A curated list of upcoming concerts. See also the Australian Music Centre concert calendar and the New Music Network concert series.

Wednesday 15 May. Composer Leah Barclay leads a musical investigation into water security in India tonight at 6pm with The Dam(n) Project at Ian Hanger Recital Hall, Griffith Conservatorium of Music, QLD. Part of the Encounters: India series.

There will be a cross-cultural exploration of the static and shifting textures of drones at the Conservatorium Theatre, Griffith Conservatorium of Music, QLD. I love this write up on the AMC calendar: “Beginning with the oldest known drone in the world, the didgeridoo, this program is a celebration of string playing, with that prince of cellists, Rohan de Saram, presiding over a veritable palace of cellists. An Indian first half showcases music especially written for Rohan. It is balanced by an Australian second half in which the raw energy of Richard Vella is calmed by the erotic meditations of Peter Schaefer.” Part of the Encounters: India series.

Thursday 16 May. Victorian Opera’s production of one of the twentieth century’s most well-known operas Nixon in China opens tomorrow. They have put together a wonderful and informative web page for the show, which runs until 23 May.

Friday 17 May. As part of a collaboration between UTAS and Stephen F. Austin State University, Nathan Nabb and Christopher Ayer present an evening featuring pieces by UTAS composer Maria Grenfell and SFA’s Stephen Lias. 7:30pm, Hobart Conservatorium Recital Hall, TAS.

Larry Sitsky’s Peal will be performed on the National Carillon around 12pm–3pm in Canberra, ACT. The Canberra International Music Festival is offering a boat cruise with lunch but I suppose you could also just ride one of those covered bicycle carts around Lake Burley Griffin and listen out.

Saturday 18 May. ReFlux: A concert celebrating the 50th anniversary of George Maciunas’ Fluxus Manifesto featuring performance scores by George Brecht, Yoko Ono, George Maciunas, Emmett Williams, as well as new scores by Scott Comanzo (US), Cameron Kennedy, Kim Tan and Matthew Horsley. 2pm at the Rotunda, Queen Victoria Gardens, Southbank, VIC, by donation. BYO chairs, food, pets and whatever. Come prepared to perform …

The Elder Conservatorium’s music ensemble in residence Soundstream Collective will perform Australian composer Cat Hope’s new composition Stella Degradation at the Anne & Gordon Samstag Museum of Art, SA.