Australia’s internationally renowned children’s choir, Gondwana Voices, is delighted to be joining forces with this major orchestra as Ensemble in Residence, in what is a first for a children’s choir in this country.
The choir will perform in two works with under Chief Conductor Jaíme Martin – the first, Benjamin Britten’s ‘War Requiem’ in April, followed by Brett Dean’s ‘Vexations and Devotions’ in July.
Founded by Lyn Williams AM in 1997, Gondwana Voices is Australia’s national children’s choir for exceptional treble singers aged 10-17. Selected for the quality of their voices as well as their high level of musicianship, choristers come from across Australia, from the cities, the suburbs and the bush. Auditioned annually, they come together for intensive seasons to perform captivating and challenging music. Brett Dean’s Vexations and Devotions is a milestone work in Gondwana Voices’ repertoire and was first performed by the choir at the Perth Festival in 2006.
The choir subsequently performed ‘Vexations’ at the BBC Proms in 2007, the first Australian children’s choir to perform at the festival. In 2019, Gondwana Voices was invited to perform the work with the Berlin Radio Symphony Orchestra under maestro Vladimir Jurowksi at the Berlin Philharmonie. Artistic Director & Founder, Lyn Williams AM writes: ‘We are thrilled to be invited Ensemble in Residence with the MSO in 2023. We have performed Brett Dean’s Vexations with orchestras around the world. It is a great honour to be the first children’s choir announced as Ensemble in Residence with a major Australian orchestra.’
Britten’s War Requiem
14 & 15 April 2023
Hamer Hall, Arts Centre Melbourne
Book tickets here.
Berlioz’s Symphonie Fantastique
14 & 15 July 2023
Hamer Hall, Arts Centre Melbourne
Book tickets here.
