Louise King and Margaret Blades will be bringing the transformative and timeless music of Bach to hinterland audiences this month

Louise King and Margaret Blades.

Bach Unwrapped 2026 Brings Intimate Bach Festival to Brisbane and the Sunshine Coast 20–30 March 2026

A mini-festival celebrating the music of Johann Sebastian Bach will unfold across Brisbane and the Sunshine Coast Hinterland region this March, as Cello Dreaming presents Bach Unwrapped 2026 featuring 10 events over 10 days in an intimate microtour format.

Directed by award-winning cellist and festival director Louise King, Bach Unwrapped places Bach’s solo and chamber works in small halls, studios, cafes, parks and hinterland spaces designed for acoustic clarity and audience and artist connection.

Joining King is distinguished Australian violinist Margaret Blades, Co-Artistic Director of Gold Coast Chamber Orchestra, guest artist for Southern Cross Soloists, and Creative Director at Bond University, Gold Coast. Margaret is the former Concertmaster of the Adelaide Symphony Orchestra and Associate Concertmaster of the West Australian Symphony Orchestra.

They will present a program of solo masterpieces including the Partita in E major (violin) and Suite in C major (cello), alongside Two-Part Inventions and beloved duo works. Each concert features a Masterclass Artist as support act, providing a professional platform for emerging musicians to perform Bach in public performance settings. The mini-festival extends beyond the concert hall with public masterclasses in Brisbane and the Sunshine Coast, free outdoor performance events and local cafe and studio concerts, and daily Bach At Lunch Instagram live sessions.

Artistic Director Louise King said “International festivals place Bach at the centre of their programming because his music is profound, architectural and transformative. In Leipzig, audiences make pilgrimage to hear his works.

“Living on the Sunshine Coast for the last twenty three years, I have yet to find anyone presenting his solo instrumental works and this is my fourth annual program. I champion how classical music can connect with modern audiences.”

With limited seating at many small venues, Bach Unwrapped offers audiences a rare opportunity to experience Bach’s music up close, intimate, acoustic and immersive.

Tickets are now available. Early booking is recommended. For bookings and full program details, visit Humanitix https://collections.humanitix.com/bach-unwrapped-2026