2023
Under the artistic direction of Ruth Mackenzie CBE, the 2023 Adelaide Festival (3–19 March) delivered a vibrant 17-day celebration of creativity, featuring 52 events and performances across theatre, music, opera, dance, literature and visual arts. With 11 world premieres, 8 Australian premieres and 17 Adelaide exclusives, the Festival welcomed 893 artists from 18 countries and drew over 242,000 attendances, reaffirming its place as Australia’s flagship international arts event.
The Festival opened with Spinifex Gum at Elder Park, a free outdoor concert featuring Marliya choir and the Adelaide Symphony Orchestra, conducted by Aaron Wyatt. This powerful performance spotlighted First Nations voices and set the tone for a program rich in cultural storytelling and artistic excellence.
A major operatic highlight was Messa da Requiem, a collaboration between Ballett Zürich and Australian artists, choreographed by Christian Spuck and conducted by Johannes Fritzsch. This visually stunning and emotionally resonant production transformed Verdi’s classic into a contemporary dance-opera hybrid that captivated audiences.
Theatre highlights included Kip Williams’ adaptation of Strange Case of Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde by Sydney Theatre Company, The Sheep Song by FC Bergman and Toneelhuis, Maureen: Harbinger of Death by Jonny Hawkins and Nell Ranney, A Little Life by Internationaal Theater Amsterdam and Dogs of Europe by Belarus Free Theatre.
Festival staples returned in full force, including Adelaide Writers’ Week, Chamber Landscapes at UKARIA, and WOMADelaide, each offering immersive experiences in literature, chamber music and global sounds. The Festival also embraced new media and physical theatre, with standout performances like Air Play by Acrobuffos and Revisor by Kidd Pivot.
The Festival’s commitment to accessibility and community engagement was evident through initiatives like the Citizens’ Orchestra with a strong focus on First Nations storytelling and youth participation. Other highlights include, the installation Lost Dogs’ Disco by ENESS at Mount Barker and Lorde who performed at the Adelaide Entertainment Centre Arena.
Thank you for joining us at Adelaide Festival 2023
Keen to find out more? Check out our end-of-Festival news article or watch our AF23 wrap clip.