The rafters of the Rippon Hall rang with applause on Sunday night (October 13) as At The World’s Edge Festival (AWE) took its final bow to a standing ovation.

Throughout the ten day festival, audiences from Queenstown to Bannockburn and Cromwell to Wānaka were treated to programmes of folk and classical music performed by some of the world’s best chamber musicians.

“This has been, quite simply, a brilliant experience for everyone involved,” AWE festival director and violinist Justine Cormack said. 

“This was our biggest programme to date and we were thrilled with the support that we received from our audiences and the broader community into which AWE has become inextricably embedded.”

Highlights included the world premiere of this year‘s composer-in-residence, Eve de Castro-Robinson’s new work, earth’s eye, which was commissioned by AWE. 

Eve said there could be no better place for the piece to make its début than Rippon Hall with the backdrop of Lake Wānaka, as the piece was inspired by Thoreau’s line: “A lake is the landscape’s most beautiful and expressive feature. It is earth’s eye; looking into which the beholder measures the depth of his own nature.” 

Justine said festival audiences “of all ages” showed there was a demand for world class performances in the Queenstown Lakes and Central Otago regions. 

“We may be situated geographically at the world’s edge, but when it comes to chamber music this festival shows that we are undoubtedly front and centre.”

In addition to the main festival programme, the AWE+ series offered free events including composer and artist talks, stand alone concerts and open rehearsals.

Some musicians have remained in the region for the final week of AWE to visit schools around the region. 

“This week is every bit as important for us as the performances that come before,” Justine said.

“Our artists love playing for and with young students and hope that they can offer inspiration and motivation to younger generations of musicians.” 

Justine thanked AWE’s sponsors, patrons, artists and audiences for supporting the festival.