One of the greatest shows on Earth opens in Perth tonight as the brilliance of superstar Björk lights up the final weekend for Perth Festival 2023.
The Festival opened with the stunning Noongar cosmic creation story of Djoondal by the shores of Lake Joondalup and comes to a stellar conclusion this long weekend with a series of inspiring world-premieres from local artists and new shows from around Australia and the world.
Björk’s Australian-exclusive concert spectacular Cornucopia, supported through Tourism WA, is the Icelandic art-pop legend’s most extravagant production ever and is a highlight of the 2023 Festival’s Djinda celebration of the stars.
This intoxicating immersive live experience runs over four nights inside the largest free span tent in the Southern Hemisphere at Langley Park.
Cornucopia is Björk’s first Australian concert appearance in 15 years and is presented only in Perth to celebrate the 70th anniversary of Australia’s longest-running international arts festival on 3, 6, 9 and 12 March. Tickets are still available at perthfestival.com.au.
Image: Björk’s concert spectacular Cornucopia. Credit: Santiago Felipe
Across the road from Langley Park, Perth Concert Hall hosts a weekend of musical wonder with the legendary Kronos Quartet celebrating their 50th anniversary with a new work by Noongar composer Maatakitj. French pianist Cédric Tiberghien performs The Cage Project beneath Matthias Schack-Arnott's stunning mobile of percussion instruments, and Perth’s own 2023 Grammy Award-winner Linda May Han Oh returns home for the world-premiere of her stunning Ephemeral Echoes.
Contemporary music hotspot The Rechabite also will be pumping every night for dancefloor sensations Leon Vynehall, Interzone and Nakhane.
In a bumper final weekend, Perth’s acclaimed Sensorium Theatre premieres Wonderbox for children with disability and their friends, the trans-Tasman production Hide the Dog takes a magical journey to save the Tassie tiger, Australian Dance Theatre brings us the unforgettable story of Tracker and Virginia Gay’s delightful, razor-sharp Cyrano wraps up at the State Theatre Centre.
Audiences across central Perth will be able to see Michaela Gleave’s light installation Between us transmit morse-code messages of hope and connection into space from the Art Gallery of WA rooftop from 8pm each night through to Monday.
Festival Artistic Director Iain Grandage says: "What a Festival it has been, as we have once again had the opportunity to welcome artists and audiences from around the globe for this special celebration of people and place here on Noongar Boodjar in the city we love.
"Our hearts and minds have been filled with the most beautiful art – from intimate gems to breathtaking spectacle.
"This Festival themed around Djinda has been dedicated to stories of stars and stories by stars, including our extraordinary Western Australian artists. We have been immensely privileged to been able to bring them to our audiences – and are overwhelmed that they have been received so enthusiastically. Thank you to all who have joined us."
More than 750 international, national and local artists have enthralled and delighted audiences at 130-plus events over the past three weeks, with ticket sales breaking Festival records. Although the performance program formally winds up this weekend, a few shows continue into next week, including Björk and Angel Olsen.
Lotterywest Films continues under the stars at UWA Somerville until April 9, with Belgium’s beautiful coming of age drama and Oscar nominee Close opening at Perth’s most picturesque picture garden this Monday. An extensive series of free Visual Arts exhibitions also continue around the galleries for the next few weeks.
For the second year, we have taken the Festival on the road with our Touring WA program from the Pilbara to the Great Southern, supported by Minderoo Foundation.
We are incredibly grateful to our audiences, artists, volunteers, corporate partners, supporters and donors whose generous commitment have made the Festival possible. We thank Principal Partner Lotterywest, Founding Partner The University of Western Australia and all those who have made such a positive impact on our community through the Festival.