-BARRA
-barra at Sydney Festival
A sonic and visual journey through Yuwaalaraay country in North Western New South Wales where the river sings and the red dirt rumbles.
DETAILS
Sunday 16 January, City Recital Hall, Sydney
PROGRAM
Works by Nardi Simpson
Winangaylanha - An Acknowledgement
Old Ones - For Our Ancestors
Yinnarraa - Senior Women
Miimii - The Grandmothers Descend
Burruguu - Time Before Time
Garrii - Native Orchid
Nhunnga – Kurrajong
Wirringin - Senior Men
Murrugu - Twin Trees of the Swamp
Mirriyaa - Lignum- A Timeless Tangle
Dhiiyaan Family - Together We- Family
Dhariwaa - Narran Lakes
Dhigayaa - The Flight of the Birds
World Premieres
ARTISTS
Yuwaalaraay Artists & Ensemble Offspring
Nardi Simpson (Composer, Performance, Choir Directing)
Lucy Simpson (Design, Stills Images, Fabric & Object making)
Brendan Odee Welsh (Drone and Stills Footage and Images)
Claire Edwardes (Percussion, Artistic Director)
Georgina Oakes (Clarinets)
Lamorna Nightingale (Flutes)
Andrew Blanch (Guitar)
Kevin Hunt (Piano, Guest Artist)
Voices: Susan Atkinson, Tim Bishop - Wiradjuri, Kaleena Briggs - Yorta Yorta/Wiradjuri, Kim Bulkeley, Tracey Cameron - Gamilaraay, Marie Chellos, Angela Collins, Jennifer Douglass, Annie Fenwicke, Gabriella Florek, Noella Lopez, Priscilla Reid-Loynes - Yuwaalaraay, Patricia Manalang, Audrey Minami, Uncle Johnny Nicol - Gubbi Gubbi, Jennifer Rowley
Peachey & Mosig (Visuals)
Des O’Niel (Sound)
DESCRIPTION
-barra is a sonic and visual journey through Yuwaalaraay country in North Western New South Wales where the river sings and the red dirt rumbles. The world premiere of -barra has been created as part of Nardi Simpson’s 2021 First Nations Composer in Residence with Ensemble Offspring with thanks to many and various partners and collaborators. From Nhungga-barra dirt country to the flat plains of Mirriaa-barra, from the swamplands of Murrgu-barra to the riverlands of Garrii-barra, the artists have come together to create a sonic mapping of the land through the four distinct regions they call home.
A NOTE FROM THE CREATORS
To sing country and keep stories strong is seen as the primary role of artists in Yuwaalaraay society. It is also incumbent on us artists to do these things in a spirit of strength, generosity and kindness. -barra is a collaborative body of work of three Yuwaalaraay artists, their work born of country which honours the relationship of all things and the right ways in which to uphold them. It invites people to experience our country through their own eyes and ears and asks listeners to feel themselves our homelands. It is our aim to bring the beauty and scale of our country to the hearts, minds and spirit of all those who gather to listen. The part sharing plays within our culture is fundamental and by sharing our country with others we are continuing timeless traditions. -barra is an affirmation of language, culture, identity and belonging; deep feelings of connection we offer and open to you.
— Nardi, Lucy & Ode
“Too Deadly”
“The sheer diversity of styles, some incorporating jazz, percussion, repetitive and vocal elements, ensures variety and attraction.”
“A team of incredible composers, mentors, and Ensemble Offspring’s musical interpreters, coming together to empower First Nations Voices”
“Ensemble Offspring’s program showcased not only the unique styles and arrangements of the compositions, but also gave a sense of the importance of storytelling for First Nations people.”
“While Australia has been debating the representation of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people in parliament, a dozen First Nations composers have been given their own voice…”
WATCH
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
Supported by APRA/AMCOS Art Music Grant, The Sydney Conservatorium of Music, Ensemble Offspring, Ngarra-Burria First Peoples Composers, Barayagal Choir, Yarn Australia, Narran Lakes Co-Management Committee, Gaawaa Miyay, Dhariwaa Elders Group, Peachey & Mosig, and ABC Classic.
Image by Brendan Odee Welsh.
