What’s what and who’s who in the arts this week? Here’s arts editor’s HELEN MUSA‘s weekly “Arts in the City” column. 

LAKESPEARE & Co is back with “Songs and Sonnets” at Pialligo Estate Glasshouse, which is being transformed into a cabaret-style speakeasy for the three-course meal and show. Much of the evening is based on original compositions written and performed by Jay Cameron, a young Scottish composer who has moved to Canberra. Pialligo Estate Glasshouse, Pialligo, June 10-11, 18-19. Book here.

“ANCIENT Greeks: Athletes, Warriors and Heroes” from the British Museum is coming to the National Museum of Australia in Canberra from December 17, after COVID-19 delayed its arrival last year. NMA director, Mathew Trinca, believes audiences will be mesmerised by the depictions of athletes and the stories of competition in the ancient Greek world, as well as the ceramics, sculptures, armour and jewellery featured in the show.

CANBERRA-raised soprano Lorina Gore is the CSO’s Artist in Focus this year. She will next be seen singing works by Poulenc, Mozart, Schubert, Lehár, Gounod, Liza Lehmann, Amy Woodforde-Finden and Stephen Foster, accompanied by pianist Alan Hicks. Gandel Hall, National Gallery of Australia, 2pm, Sunday, June 6. Book here or 6262 6772.

MUSICA da Camera, conducted by violinist Dan Russell, will present “Music for the People” covering music from the Baroque to the 20th century, with “Autumn” from Vivaldi’s “Four Seasons”, Saint-Saëns’ “Introduction and Rondo Capriccioso” the “Chamber Symphony” by Shostakovich and a selection of Nordic folk tunes arranged by the Danish String Quartet. Holy Covenant Church, Cook, Saturday, June 12. Book here.

THE cult show, “Bluey’s Big Play” stars the Heeler family, Bluey, Bingo, Bandit and Chilli performed by brilliantly created puppets and with new music by Bluey composer, Joff Bush. They’ll be at Canberra Theatre Centre from June 12-13. Book here or 6275 2700.

ONE of the world’s leading French horn players, Nicolas Fleury, alongside London violinist Emily Sun and pianist Amir Farid, will perform a program for Musica Viva, opening with an arrangement of Mozart’s Horn Quintet by Ernst Naumann for piano, violin and horn, followed by the world premiere of “Sonata for Violin and Piano” by Australian composer Gordon Kerry, commissioned by Julian Burnside and finished with Brahms’ Horn Trio. Llewellyn Hall, 7pm, Wednesday, June 9, book here.

THE Song Company performs “Burden Of Truth”, the a cappella world première of Gavin Bryars’ new 32-part, choral anniversary version of his classic, “Jesus’ Blood Never Failed Me Yet”, along with a new 25-part choral motet, “Transiens”, by the company’s artistic director Antony Pitts, based on the music of the “Eton Choirbook” and inspired by a road trip from Uluru to Kakadu early in 2020. Canberra’s Oriana Chorale will feature. Albert Hall, 7pm, June 10. Book here.