Speeches
Monday, 17 November 2025
Musica Viva Reception
Rod and I warmly welcome you all to Government House this evening to mark eighty years of Musica Viva Australia.
We are pleased to celebrate here in Adelaide, a UNESCO Creative City of Music.
Some of my fondest musical memories are of Musica Viva performances.
As a child my grandmother would take me to your concerts at Adelaide Town Hall.
As an adult, living on and off in Canberra, I enjoyed chamber music performances at Llewellyn Hall.
Earlier this year Rod and I were fortunate, during the Adelaide Festival, to enjoy the exceptional voice of First Nations artist Jess Hitchcock, accompanied by the Penny Quartet.
And just last week we attended Piotr Anderszewski's remarkable performance at the Town Hall.
This collection of experiences reflects Musica Viva’s commitment to share diverse, exceptional performances with Australian audiences.
Musica Viva has strongly influenced the trajectory of music in our country.
What began as a group of displaced musicians sharing their deep love of music has evolved into the largest chamber music organisation and the largest music education provider in the world.
Eight decades on, the original instinct of your founders Richard Goldner and Walter Dullo, to build a community around their deep love of music, remains a constant.
It continues to define Musica Viva's stated purpose, to connect all Australians to something bigger than themselves: powerful music which awakens the spirit.
Of course, Musica Viva's commitment to music extends far beyond concert halls.
I was pleased to learn you reach close to 200,000 Australian students annually, delivering seventy-four performances across South Australia this year alone, from Port Lincoln to Mount Gambier and throughout the Riverland.
This work, alongside programs like Strike A Chord and the Music Education Residencies, demonstrates Musica Viva's unwavering pursuit of making music accessible, particularly to young people.
I am told the Residency Program which operates in select schools, often in disadvantaged areas, began right here in South Australia, due to strong donor support.
It has proven very successful and now operates nationally, for which we can all be proud.
Friends,
I thank the many South Australian stakeholders who have contributed to Musica Viva’s success and longevity over eighty years.
This includes board, staff, musicians, teachers, supporters and partners who have been active members of this community.
In particular I thank the South Australian volunteers, including those on the South Australian Members Council, for generously donating their time and energy to help Musica Viva reach its goals.
Your advocacy and your expertise are greatly appreciated.
I also thank the patrons in attendance this evening, including donors and long-term audience members.
I believe that one or two of you have been attending Musica Viva concerts since the late 1940s, which is quite a record!
As Musica Viva looks to the future, I am deeply encouraged by its continued commitment to its founding values, and to the power of music to connect people.
As your organisation’s name translates - “Long live the Music”!