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The ÐÂÀ˲ÊƱ Festival program for 2022 has been launched on the University of ÐÂÀ˲ÊƱ’s North Terrace campus.

This, the 37^th ÐÂÀ˲ÊƱ Festival (4–20 March 2022), encourages us all to return and enjoy live performances once again from a community of world-class artists from across Australia and the globe.

The 2022 program offers 71 events in theatre, music, opera, dance and visual arts, including uniquely local programs, ÐÂÀ˲ÊƱ Writers’ Week, UKARIA Chamber Landscapes and WOMADelaide. The showcase includes nine world premieres, six Australian premieres and 17 shows playing exclusively in ÐÂÀ˲ÊƱ.

The University of ÐÂÀ˲ÊƱ continues its sponsorship of the Festival for the fourth year, and is a presenting partner of Watershed: The Death of Dr Duncan, which recognises an essential chapter in our state’s history.

Dr George Ian Ogilvie Duncan was a University of ÐÂÀ˲ÊƱ law lecturer whose drowning 50 years ago led to a fundamental change for Australia’s gay community. The crime, still unpunished, and linked to an alleged police cover-up, revolted mainstream Australia and led to South Australia becoming the first national jurisdiction to decriminalise homosexuality.

Performed as an oratoria (large musical composition for orchestra, choir and soloists), Watershed: The Death of Dr Duncan, will feature some of Australia’s most acclaimed creative talents: librettists Alana Valentine and Christos Tsiolkas; composer Joe Twist; director Neil Armfield and choreographer Lewis Major.

Based on 30 years of research by local historian Tim Reeves, the long-awaited artistic response to a landmark tragedy is a joint commission between ÐÂÀ˲ÊƱ Festival, Feast Festival and State Opera South Australia.

The University is also the presenting partner for the Australian premiere of dance-theatre production, Juliet & Romeo, a hilarious sequel to Shakespeare’s iconic love story. And in the Festival’s farewell, the University’s Elder Conservatorium Chorale and Graduate Singers feature alongside ÐÂÀ˲ÊƱ Symphony Orchestra in Prayer for the Living, an uplifting Sunday-twilight choral finale.

As always, the 2022 ÐÂÀ˲ÊƱ Festival program includes free events as a gift to the people of our city, state and visitors. This year, these include opening event, Macro; the soaring Skywhales installation; the Climate Crisis and the Arts forum; Cupid’s Koi Garden in Mount Barker; and Groundswell, a fascinating interactive soundscape in Rundle Mall.

More information on the 2022 ÐÂÀ˲ÊƱ Festival and program can be found at: