Taken from The Song Company website

The world premiere of a major new work by Australia's most beloved composer performed by the country's finest singers and instrumentalists

Sunday 23 June, 3pm
40th Anniversary Gala Concert
Sydney – City Recital Hall

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, Nigel Butterly 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.