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Wata: a gathering for songmen, improvising soloists and orchestra

Soul of Australia

In one of the most innovative and energising works for 2024, composer and pianist Paul Grabowsky brings the Sydney Symphony Orchestra and Yolŋu songmen Daniel Ngukurr Boy Wilfred and David Yipininy Wilfred together in a work that celebrates the musical traditions of the Ngukurr people in Arnhem Land.

Concert Hall, Sydney Opera House
  • Wed 24 Jul, 2024, 7:00pm Wed 24 July, 2024, 7:00pm
Venue
Concert Hall, Sydney Opera House
Adult tickets from $40, concessions available
Reserve Premium A B C
Adult AdultPremium$79.00
A$69.00
B$59.00
C$40.00
Student StudentPremium-
A$48.00
B$45.00
C-
Pensioner PensionerPremium-
A$63.00
B$55.00
C-
Under 35 AdultUnder 35-
A$59.00
B$50.00
C-
Child ChildPremium$65.00
A$43.00
B$40.00
C-
*Booking fee of $8.95 may apply

Duration

The concert will end at approximately 8:20pm. Latecomers might be admitted during a suitable break in the performance and will be guided to first available seats.

Pre-Concert

Join us for the pre-concert talk 45 minutes before the performance in the Northern Foyer, with Megan Steller, including an interview with Paul Grabowsky and conductor Benjamin Northey.

Concert Guide

Behind every great piece is a great story. Have a read through the concert guide to get all the details.

READ THE GUIDE

Wata means many things: it is a part of a ceremonial song cycle, part of the manikay (public song) tradition of the Ngukurr people. It is also a purification ritual, a song of new beginnings, of release, of flight, and connection to land, ancestry and hope for the future.

With complex patterns of yidaki and bilma forming the building blocks, musicians of the Sydney Symphony and guest improvising soloists weave in and out of the songs led by Daniel Wilfred and David Wilfred, guided by Grabowsky’s powerful orchestration.

Wata is an invitation to experience a new form of musical collaboration within the manikay tradition, inside the Sydney Opera House Concert Hall. It’s exciting, invigorating and spontaneous. Come experience the expansive warmth and astonishing musicality of Wata. It’s totally life affirming.

Program

Wata: A Gathering for Manikay Performers, Improvising Soloists and Orchestra
Composed by Paul Grabowsky for a Wägiluk Djuwalpada Manikay shared and performed by Daniel Ngukurr Boy Wilfred (voice and bilma) and David Yipininy Wilfred (yidaki)

Artists

BENJAMIN NORTHEY conductor
PAUL GRABOWSKY director / piano
DANIEL NGUKURR BOY WILFRED vocals and bilma
DAVID YIPININY WILFRED yidaki
ERKKI VELTHEIM violin
HELEN SVOBODA double bass
PETER KNIGHT trumpet and electronics
AVIVA ENDEAN bass clarinet

This performance has been generously supported by the Oranges & Sardines Foundation.

*Terms and conditions may apply.

Read the Terms & Conditions