a short walk from our hotel. Or, you may like to take a 10-minute taxi journey to Cairns Botanic Gardens, a tropical paradise renowned as one of the best exhibitions of tropical plants in Australia.

In the afternoon, Jack Stephens will give a pre-performance talk about the music we will hear in this evening’s concerts. We then attend two concerts at the festival, the first Sunset Series Concert and the Governor’s Gala.

Sunset Series 1 - Twilight’s Embrace
Cairns Performing Arts Centre, 5:00pm

Margaret Sutherland Nocturne for violin and piano
Lennox Berkeley Song of the Half-Light
Arvo Pärt Spiegel im Spiegel (Mirror in Mirror) for cello and piano
Ernest Bloch Three Nocturnes for piano, violin and cello
Frédéric Chopin Nocturne in C minor, Op. 48, No. 1
Frédéric Chopin Nocturne in B major, Op. 62, No. 1
Frédéric Chopin Nocturne in E-flat major, Op. 62, No. 2

Performed by Karin Schaupp (Guitar), Alexander Sitkovetsky (Violin), Alexander Krichel (Piano), Wu Qian (Cello), Emmalena Huning (Violin), Julian Smiles (Cello), Isang Enders (Cello), Wu Qian (Piano), Robin Tritschler (Tenor), Piers Lane AO (Piano)

Governor’s Gala - Mozart: The Marriage of Figaro
Cairns Performing Arts Centre, 7:30pm

Mozart The Marriage of Figaro, arr. for winds by Johann Neopmuk Wendt and Andreas N. Tarkmann

Performed by Bethany Simons (Narrator), Emmanuel Cassimatis (Oboe), Gahyun Lee (Oboe), Lloyd van't Hoff (Clarinet), Justin Wang (Clarinet), Jackie Newcomb (Bassoon), Dylan Roberts (Bassoon), Ben Jacks (French Horn), Kees Boersma (Double bass)

DAY 3 | SUNDAY 26 JULY 2026

3RD OF 4 NIGHTS AT CRYSTALBROOK RILEY, CAIRNS

AUSTRALIAN FESTIVAL OF CHAMBER MUSIC (B, D):

This morning, Jack Stephens will give a pre-performance talk about the music we will hear today. Following this, we have a private In-Conversation with a musician performing in the festival, hosted by Jack Stephens.

Time is then allowed to rest and have lunch before we depart for the festival’s Church Concert at St Monica’s Cathedral, located just across the road from our hotel.

AFCM Sunday Cathedral Concert - All At Sixes and Sevens
St Monica’s Cathedral, 1:30pm

Mozart Divertimento No. 11 in D major for oboe, two horns and strings, K. 251
Brahms String Sextet No. 1 in B-flat major, Op. 18

Performed by Dimity Hall (Violin), Dene Olding AM (Violin), Irina Morozova (Viola), Kees Boersma (Double bass), Emmanuel Cassimatis (Oboe), Stefan Dohr (French Horn), Ben Jacks (French Horn), Jack Liebeck (Violin), Emmalena Huning (Violin), Stefanie Farrands (Viola), Lise Berthaud (Viola), Julian Smiles (Cello), Christian-Pierre La Marca (Cello), Charlotte Miles (Cello)

Following the concert, the late afternoon is free.

We come together in the early evening for a delicious dinner before attending the festival’s first Evening Concert.

Evening Concert 1 - Horrible Histories: Composer’s Edition
Cairns Performing Arts Centre, 7:30pm

Purcell Suite in G minor, Z.661, arr. for guitar
Lully Chanson des Harlequins
Isaac Nathan Queen of Evening
Isaac Nathan Thou art another's
Chausson Concert in D major for violin, piano and string quartet, Op. 21

Performed by Karin Schaupp (Guitar), Robin Tritschler (Tenor), Wu Qian (Piano), Alexander Krichel (Piano), Jack Liebeck (Violin), Dimity Hall (Violin), Dene Olding AM (Violin), Irina Morozova (Viola), Julian Smiles (Cello), Simon Martyn-Ellis (Lute)

DAY 4 | MONDAY 27 JULY 2026

4TH OF 4 NIGHTS AT CRYSTALBROOK RILEY, CAIRNS

AUSTRALIAN FESTIVAL OF CHAMBER MUSIC (B, L):

This morning, we attend our second informative Concert Conversation hosted by Jack Liebeck.

