What are they going to do next? I often wonder … I’m talking about Pinchgut Opera, renowned for staging rarely heard baroque masterpieces, overlooked by major opera companies. This year, they present a new, fully staged and costumed production of Francesco Cavalli’s L’Ormindo, ‘an intriguing comedy of love triangles’, from 2 December. The cast features some of Australia’s favourite voices. In our cover story Sarah Noble talks to director Talya Masel about her approach to this colourful work, and to mezzo-soprano Fiona Campbell about her role as Erisbe. Read more ...

2009 sees the end of the biennial Ian Potter Music Commissions. In accordance with the Trust’s policy, support will now shift to another sector of the arts. Over the last decade the Music Commissions have played an integral part in supporting new music in Australia. Previous recipients include Damian Barbeler, Barry Conyngham, Liza Lim and Elena Kats-Chernin. Joining the list of distinguished composers are Gordon Kerry, Iain Grandage and Damien Ricketson. Julie Simonds chats with this year’s winners.

Internationally acclaimed for her performances of Butterfly, Australian soprano Cheryl Barker talks to Julie Simonds about her forthcoming roles and her latest CD, Great Operatic Arias.

Bach from Japan … Andrew Dziedzic asks conductor Masaaki Suzuki, the unassuming grandmaster of Japan’s premier Bach ensemble, about their latest recording of Bach’s church cantatas … all 142 of them.

Finally, our Station Manager is walkin’ again, this time to the beat of Chopin, including all 58 Mazurkas. Tune in to 102.5 on Saturday 7 November for updates or join Mike on his Chopin walk. And remember, it’s at a lively tempo with emphasis on the third or second beat …