Sunday, 12 October 2008 05:00pm

This week on Sunday Arts Michael Veitch meets violinist and conductor Andre Riéu; Virginia Trioli speaks with the politically-charged John Doyle; and Chris McAuliffe investigates the trend of environmentally conscious art.

Andre Riéu
Andre Riéu is a Dutch violinist and a conductor who has enjoyed enormous success, particularly in Australia where he has sold over a million recordings. Last year after his first visit to Australia, Riéu had a record nine DVDs in the top 10 ARIA DVD chart. His live performances are quite extravagant and include his Strauss Orchestra and Choir, the Platinum Tenors, dancers from the Vienna State Opera Ballet, and the Vienna Figure Skating Association. Riéu will be undertaking an Australian tour covering Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Adelaide and Perth from November 15 to December 4. He will also be guest-editing the November edition of Limelight magazine.

John Doyle
John Doyle could be considered a national treasure in his guise as 'Rampaging' Roy Slaven, co-host of triple j's 'This Sporting Life' with his broadcast partner of more than 20 years, HG Nelson. Since 2000, Doyle's been determinedly building up credits as a writer of drama, first with the award-winning TV series, Changi (2001), and shortly after with the equally successful Marking Time (2003). Doyle has written his first play, The Pig Iron People, which will be staged by the Sydney Theatre Company with a cast including Jacki Weaver, Max Cullen and Judi Farr. The Pig Iron People will be performed at the Sydney Opera House from October 27 until December 6. Doyle is also about to appear on ABC TV again with Tim Flannery. This time the pair is exploring the north of Australia in the six-part series, Two in the Top End, which starts September 16.

Climate Change
It's the new black at art galleries around the globe. The latest gallery trend is to feature art which has been inspired by the very serious issues of sustainability and climate change. Artists who have been flown to the arctic for inspiration; performers who recreate the smell of the Murray River; and sound artists who sample the sound of the polar caps melting. Does it help or hinder when artists decide to climb up onto the soap box and try and change the world? And what can artists hope to add to a topic that receives such extensive coverage in the media? Chris McAuliffe investigates at Heat: Art and Climate Change which is on at Melbourne's RMIT Gallery until October 18.

Sunday Arts will be repeated on ABC2 – Sunday, October 12 at 7:30pm