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Still making waves: the Australian Chamber Orchestra

23 May 2025

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As the Australian Chamber Orchestra celebrates its 50th anniversary, Michael White speaks to its long-time artistic director Richard Tognetti about its unique place in the musical world

Journalistic travel budgets being as they are, I’ve never visited Richard Tognetti’s stylishly stripped-down home in the Sydney suburb of Manly (beachside, smart). But I’ve seen pictures, so I know he keeps a surfboard propped against the wall beside his concert grand. And it’s hard not to interpret the juxtaposition as some sort of statement – about him, about Australian music making, or about the orchestra he’s led for 35 of its 50 years…

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