INTO THE HEART
2021 Season
INTO THE HEART
With COVID affecting the ability to gather together and move interstate, The Song Company has created a 2021 season that is as nimble and transformative in as positive a way as the virus is negative.
FRANCIS GREEP General Manager & Associate Artistic Director
Three MAINSTAGE shows across the season, each reaching deep into the heart: Burden of Truth, Arms of Love, and Songs From The Heart. Starting the season is our ENSEMBLE ARTIST PROGRAM for talented, early-career artists, with two contrasting SALON programs, Dances of Passion and Byrd Underground. And our successful CLOSE-UP series continues throughout the year, focusing on the individual artists who make up The Song Company, Australia’s only national professional vocal ensemble. Read on for a wealth of wonderful music and magical singing.
ANTONY PITTS Artistic Director Images: Christoper Hayles
EXPLORE OUR SEASON Antony Pitts introduces INTO THE HEART – The Song Company’s 2021 Season.
PRINCIPAL ARTISTS Amy Moore, soprano Chloe Lankshear, soprano Roberta Diamond, soprano Jessica O’Donoghue, mezzo soprano Dan Walker, tenor Koen van Stade, tenor Thomas Flint, bass 2021 ENSEMBLE ARTISTS Janine Harris, mezzo soprano Ethan Taylor, tenor Hayden Barrington, baritone
the.song.company/into-the-heart
MA IN STAGE
Large ensemble offerings of both early and contemporary music that highlight the musical excellence and adventurous programming of The Song Company.
SA LON
Projects designed for intimate settings, exploring familiar repertoire in new ways. This year our Salons highlight the Ensemble Artists, Australia’s next generation of outstanding singers.
Recitals that unlock rarely-heard repertoire and featuring the company’s extraordinary Artists in partnership with the Artistic Director, Associate Artistic Director and external collaborative leaders.
SONG CO L AB
Part of The Song Company’s educational outreach since 2017, SongCo LAB workshops and masterclasses are a unique opportunity to work with the company’s Artists to develop your knowledge of repertoire and ensemble singing.
MA IN STAGE
BURDEN OF TRUTH
the.song.company/burden-of-truth
50 years ago, English composer Gavin Bryars was struck by a tape loop of a homeless person singing a fragment of a hymn tune. He added harmonies and instruments and created Jesus’ Blood Never Failed Me Yet – a hypnotic piece that has gained a cult following around the world. In 2021, The Song Company performs the world première of Bryars’ new 32-part choral version. In 2020, Antony Pitts took a road journey from Uluru, northwards to Kakadu and the coast, that inspired the creation of a new 25-part choral motet, Transiens, based on the glorious music of the Eton Choirbook. PROGRAM Gavin Bryars Jesus’ Blood Never Failed Me Yet* Antony Pitts after Robert Wylkynson Transiens* THE SONG COMPANY PARTNER ENSEMBLES Trinity College Melbourne Students from the Sydney Conservatorium High School Members of Sydney Philharmonia VOX The SongCo Chorale | The Oriana Chorale, Canberra *World Première Performances SYDNEY
MELBOURNE
FRI 21 MAY
7.30PM St Michael’s Church, Melbourne
SAT 22 MAY
3PM
Trinity College Chapel CANBERRA
THU 10 JUN
Albert Hall, Yarralumla
7PM
FRI 28 MAY 7PM SAT 29 MAY 3PM
The Cell Block Theatre, National Art School
MA IN STAGE
ARMS OF LOVE
the.song.company/arms-of-love
A baroque masterpiece interleaved with a major brand-new commission setting texts by Behrouz Boochani, brought to life by the much-praised choreography of the cutting-edge contemporary Indigenous dance company, Karul Projects, and performed by five of Australia’s most impressive singers. Don’t wait to buy tickets to 2021’s hottest event. PROGRAM Dietrich Buxtehude Membra Jesu Nostri Chris Williams I pray the sea* THE SONG COMPANY Chloe Lankshear, Amy Moore, Steph Dillon, Robert Macfarlane, Thomas Flint Thomas E.S. Kelly Dancer/Choreography Robert Macfarlane Director Antony Pitts Conductor *World Première Performances I pray the sea commission made possible by the Silo Collective
WOLLONGONG
CANBERRA
SUN 8 AUG
7PM
Wollongong Town Hall CASULA
WED 11 AUG Casula Arts Centre
Newcastle City Hall
Ainslie Arts Centre
7PM
SYDNEY 7.30PM
NEWCASTLE
FRI 13 AUG
MON 9 AUG THU 12 AUG
7PM The Cell Block Theatre, National Art School MELBOURNE
7PM
THU 19 AUG Abbotsford Convent
7PM
MA IN STAGE
SONGS FROM THE HEART
the.song.company/songs-from-the-heart
The Song Company is proud to continue its relationship with First Nations’ composers Sonya Holowell and Elizabeth Sheppard. In Songs From The Heart, Elizabeth and Sonya will co-create with us a new a cappella program that is a musical reaction to, and exploration of, the Uluru Statement from the Heart. Songs From The Heart embraces all that The Song Company is renowned for – exciting and meaningful collaborations that build the cultural capital of Australia through both the commissioning process and the performances. PROGRAM New works by: Elizabeth Sheppard Sonya Holowell THE SONG COMPANY Antony Pitts Conductor If you would like to support the commissioning of Elizabeth and Sonya in this major new project, please click here
