• Programme

  Their performance in Elisabeth Murdoch Hall explores the rich astronomical traditions of Australia’s First Nations people over the past 65,000 years, believed to be the oldest practice of astronomy in the world. SXS together with Paula Nazarski and Chris Williams present new works by First Nations’ composers Brenda Gifford, Eric Avery and Sean O’Boyle AM in a concert of Australian works inspired by the night sky and the Seven Sister constellation.

  Through a unique understanding of star constellations and the interconnection between the sky and the land, they created star maps and songlines that established sophisticated trade routes covering vast distances across the Australian continent and used astronomy to inform their daily lives including their social laws, hunting and food gathering techniques, and understanding of weather and seasonal changes.

  This celestial knowledge and deep understanding of the land has been aurally passed down from generation to generation through sophisticated systems, stories and songlines, marking the continuity and intricacy of the oldest culture in the world.

  Sean O’BoyleSun, Moon, Stars and Dreaming: ’12 Vignettes’

  Brenda GiffordLittle Star: Djinggii

  Eric AveryEmu in the SkyMorning StarThe Rising Sun

  Sean O’BoyleFire

  Chris Williams didgeridoo

  Eric Avery violin

  Tania Frazer oboe

  Ashley Smith clarinet

  Jonathan Henderson flute

  Nick Mooney french horn

  Alan Smith violin

  Courtenay Cleary violin

  James Wannan viola

  Guillaume Wang cello

  Maxwell Foster piano

  Paula Nazarski narrator