The return of Olivier Messiaen

Olivier Messiaen's masterpiece for solo piano Vingt regards sur l'enfant-Jésus was last performed in Melbourne in February 2009 – days after the opening of the Melbourne Recital Centre. Steven Osborne was the soloist on that occasion. His was a memorable performance – in front of a pitifully small audience, not helped by the eccentric programming so typical of the MRC in its infancy. (The recital started at 10 pm and ended well after midnight.)

Fortunately, admirers of the piece and of Pierre-Laurent Aimard's pianism won't have to wait that long to hear his version of Vingt regards at the MRC on Sunday, 20 March. The recital starts at 5 pm. This promises to be one of the recitals of the year.

The distinguished French pianist will be busy during his visit to Australia. This week he performs Messiaen's Des canyons aux étoiles with the Sydney Symphony Orchestra (March 9, 11, and 12). With the Melbourne Symphony Orchestra he will perform Ravel's Piano Concerto for Left Hand on March 18, 19 and 21 (prior to Mahler's Fifth Symphony).

La Mama seeks submissions from patrons and performers

La Mama Theatre in Carlton celebrates its fiftieth birthday next year. The Melbourne insitution is planning a book commemorating its history, to be published by Miegunyah Press. The book will be composed of recollections and ancedotes by artists and audiences who have attended the theatre over the years. The book will be edited by frequent La Mama writer and performer Adam Cass. Contributions and questions can be directed to Cass at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

Green Room Awards nominees announced

The 2016 Green Room Awards nominees have been announced, with Opera Australia, Victorian Opera, Melboure Theatre Company, and St Kilda's Theatre Works all receiving nominations. The winners will be announced during a ceremony on 21 March at the Comedy Theatre, Melbourne. For more information and to book tickets, visit their website.

Porter Prize ceremony this week

Join us for the Peter Porter Poetry Prize ceremony at 6pm on Wednesday, 9 March in Studio 2 at Boyd Community Hub (207 City Road in Southbank). This year the judges have shortlisted five poems – by Dan Disney, Anne Elvey, Amanda Joy, Lisa Gluskin Stonestreet, and Campbell Thomson – for the 2016 Peter Porter Poetry Prize (worth a total of $7,500) . The shortlisted poems appear in our March issue. The winner will be announced at the Porter ceremony at Boyd. Come along to hear the poets introduce and read their poems, preceded by readings of the work of Peter Porter.

When: 6 pm, Wednesday 9 March 2016
Where: Studio 2, Boyd Community Hub, 207 City Road, Southbank, Victoria 3006.
Bookings: This is a free public event but bookings are essential: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..