SYDNEY | PARRAMATTA | WOLLONGONG | NEWCASTLE | CANBERRA
OCTOBER 2021 TICKETS ON SALE 1 MAY
SA LON
DANCES OF PASSION
Australia’s most exciting young singers reinvent the recital experience with flare and drama. Music by Granados, Juliana Hall and Brahms Roberta Diamond, Janine Harris Ethan Taylor, Hayden Barrington Francis Greep Piano & Music Director Antony Pitts Piano Robert Macfarlane Director WOLLONGONG
WED 10 MAR
Church on The Mall
NEWCASTLE
7PM
SYDNEY
FRI 19 MAR
The Cell Block Theatre
TUE 16 MAR Newcastle City Hall
7PM
CANBERRA
7PM
SAT 20 MAR
The Street Theatre
7PM
the.song.company/dances-of-passion
SA LON
BYRD UNDERGROUND
The exquisite polyphony of the 16th Century from the Dow Partbooks returns to the incredible acoustics of St Mary’s Crypt for one night only. Janine Harris, Ethan Taylor, Elias Wilson, Hayden Barrington Antony Pitts Director With Amy Moore, Roberta Diamond, Ed Elias
SYDNEY
FRI 23 APR
7PM St Mary’s Cathedral Crypt the.song.company/byrd-underground
BOOK OF TRAVELERS
Two song cycles from either end of Art Song History performed by two of Australia’s most exciting young voices. Beethoven An die ferne Geliebter Gabriel Kahane Book of Travelers Ben Moore Theatre Songs Ethan Taylor Tenor Hayden Barrington Baritone Francis Greep Piano
NEWCASTLE
WOLLONGONG
SAT 6 FEB
Church on The Mall
3PM
SUN 7 FEB
3PM Adamstown Uniting Church the.song.company/book-of-travelers
CHANT D’AMOUR ET DE MORT
Radical 20th-century French composer Olivier Messian’s obsession with the transformative qualties of music and its power to connect the human soul with distant mysteries of the universe is channelled into his epic song cycle, Harawi
Amy Moore Soprano Antony Pitts Piano
SYDNEY
SAT 14 FEB
Mosman Art Gallery
3PM the.song.company/chant-damour-et-de-mort
DICHTERLIEBE REIMAGINED
Principal Artist Koen van Stade and Guest Artist Neal Peres Da Costa explore the world of 19th-century vocalism in this lecture recital that culminates with a performance of Schumann’s mighty song cycle Dichterliebe (Poet’s Love). These two leading scholar/performers provide insights into how Dichterliebe might have sounded in the decades immediately following its composition, including using a rebuilt 19th-century grand piano. Koen van Stade Tenor Neal Peres Da Costa Piano SYDNEY
SAT 26 JUN
6PM SYDNEY CONSERVATORIUM OF MUSIC the.song.company/dichterliebe-reimagined
MODERN MAIDEN
Rising soprano and Principal Artist of The Song Company Chloe Lankshear collaborates with Associate Artistic Director Francis Greep in this program revealing songs and poetry by 19th- and 20th-century women. Further details to be released 19 April.
Chloe Lankshear Soprano Francis Greep Piano SYDNEY | CANBERRA | BLACKHEATH
JUNE 2021
TICKETS ON SALE 19 APRIL
RISE UP
An acoustic version of Jessica O’Donoghue’s latest album of original works, featuring mediaeval melodies, Middle Eastern rhythms and percussion, dense vocal harmonies and lush string and synth layers. Complete with a full length film, this promises to be an immersive and multi-disciplinary show exploring pop and art music and all the spaces in-between. Jessica O’Donoghue Mezzo Soprano Jess Ciampa Percussion
SYDNEY | WOLLONGONG | NEWCASTLE
NOVEMBER 2021 TICKETS ON SALE 1 MAY
SONG CO L AB
SongCo LAB 2021
Prepare yourself for a four days of wonderful music and masterclasses and workshops by: Amy Moore Principal Artist & in-demand Soloist Sonya Holowell Composer Michael Black Chorus Master, Chicago Lyric Opera Koen van Stade Principal Artist, Scholar and Soloist Antony Pitts TSC Artistic Director& Composer Francis Greep TSC Associate Artistic Director & Vocal Coach As well as daily Small Ensemble led by The Song Company Ensemble Artists. DAY PASSES AVAILABLE FOR OBSERVERS SYDNEY
TUE 6 - FRI 9 APRIL
10am-4:30pm daily THE SONG COMPANY REHEARSAL STUDIO, WALSH BAY the.song.company/songco-lab
IN-CAMERA The Song Company continues 35 years of innovation by creating In-Camera, a new built-for-purpose digital platform that brings together Australia’s finest artists and creatives in new digital collaborations. In-Camera is where bespoke programs and streaming events are accessed, offering subscriber and additional pay-per-view content to audiences across the country and the world. In-Camera is also home to SongCo LAB, our reimagined outreach module that gives teachers, students, professionals and community organisations new digital resources to explore of vocal repertoire from across the centuries. Take out a Digital Membership today and immediately unlock a wealth of songs and ensemble music to watch and listen at your leisure, as many times as you wish.
