Sydney Philharmonia Choirs Presents WONDER

Sydney Philharmonia Choirs return to Sydney Opera House in March, presenting two intimate acapella concerts in the elegant Utzon Room, set against the backdrop of Sydney Harbour.

Wonder explores the timeless theme of the fleeting nature of childhood in a program of contemporary works, performed by the Philharmonia's renowned young adult choir, VOX.

Directed and conducted by one of Australia's most in demand choral experts, Elizabeth Scott, it's a program of exquisite music, that will speak to every one of us, whether we have children in our lives or are simply prompted to recall our own innocent beginnings.

Anchoring the program are songs of loss: the sombre intensity of Nigel Westlake's Requiem, for his son Eli; James MacMillan's tender A Child's Prayer, in memory of the children killed in the Dunblane massacre; Eric Whitacre's desperately sad When David Heard, dedicated to a friend who had lost a son; and Sting's Fragile. This music becomes even more poignant when sung by young voices, and yet there is solace and consolation in the luminous beauty of their sound.

As in life, there is joy and humour too: with John Rutter's nursery rhymes and nonsense poems; highlights from Martin Wesley-Smith's witty, environmentally aware Who Killed c*ckRobin?; and Stevie Wonder's Isn't She Lovely, celebrating the birth of his daughter.

The themes are timeless, but this is a concert for today: a showcase of music by living composers, vividly expressed in the raw beauty and emotional power of young voices in harmony.

Book now for this unique concert performance, 5pm Saturday March 23 and 2pm Sunday March 24, Sydney Opera House Utzon Room, sydneyphilharmonia.com.au/ or sydneyoperahouse.com/events/whats-on/SydneyPhiliharmoniaChoirs/2019/wonder.html

PROGRAM

Nigel WESTLAKE Nasce la gioia mia (My joy is born)

Karl JENKINS I'll Make Music

Karl JENKINS And the Mother did weep

James MACMILLAN A Child's Prayer

John RUTTER Five Childhood Lyrics

Martin WESLEY-SMITH Who Stopped the Rain?

Martin WESLEY-SMITH Highlights from Who Killed c*ckRobin?

Eric Whitacre When David Heard

STING Fragile (arr. Carl Crossin)

Stevie Wonder Isn't She Lovely (arr. The Idea of North)