Thank you
“ Ridge ’ s parting festival rates as the most solid in the festival ’ s history .
THE AUSTRALIAN , 30 OCTOBER 2015
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FROM THE ARTISTIC DIRECTOR
The 2015 Melbourne Festival was exciting in many ways , and it is particularly pleasing that in our 30th anniversary year , the public and our many supporters have responded to it with such enthusiasm .
In celebrating the Festival ’ s 30th anniversary , we set out to explore the contribution that the Festival has made to Melbourne as an arts festival , as an international festival and as the festival of Melbourne — the City , over the past thirty years . This exploration had a tangible presence in the three forums held each weekend led by past Artistic Directors and in our commemorative book .
However the Festival also found form in the wide-ranging program of international work by artists as stellar as Desdemona ’ s director Peter Sellars , singer Rokia Traoré , dancers from the Batsheva Dance Company and Peeping Tom , musician John McLaughlin , and the Headlong company with their adaptation of George Orwell ’ s 1984 ; in the meaningful engagement with some of Melbourne and Australia ’ s best artists in world premieres and Festival co-commissions such as the poignant new opera , The Rabbits ; and in the celebration of some of the very many aspects of Melbourne that make this city such a vibrant , diverse and fascinating place to live .
I am proud of the Festival staff , our artists , our audiences and our partners for the role that everyone has played in making my final Festival as Artistic Director not only joyous , but also a meaningful addition to the Melbourne Festival story . Thank you all .
JOSEPHINE RIDGE Artistic Director 2013 — 2015
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