the.song.company/membership-options
NOW STREAMING
THE SONG COMPANY : CLOSE-UP
ESPERAR, SENTIR, MORIR SONGS FROM THE IBERIAN PENINSULA ROBERTA DIAMOND, soprano HANNAH LANE, baroque triple harp
ENSEMBLE ARTISTS
Above: Janine Harris & Ethan Taylor image Robert Catto Below: Principal Artist Roberta Diamond & Hayden Barrington image Peter Hislop
Where does a talented young singer find the practical experience necessary to develop their craft? What professional opportunities exist in Australia for early-career musicians with a love of classical ensemble singing? Who is training the next generation of Australian vocal artists? Until recently, there were no professional development programs in Australia for non-operatic singers. Now, for the first time, The Song Company offers artists with exceptional potential a bespoke opportunity and commitment to develop their craft, collaborating alongside the finest professional musicians in the country. Traditionally, Australian singers with a passion for ensemble, early and contemporary music had to travel overseas for specialised post-University training. The ever-increasing cost of post-graduate courses, coupled with the new reality of travel restrictions, means however, that the next generation of professional musicians will be searching in Australia for alternatives to develop the skills necessary for a professional career. The Song Company’s Ensemble Artist Program is an exciting new initiative that fills this need – a professional development program for the next generation of Australian vocal artists. To support the Ensemble Artist program, please contact Francis Greep on 02 9156 2781 or francis.greep@song.company
SUPPORT
Above: Messiah Part 1, December 2020 Steph Dillon, Dan Walker, Hayden Barrington image Christoper Hayles Next Page: Circle of Virtue, December 2020 Top: Pip Dracakis & Jessica O’Donoghue image Christoper Hayles Lower: Roberta Diamond image Christoper Hayles
The Song Company creates and fosters opportunities for aspiring, emerging, and established singers and composers in Australia, providing vital nourishment to the Australian cultural landscape. In 2020, the company was one of the first to resume live performance after the 2020 COVID lockdown, delivering a range of new programs in Bathurst, Canberra, Newcastle, Wollongong and Sydney. We are immensely grateful to those who have made financial contributions and therefore play an integral role in the creative life of The Song Company. Thank you to all of our donors who supported us during 2020 and this period of uncertainty. Become a donor of The Song Company today and support “one of the bravest ensembles around.” the.song.company/supporters
2021 CALENDAR FEBRUARY Book of Travelers Chant d’amour et de mort Esperar, Sentir, Morir MARCH Dances of Passion APRIL SongCo LAB MAY Byrd Underground Burden of Truth JUNE Burden of Truth Modern Maiden Dichterliebe Reimagined AUGUST Arms of Love OCTOBER Songs From The Heart NOVEMBER Rise Up More performances/projects are planned to be added throughout the year
the.song.company/projects
PURCHASE TICKETS
We will be updating our live ticket offering throughout April and May. Please check the website or the latest COUNTERPOINT newsletter to keep up-to-date with what’s on sale. Tickets links can be found on the program pages on our website the.song.company/buy-now You can also purchase tickets by calling our office on (02) 9156 2781. NOTE: Until late April, it is only possible to buy tickets to one event at a time. Please bear with us as new functionality is added to the system in the coming weeks.
PRAISE FOR THE SONG COMPANY “...The utmost clarity of musical purpose and diction.”
Leadership - 150 Psalms Adelaide Festival (Limelight Magazine, March 2020)
“Enchanting and enlightening”
Esperar, Sentir, Morir (Sydney Morning Herald, October 2020)
1/2 “Sung with nuance and flare by two very capable young singers”
Book of Travelers (Limelight Magazine, December 2020)
The Song Company 15 Hickson Road, Dawes Point NSW 2000 T (02) 9156 2781 E mail@song.company
ABN 27 001 577 377
The Song Company PTY LTD trading as The Song Company is a non-profit organisation registered as a company of limited guarantee