Five hundred arts and culture lovers joined the Lord Mayor of Melbourne, Robert Doyle and Melbourne Festival President, Carrillo Gantner AO to hear details of 18 world premieres and 34 Australian premieres in a program of 77 shows, events and projects over 17 days. Exploring the threads of 'identity' and 'place', this year's program features works from some of the finest Australian and international artists, many of whom Brett has worked with over the past decade.