The 2005 festival theme is "Transcendence and Transformation," with a special geographical emphasis on the Indian Ocean as the element connecting Perth to Asian and Africa.

The festival's music programming, which covers classical, jazz, and contemporary music, includes such performers as the Kronos Quartet, the Australian Chamber Orchestra, and North Indian classical music-master Rashid Khan.

There will also be performances of Time's Arrow, a work by Australian composer Stuart Greenbaum, based on the Martin Amis novel of the same name; Morton Feldman's choral work Rothko Chapel; and both the St. Matthew Passion, by Bach, and Tan Dun's response, Water Passion After St. Matthew.

Dance events include performances by the American troupe Momix, the Australian company co.loaded, and the West Australian Ballet performing a work by Finnish choreographer Jorma Uotinen.

The Perth Festival is in its 52nd year.