Sydney Symphony Orchestra
Ngapa William Cooper
City Recital Hall
2 Angel Pl
May 23, 2024
7:00 PM GMT+10
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About this concert
A rich new collaboration between composer Nigel Westlake, singer/songwriter Lior and language activist Lou Bennett, Ngapa William Cooper is a tribute to the life of Yorta Yorta activist William Cooper.
‘A work of both outstanding musical quality and extraordinary cultural significance.’ – Limelight
In 1938, Cooper, an Aboriginal activist who played a pivotal role in establishing equal rights for Aboriginal Australians, led one of the most striking Australian responses to the events of Kristallnacht in Nazi Germany. This new work is a way of preserving and promoting his legacy and bringing to light this remarkable act of compassion.
Ngapa William Cooper combines Westlake’s signature rich musical palette with moving vocals from Lior and Bennett. Sung in English and Yorta Yorta language, this powerful story celebrates a man who left behind a legacy of resistance, solidarity and empathy.
PROGRAM
ARVO PÄRT Cantus in Memoriam Benjamin Britten
NIGEL WESTLAKE Trumpet Concerto
NIGEL WESTLAKE, LIOR, LOU BENNETT, SARAH GORY Ngapa William Cooper
ARTISTS
NIGEL WESTLAKE conductor
LIOR vocals
LOU BENNETT vocals
ANDREA LAM piano
BRENT GRAPES trumpet
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About the venue
City Recital Hall is a purpose-built live performance venue with world-class acoustics located in the heart of Sydney’s CBD.
City Recital Hall presents a curated program...
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Sydney Symphony Orchestra Biography
The Sydney Symphony Orchestra is one of the world’s finest orchestras, founded in 1932 by the Australian Broadcasting Commission.
Resident at the iconic Sydney Opera House, the Orchestra’s concerts encompass masterpieces from the classical repertoire, music by some of the finest living composers, and collaborations with guest artists from all genres, reflecting the Orchestra's versatility and diverse appeal.
Australian-born Simone Young commenced her role as Chief Conductor in 2022, the Orchestra’s 90th year.
The Sydney Symphony Orchestra also performs in venues throughout Sydney and regional New South Wales, and international tours to Europe, Asia and the USA have earned the Orchestra worldwide recognition for artistic excellence.
The Orchestra’s first chief conductor was Sir Eugene Goossens, appointed in 1947; he was followed by Nicolai Malko, Dean Dixon, Moshe Atzmon, Willem van Otterloo, Louis Frémaux, Sir Charles Mackerras, Zdenêk Mácal, Stuart Challender, Edo de Waart and Gianluigi Gelmetti. Vladimir Ashkenazy was Principal Conductor from 2009 to 2013, followed by David Robertson as Chief Conductor from 2014 to 2019.
The Sydney Symphony Orchestra is committed to the future of live symphonic music, and the Orchestra promotes the work of Australian composers through performances, recordings and its commissioning program.
Read MoreResident at the iconic Sydney Opera House, the Orchestra’s concerts encompass masterpieces from the classical repertoire, music by some of the finest living composers, and collaborations with guest artists from all genres, reflecting the Orchestra's versatility and diverse appeal.
Australian-born Simone Young commenced her role as Chief Conductor in 2022, the Orchestra’s 90th year.
The Sydney Symphony Orchestra also performs in venues throughout Sydney and regional New South Wales, and international tours to Europe, Asia and the USA have earned the Orchestra worldwide recognition for artistic excellence.
The Orchestra’s first chief conductor was Sir Eugene Goossens, appointed in 1947; he was followed by Nicolai Malko, Dean Dixon, Moshe Atzmon, Willem van Otterloo, Louis Frémaux, Sir Charles Mackerras, Zdenêk Mácal, Stuart Challender, Edo de Waart and Gianluigi Gelmetti. Vladimir Ashkenazy was Principal Conductor from 2009 to 2013, followed by David Robertson as Chief Conductor from 2014 to 2019.
The Sydney Symphony Orchestra is committed to the future of live symphonic music, and the Orchestra promotes the work of Australian composers through performances, recordings and its commissioning program.
Classical
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