Australian Youth Orchestra 2023

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Australian Youth Orchestra present the world premiere orchestral performance of Ngapa William Cooper - composed and written by Nigel Westlake, Lior and Lou Bennett AM, with additional lyrics by Sarah Gory.

Join the Australian Youth Orchestra as they perform three sweeping works inspired by the tenacity of the human spirit at Sydney Opera House on Monday 10 July 2023.

Ngapa William Cooper premiered at the Adelaide Festival in 2023 and was born out of a rich collaboration between composer Nigel Westlake, singer-songwriter Lior, and performer and academic Dr Lou Bennett AM. With Westlake leading from the podium, these acclaimed artists will bring their dynamic stage presence to the orchestral premiere commissioned by AYO.

Ngapa William Cooper explores the strength and compassion of Yorta Yorta activist Uncle William Cooper. In 1938, Cooper led the Australian Aborigines' League through the streets of Melbourne in the only non-Jewish protest worldwide against the events of Kristallnacht in Nazi Germany. Using English and Yorta Yorta language, it is a celebration of a man who left behind a 'legacy of resistance, solidarity and empathy'.

The concert opens with Westlake's The Glass Soldier, originally written for Hannie Rayson's play of the same name. It is dedicated to the memory Nelson Ferguson, a WW1 veteran and artist, and was commissioned by Ferguson's grandson Don Farrands.

This will be followed by the orchestral premiere of Beneath the Waves, the distillation of Westlake's score for 2022 motion picture Blueback. Star cellist Sharon Grigoryan will feature as soloist. Blueback takes its story from Tim Winton's 1997 novel and follows a mother and daughter's fight to protect Australia's precious coral reefs.

The premiere orchestral performance of Ngapa William Cooper will be held during 2023 NAIDOC Week that will coincide with the Canberra performance on 09 July. NAIDOC Week is a time to for all Australians to learn about First Nations cultures and histories. To acknowledge this, BlakTix (discounted tickets for First Nations audience members) will be available for both performances.