L
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E
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R NE FES
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It was 1977 when Sir Rupert
Hamer posited the idea that
Melbourne should have an
international arts festival.
At the time, the Arts Centre
was only half way through
construction.
While the foundations of the city
were much in evidence—the
famous grid layout, majestic
architecture, generously wide
streets—the Melbourne that we
know and love today— with its
buzzing laneways, designer retail,
thriving restaurant and bar scene,
galleries, river walks and public
spaces—still lay ahead.
As Melbourne morphed into
Australia’s most liveable city,
model of multiculturalism,
a leader in arts and design,
technological innovator, lover
of sport and hungry for ideas,
Melbourne Festival continued to
emulate the city’s trajectory by
responding to the times and the
growing cultural wealth of our
thriving metropolis.
Over 30 years, 11 Artistic
Directors strived to create the
festival of Melbourne in all its
dimensions.
Celebrating 30 years
M
LB
30 YEARS OF
MELBOURNE
FESTIVAL
Whether you have attended many
editions or only a few you will
no doubt have your favourite
memories; those experiences
that will never leave you. Here are
some of ours:
On the first night of the first
festival Gian Carlo Menotti
presented the Victoria State
Opera performing Ken Russell’s
production of Madam Butterfly;
John Truscott positioned arches
over Princes Bridge and imagined
the grandeur of Botanica; Richard
Wherrett mesmerized us with
Robert Wilson’s masterpiece
Einstein on the Beach; In the
10th anniversary progam, Leo
Scholfield brought to life the
glory of the Myer Mural Hall
with Barbara Cook and Michael
Feinstein; Clifford Hocking
presented The Australian Ballet
and Bangarra Dance Theatre’s
Rites to the Stravinsky score;
Sue Nattrass closed the streets
at Flinders Street station with
lights, music and story–telling;
Jonathan Mills gave us the gift
of the Kirov Opera and Orchestra;
Robyn Archer had us dancing in
Federation Square and drawn into
Back to Back Theatre’s soft.
The memory of the 20th year
was made indelible when Kristy
Edmunds presented Théâtre du
Soleil’s Le Dernier Caravansérail
in the Royal Exhibition Building.
Angels–Demon Parade by
AES+F was another of those
unforgettable festival experiences
in the form of colossal jet–black
sculptures positioned on St
Kilda Road in Brett Sheehy’s
first program. Josephine
Ridge concludes her years as
Artistic Director in this, the 30th
Anniversary year. In the previous
two we have been graced by the
unique blend of power, skill and
beauty of Sylvie Guillem as well
as the perennially influential
Trisha Brown.
From October 2015 new
challenges will be met, new
experiences will be created
and new memories formed.
So whether you are adding to
your Festival memory bank or
starting afresh with your first
Melbourne Festival, it all begins
on the pages that follow… Enjoy.
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