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players, but the opportunity to write for a full orchestra doesn’t come along too often. “Usually if you get a commission rarely more than three to five minutes … It’s really bold by the CSO to say ‘let’s have a major work.” The Canberra Symphony Orchestra’s Classic Afternoon will be performed at Llewellyn Hall, ANU, 19 June 2pm; cso.org.au - Denholm Samaras
Head of the ANU School of Music, Kim Cunio, has composed a new work, CO2 and the Ice Core, that will be premiered at the CSO Classic Afternoon on Saturday 19 June. Photo: Kerrie Brewer.
That’s arts and entertainment The elements reign supreme at CSO Classic Afternoon
While it won’t be a disco-infused boogie wonderland when the Canberra Symphony Orchestra explore earth, wind and fire in their upcoming Classic Afternoon, the music will be of a standard befitting the legendary outfit. The elements of earth, wind, air, and fire will be unpacked through four pieces in a dynamic program directed by Concertmaster, Kristen Williams. The Orchestra will take to the sky with Vaughan Williams’ The Lark Ascending, before diving into the tempestuous waters of Welsh composer Grace Williams’ Sea Sketches, and bristling with Haydn’s spirited Fire symphony. The element of earth takes on new meaning and urgency with a commission from head of the ANU School of Music, Kim Cunio, titled CO2 and the Ice Core. Cunio told Canberra Weekly he was asked by the CSO to compose a work relating to the most pressing issue of social justice to him, which is climate change. 36
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“Like all of us, climate change is such a big thing, right; we’ve got this sleeping cliff we’re about to fall over,” he said. “I just kept thinking … What’s the role of art, is it possible for art to aid this thing and make us think about it.” With a significant research element behind it, CO2 and the Ice Core is centred on recordings of gas escaping 180,000 yearold Antarctic ice, and coal being ground in modern India. “It’s like this visceral sound informing our whole lives has become the data for a piece of music,” he said. “It’s actually a bit of an experiment for me … A lot of my music has a research component but it’s not quite like this.” Running at approximately 20 minutes, Cunio praised the CSO for giving him the opportunity to create a piece of such length – it’s been three years since he last composed a major orchestral work of this scale. “I’m immensely excited; for composers, it’s not so hard to write something for one player or four
Centenary of iconic comic strip celebrated
The Royal Australian Mint is marking a century of one of Australia’s most iconic comic strips, Ginger Meggs, with a brandnew exhibition. Mint CEO Leigh Gordon noted that since first appearing in the Sun Herald in 1921, Ginger Meggs has been brought into the lives of families across Australia and the world. “The exhibition will excite a sense of nostalgia in collectors and Ginger Meggs fans alike,” he said. Capturing the life and times of the lovable redhead, the exhibition features cartoon strips from the original 1921 comics created by Jimmy Bancks, as well as current cartoons drawn by Jason Chatfield. Mr Chatfield notes that Ginger Meggs epitomises the quintessential Aussie larrikin spirit, which has allowed him to thrive for a century. “It is a great honour to have my work and the work of Ginger
Meggs’ original creator, Jimmy Bancks, immortalised on these coins.” Ginger Meggs: 100 Years of Adventure is on display at the Royal Australian Mint, Deakin until 21 November; ramint.gov.au
to come to Canberra next month
As part of the 25th anniversary of its national touring program, Opera Australia is bringing an exciting new production of Bizet’s Carmen, by director Matthew Barclay, to the Canberra Theatre Centre this July. This new production of the Bizet classic is set in Franco’s socially conservative 1950s Spain and follows the ill-fated relationship of a free-spirited gypsy woman, the fiery Carmen, and the passionate and ultimately destructive police corporal-turned-rebel, Don José. Barclay said he hopes this production enables newcomers to “fall in love with the opera”. “Carmen really has it all, some of opera’s greatest music and most famous tunes, Spanish flair, passion, tragedy and a truly enigmatic character in Carmen, but above all it’s about love,” he said. The tour also provides an opportunity for local Canberra children to experience this traditional art form with a professional company, by participating in the children’s chorus. Carmen will be performed at the Canberra Theatre Centre, 8-10 July; canberratheatrecentre.com.au
Opera Australia is bringing an exciting new production of Bizet’s Carmen, by director Matthew Barclay, to the Canberra Theatre Centre this July. Photo supplied.