Concert Conversations 2
Cairns Performing Arts Centre Studio, 10:00am

Interview Guests: Karin Schaupp, Simon Martyn-Ellis, Ben Jacks, Stefan Dohr

Vivaldi Concerto in D major for guitar, two violins and continuo, RV 93
Django Rheinhardt Minor swing
Jorge Morel Danza Brasilera
Robert Kahn Serenade in F minor, Op. 73

Performed by Emmanuel Cassimatis (Oboe), Stefan Dohr (French Horn), Alexander Krichel (Piano), Jack Liebeck (Violin), Simon Martyn-Ellis (Lute), Karin Schaupp (Guitar), Simon Martyn-Ellis (Gallichon), Ben Jacks (French Horn)

Following the concert, we enjoy a gourmet farewell lunch.

In the late afternoon, Jack Stephens will give a pre-performance talk about the concerts we hear this evening. We then attend our second Sunset Series and Evening Concert.

Sunset Series 2 - Baroque Sunset
Cairns Performing Arts Centre, 5:00pm

Johann Friedrich Fasch Concerto, FaWV L:d1, for gallichon
Purcell If music be the food of love, Z. 379A
Purcell Now that the Sun hath veiled his Light
Purcell 'Tis Nature's Voice, from Ode to St. Cecilia
Purcell Music for a while
Vivaldi Trio Sonata in G minor, RV 85
J. S Bach Cantata Ich armer Mensch, ich Sündenknecht, BWV 55

Performed by Stefanie Farrands (Viola), Jack Liebeck (Violin), Emmalena Huning (Violin), Julian Smiles (Cello), Simon Martyn-Ellis (Lute), Robin Tritschler (Tenor), Dimity Hall (Violin), Irina Morozova (Viola), Charlotte Miles (Cello), Joshua Batty (Flute), Emmanuel Cassimatis (Oboe), Dene Olding AM (Violin), Simon Martyn-Ellis (Gallichon and Theorbo)

Evening Concert 2 - Cairns’ Colossal 150th
Cairns Performing Arts Centre, 7:30pm

Beethoven Sextet for two horns and string quartet in E-flat major, Op. 81b
Mahler Quartet in A minor for piano, violin, viola and cello
Fauré Sonata No. 1 in A major for violin and piano, Op. 13
Turina Sinfonia Sevillana, Op. 29

Performed by Stefanie Farrands (Viola), Alexander Sitkovetsky (Violin), Emmalena Huning (Violin), Stefan Dohr (French Horn), Ben Jacks (French Horn), Dene Olding AM (Violin), Lise Berthaud (Viola), Christian-Pierre La Marca (Cello), Alexander Krichel (Piano), Wu Qian (Piano), Karin Schaupp (Guitar), Charlotte Miles (Cello)

DAY 5 | TUESDAY 28 JULY 2026

TOUR ENDS

Following our final breakfast, the tour concludes.

Please note: The festival will announce their 2026 program in early 2026.

INCLUSIONS

24-28 JULY 2026 (5 DAYS)

AUD$5,350 PER PERSON TWIN SHARE

Single supplement: AUD$750
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 24 February 2026)
Final payment due: 21 May 2026

INCLUSIONS:

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

• Tour Leader and Talks: Tour leadership and private talks about the music by Dr Jack Stephens.

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

• Hotels: Four nights’ accommodation at the luxury 5-star Crystalbrook Riley, Cairns staying in a King Room with Sea View.

• Travel: Land travel by private air-conditioned coach. Please note that short journeys will be by foot.

• Meals/Drinks: Breakfast each morning at the hotel. Three lunches/dinners with wine, water and tea/coffee, and welcome drinks on day 1.

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

• Information Pack: Comprehensive pre-tour information pack.

EXCLUSIONS:

• Domestic Travel: Hayllar Music Tours can provide you with a quote. Phone 02 9669 9181 / +61 2 9669 9181 or email contact@hayllarmusictours.com

• 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 8 people. The maximum number on the tour will be 20 people.

FITNESS LEVEL REQUIRED - LEVEL 1

All members of the group must feel comfortable walking for 1–2 hours, standing for long periods of time in museums, art galleries etc. and embarking/disembarking coaches.

BOOKING TERMS & CONDITIONS

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

Australian Festival of Chamber Music

sold out | waitlist only

This tour is now sold out. To register your place on the waitlist, please fill out the form below, or contact us on 02 9669 9181 / +61 2 9669 9181 (Australia / International) or contact@hayllarmusictours.com