‘When people come to our concerts, they don’t expect to be entertained lightly. You can’t ask for anything more.’ says Richard Tognetti, artistic director and lead violin of the Australian Chamber Orchestra. And this may have been the reason why I’ve been going to ACO concerts since my student days. In 2010 the orchestra continues with its diverse and innovative programming for which they’ve become known and loved around the country and the world. In our cover story Simon Moore chats with Richard about their next subscription series, the recording of Mozart’s violin concertos, music critics … and muzak. Read more ...

This month Mariza returns to the Sydney Opera House with a new program inspired by seven years of touring. Shamistha de Soysa talks to the Portuguese artist who introduced us to Fado, the world’s oldest urban folk music (page 3).

Each summer since 1876, thousands of Wagner lovers have descended upon the German town of Bayreuth for its annual opera festival. This year Leta Keens joins the Wagnerian pilgrimage and reveals how people act between acts in her postcard from Bayreuth (page 8).

And finally … Debbie, Mike, Schoobie and Ludwig the Cat return on Saturday 31 October at 2pm with Pets’ Choice, 2MBS-FM’s national award-winning program. So it’s time for tweedy birds to twitter, snakes to sms and crocodiles to call us on 94394777 to request your favourite music, or simply email us at pets.choice@2mbs.com!

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