Celebrating 40 years of extraordinary music-making and the premiere of "Vespers for Mother Earth"

Join us in celebrating The Song Company's 40th Anniversary with a musical event like no other—the world premiere of "Vespers for Mother Earth", an astonishing composition by beloved composer Ross Edwards. Joining them on stage in this historic performance at the prestigious City Recital Hall is an eclectic array of instrumental forces, including the groundbreaking Ensemble Offspring, Genevieve Lang (harp), Julian Smiles (cello), Lu Liu (pipa) and Lindsay Dugan (shakuhachi).

Inspired by Monteverdi's masterpiece "Vespero della Beata Vergine", Edwards ingeniously weaves symbols of day and night into a profound contemplation on the pressing ecological crisis of our time. It symbolises both a farewell to humanity's destructive dominance and the dawn of a new era — a rekindling of the sacred feminine principle, embodied by the night.

In an eagerly anticipated moment, long-term Artistic Director of The Song Company Roland Peelman returns to direct after a nine-year absence. His masterful guidance ensures this performance will be a true testament to our 40-year journey of excellence. 

The program's first half is a celebration of our rich history of collaborations with luminaries of Australian music, including Peter Sculthorpe, Elena Kats-Chernin and Katy Abbott. We also look to the future, showcasing the next generation of composers, including Alice Chance and Sonya Hollowell, and a captivating new work by Angus Davison.

Discount for group bookings now available.

Guest Director: Roland Peelman

ENSEMBLE /

Susannah Lawergren, Amy Moore, Jessica O'Donoghue, Hannah Fraser, Timothy Reynolds, Louis Hurley, Hayden Barrington, Andrew O'Connor

*joining for Vespers for Mother Earth

IN COLLABORATION WITH /

Ensemble Offspring

INSTRUMENTALISTS

Lamorna Nightingale, Flute
James Nightingale, Alto Saxophone
Fletcher Cox, Trumpet
Nigel Crocker, Trombone
Lindsay Dugan, Shakuhachi
Matthew Doyle, Didjeridu
Lu Liu, Pipa
Genevieve Lang, Harp
Julian Smiles, Cello
Claire Edwardes, Percussion
Bree van Reyk, Percussion

GUEST DIRECTOR /

Roland Peelman

VESPERS FOR MOTHER EARTH

1st Half 
Peter Sculthorpe: The Stars Turn 
Andrew Ford: At Night on the Beach
Katy Abbott: Flying

Pelle Gudmundsen-Holmgreen: Bats’ Ultrasound
Stuart Greenbaum: A Cicada in the Blackbird’s Beak 
Andrew Ford: Hear the Bird of Day

Elena Kats-Chernin: Mater
Sonya Holowell: Become Like Children 
Alice Chance: Untitled

Angus Davison: Lime Song (World Première)
Raffaele MarcellinoL Memory
Martin Wesley-Smith: Who Stopped the Rain?

2nd Half
Ross Edwards: Vespers for Mother Earth (World Première)

CONCERT PROGRAM PDF

Tour Details

Accessibility

Wheelchair Access

Dates & Times

Sydney – City Recital Hall Sun 23 June 2024 - 3:00 pm

Tickets

Full (A reserve) $110.00
Full (B reserve) $95.00
Full (C reserve) $80.00
Senior (A reserve) $100.00
Senior (B reserve) $85.00
Senior (C reserve) $70.00
Concession/<35 (B reserve) $50.00
Concession/<35 (C reserve) $30.00
Group Bookings >10 (Premium) $100.00
Group Booking >10 (A Reserve) $90.00
Group Booking >10 (B Reserve) $75.00
Group Boooking >10 C Reserve $60.00

Location

City Recital Hall

2 Angel Pl, Sydney NSW 2000

Get directions