At the end of this performance many concert goers took away with them a deep sense of calm and tranquility and even spirituality. To start we heard Tarimini Nulay- Long Time Living Here – Acknowledgement To Country – from the heart of the oldest civilization in the world. Barber and Faure took us to the twentieth century’s iteration of humankind’s search for meaning and consolation .

John Petersons “Shadows and Light ” written in the aftermath of 9.11, reminds us of the spiritual wreckage man/woman continually wreaks upon itself. Samuel Barber’s Adagio for Strings its balm. And in the Requiem, surprisingly written by almost agnostic Gabrielle Faure ,we are given refuge .. 

The Sydney Philharmonia Choir was superb.  Simon Rattle gave it world class recognition when at the BBC proms he chose it for the chorale of Mahler’s Eighth Symphony. Complemented by the Sydney Philharmonia Orchestra, and ably conducted by Elizabeth Scott , Choir and orchestra danced in harmonic interplay with the two mingling over and under each in a dynamic  fluidity . Special guest soloists Chloe Lankshear, Andrew Goodwin and Andrew O’Connor added  a special dimension.The Sydney Town Hall , more than one hundred and fifty years old and recently restored to its former glory,  provided a near perfect acoustic auditorium. The stage was at times bathed in a golden light reflecting the deep reddish brown of the cellos, and highlighting the brass  horns and the magnificent gold harp. At the back, the Choirs massed in black, added a majesty to the visual experience.

It all made for a wonderful combination of sight and sound to welcome in Easter at Sydney in 2024.

Production photos by Simon Crossley-Meates