Dates
Friday 28 March 2025
7:30pm at Hamer Hall
Saturday 29 March 2025
7:30pm at Hamer Hall
Program
Brenda Gifford Biwaawa^
Christopher Sainsbury Guwara^
Adam Manning Hot Season**
Aaron Wyatt Djeran^
James Henry* Warrin^
William Barton Elements of the Earth^
Vivaldi The Four Seasons
*Cybec First Nations Composer in Residence
**World Premiere
^Originally commissioned by Melbourne String Ensemble
Birdsong, thunderstorms and fireworks
Vivaldi’s Four Seasons evocatively depicts birdsong, violent thunderstorms, and crackling winter fires, with plenty of fireworks along the way.
Led by James Ehnes, this evergreen showpiece for violin and orchestra is matched with works for string ensemble to explore the First Nations perspective on the passing of the year curated by Noongar man Aaron Wyatt.
Featuring
Melbourne Symphony Orchestra
Leonard Weiss conductor
Aaron Wyatt curator
James Ehnes^ director / violin
^2025 Artist in Residence
The Seasons Project
The Seasons Project invites listeners to deepen their connections with Country and culture. Conceived in 2021 with the aim of broadening our understanding and representation of First Nations seasons, the project commissions new works informed by the seasonal knowledges of First Nations communities and artists from across Australia. These works are curated within performance and education programs.
The Seasons Project premiered in 2022 with a collection of compositions that articulate a First Nations season for string orchestra, composed by First Nation’s artists. These compositions were paired in performance with Vivaldi’s Four Seasons, creating a dialogue between traditional and contemporary perspectives while learning with Country and First Nations voices.
Original Concept Caitlin Williams. Realised and developed by Caitlin Williams, Creative Producer, Fintan Murphy, MSE Artistic Director & Conductor and Imogen Williams, Development.
Purchase a printed program
Pre-order now for expedited pick-up when you arrive at the performance.
Featured artists
Leonard Weiss' position as Assistant Conductor and James Henry's position as First Nations Composer in Residence are supported by Cybec Foundation
Aaron Wyatt’s work with the MSO is supported by Sage Foundation.
