Travelling Tales is the third instalment in a series of five concerts, entitled ‘The Usefulness of Art’, by multi-instrumentalist Adam Simmons, all taking place at fortyfivedownstairs. The first, Concerto for Piano and Toy Band, was performed in March this year, and the second, The Usefulness of Art, in August. The final two instalments are scheduled for May and July 2018.

Travelling Tales was initially composed and performed for the 2013 Piraeus Festival in Athens, and performed by the Intrarti Orchestra. For this, its first Melbourne performance, Simmons collaborated with the Arcko Symphonic Ensemble – on this occasion a twenty-piece string orchestra – founded in 2008 by Artistic Director Timothy Phillips. The Ensemble specialises in performing Australian works, particularly those that have received a première, but not – as is all too common – the opportunity of a second or third outing.