2026 Newcastle Music Festival: Festival Finale
A black-and-white portrait shows a seated person in a suit and bow tie with glasses, turned slightly to the side against a softly textured background.
From one of the most original voices in the history of orchestral music, Mahler’s first symphony remains one of his most popular.
Ranging from the tenderest moments to passages of earth-shattering drama, this symphony was his Mahler’s first mark on the world of music, daring to build on the tradition of his great hero, Beethoven. Mahler’s epic vision soars in this version for chamber orchestra, in which the Camerata expands to include wind, brass and percussion. The concert begins with a colourful work for strings by Adam Manning, Lecturer at the University of Newcastle, premiered by the Melbourne Symphony Orchestra in 2024.
Performing Artists
- Christ Church Camerata
- Conductor David Banney
Program
- Adam Manning: Hot Season, Changing Skies
- Gustav Mahler: Symphony #1 - arranged David Banney
Event Information
- Date: This Live Performance event will be held on Sunday 16 August 2026 from 2:30pm - 4:30pm
- Duration: 2 hours
- Location: Newcastle Conservatorium of Music, Cnr Laman St & Auckland St, Newcastle NSW 2300
- Room: Harold Lobb Concert Hall
- Campus: Newcastle (City)
About the Newcastle Music Festival
The Newcastle Music Festival returns for its ninth season in 2026, having been inaugurated in 2016, and missing festivals in 2020 and 2021. The Festival was founded by its first Artistic Directors, David Banney and Ross Fiddes with music ranging from classical to jazz, and from world music to contemporary music.
Our artists have included the best musicians of Newcastle and the Hunter Valley, as well as outstanding national and international performers. In addition, the Festival has given performance opportunities to hundreds of community musicians through the Festival Choir and Festival Strings, and masterclasses.
The 2026 Newcastle Music Festival runs from 6-16 August 2026, you can find out more details on their website.
The University of Newcastle acknowledges the traditional custodians of the lands within our footprint areas: Awabakal, Darkinjung, Biripai, Worimi, Wonnarua, and Eora Nations. We also pay respect to the wisdom of our Elders past and present.