2025 Festival > Welcome
Welcome from MONICA CURRO and STEFAN CASSOMENOS
Artistic Directors
MOSAIC – the ancient practice of assembling thousands of tiny pieces into an exquisitely unified image – multi-faceted, textural, and an artwork much greater than the sum of its parts.
In 2025 PFSMF explores the metaphorical symbolism of MOSAIC to represent the unique threads of our individual human DNA, bloodlines and heritage; to rejoice in the miracle of how millions of notes in the hands of master musicians are crafted into stunning sonic stories; and to pay homage to the Ancient Greek origins of the word itself, which celebrates the inspiration of the Muses in all artistic endeavours.
We unveil a boundless spectrum of pigments – from the familiar wavelengths of Mozart, Chopin, Schubert, Liszt, Sibelius, Brahms, Bizet, Bach and Beethoven – to the nuanced tones of Stravinsky, Poulenc, Albeniz, Messiaen, Mompou, Schulz-Evler, Britten, Prokofiev, and Korngold – from the lustre of Piazzolla, Gade, Agri, Carli, Lecuona, and Nazareth – to the blushing shades of Bartók, Crumb, Skalkottas, Khachaturian, Tan Dun, Hosokawa, Ngurah, Seletsky, and Lutosławski.
We marvel at the antique dyes of Purcell, Lully, Scarlatti, Colombi, Cabezón, Jiménez, Seixas, Anglés, Milano, Attaingnant, Visée, Erlebach, Abel, Piccinini, Fischer, Kapsperger, Dowland, and Pachelbel – and at many so ancient, we have no name by which to call them.
Our prism is brightly burnished with the breathtakingly fresh hues of Elena Kats-Chernin, Aaron Wyatt, Alma Mahler, Rebecca Clarke, John Zorn, Kate Moore, Maria Grenfell, Kaija Saariaho, Anne Leilehua Lanzilotti, Marc-André Hamelin, Nicholas Pollock, Wally Gunn, Kym Alexandra Dillon, Stefan Cassomenos, Paul Dean, Lee Bradshaw, and Neeharika Shyju – including four to be witnessed by you for the very first time.
We are blessed with an atelier of expert artisans, including esteemed tesserae polishers Jonathan Békés, Zoë Black, Monica Curro, Rohan Dasika, Eclective, Phoebe Green, Caroline Henbest, Nils Hobiger, Molly Kadarauch, Jenny Khafagi, Hannah Lane, Christopher Moore, Nicholas Pollock, Douglas Rutherford, and Timo-Veikko Valve; lauded colourists Philip Arkinstall, Emmanuel Cassimatis, Francesco Celata, Charles MacInnes and Amos Roach; eminent lapidaries Phil Carroll, James Crabb, Louise Devenish, Peter de Jager, Kaylie Melville, Zela Papageorgiou, Hamish Upton, and Port Fairy’s Ring of Bells; and finally, to give our MOSAIC the breath of life, we present Mia Robinson, Ruth Roshan, Lior, Jude Perl, Louis Hurley, Judith Dodsworth, Aidan Hodder, Jeremy Kleeman, Merlyn Quaife, Nathan Lay, Peter Rose, T-Shirt Opera, The Consort of Melbourne, Vox Plexus, the PFSMF Chorus, and our now-legendary PFSMF Children’s Chorus – joining you all this October to lovingly craft our iridescent weekend in glowing Port Fairy.
Welcome from PENNY HUTCHINSON
Chair
It is my great pleasure to welcome everyone to this year’s celebration of music, musicians, and community spirit. Immersed in the heart of Port Fairy, our Festival has long been a beacon of cultural vibrancy; uniting artists, audiences, and the picturesque charm of this coastal gem of a town.
Monica and Stefan’s 2025 program is a testament to our commitment to artistic excellence and diversity. Across three days, we will host a myriad of performances, from classical masterpieces to contemporary innovations, showcasing artists both cherished and emerging. This year’s theme, “Mosaic” reflects our dedication to fostering connections through music — transcending geographical, cultural, and generational divides. With this in mind, we have some new events which will invite anyone to be part of the Festival.
Our Festival owes its success to the unwavering support of our supporters from government, sponsors, generous individuals and the local community. Your generosity sustains the vision that makes Port Fairy a cultural destination year after year. To our artists, whose creativity and passion illuminate each performance, and to our tireless volunteers, whose many hours of dedication ensure the smooth flow of events, I extend heartfelt gratitude from the board.
I encourage you to immerse yourself in the Festival’s offerings — whether in the long tradition of small ensemble classical offerings or the contemporary, or the outdoor. Whether you are joining us for the first time or returning as a longtime supporter, I trust you will find inspiration, joy, and connection here.
Thank you for being part of the Port Fairy Spring Music Festival. Let the music move you, at a time we need it more than ever.
Welcome from COLIN BROOKS MP
Minister for Creative Industries
There is a reason why people keep coming back to the Port Fairy Spring Music Festival.
For 35 years the festival has attracted visitors from far and wide to this wonderful part of our state to celebrate music and creativity with the local community.
Over 3 days, more than 70 established and emerging artists and musicians will showcase their talents across the town’s theatres, community venues and open spaces.
Highlights this year include an interactive musical performance for children, the unique Port Fairy Ring of Bells, free programming for schools, master classes for local rising talent, and a closing gala featuring instrumentalists and local singers of all ages.
The Victorian Government is proud to support this event which epitomises Port Fairy’s vibrant arts scene and community spirit. It’s a drawcard for tourists, and its benefits for the local community and economy are far-reaching.
The festival’s longevity is a testament to the vision and hard work of the festival team, the quality of the artists featured, and the dedication of the volunteers and supporters who help bring it to life.
Happy 35th birthday to the Port Fairy Spring Music Festival – here’s to another year of memorable and inspiring experiences!
