Australian Chamber Choir celebrates the life of Gagudju elder and poet Bill ‘Kakadu Man’ Neidjie

In June, the Australian Chamber Choir celebrates the life of Gagudju elder and poet Bill ‘Kakadu Man’ Neidjie.   His Dreaming poetry is central to a program that journeys through Australia’s multicultural landscape.  

Kakadu Man will premiere in Macedon and Melbourne prior to 16 performances across Germany, Denmark and Switzerland.

Bill Neidjie (c.1920–2002) was responsible for opening his native territory to the general public, inviting Australians and international guests to enjoy the natural beauty of the Kakadu National Park with its sacred ancient rock art sites. Neidjie broke taboos by publishing some of his people’s traditional stories in two books of poetry and with that, ensured that the history and philosophy of his people were not forgotten.    

With permission from the poet’s family, the Australian Chamber Choir has commissioned Tom Henry to set extracts from Neidjie’s poems to music.   These poems speak of a place where the spiritual world meets the physical.

Known for his inspirational and technically demanding programs, Director Douglas Lawrence has fashioned a superb collection of works that will resonate with Australian and European audiences alike.  

“The program places two masterworks of the Italian Renaissance (Gabrieli and Lotti) alongside one of the finest large-scale English works of the 20th century (Vaughan Williams - Mass in G minor), the sensuality of French Romanticism (Ravel and Alain) beside a fascinating work by Filipino composer, Robin Estrada. The crowning glory is Tom Henry's sensitive and moving new work”, said Director Douglas Lawrence

Stephen Leek’s Kondalilla takes us from Australia’s far North to the central East coast where the Yuggera people of Queensland tell of Kondalilla, the spirit of moving water, who transformed herself into a waterfall. This evocative soundscape conjures the magic of the Kondalilla waterfall in its breathtaking rainforest surroundings. Leek’s work places the singers all around the audience and employs extended vocal techniques to mimic the sounds of water and birds.

Gabrieli’s Magnificat in eight voice parts is an example of masterful choral writing that has been revered and emulated by all choral composers ever since.

The rich harmonic language of Vaughan Williams’ Mass in G minor, written immediately after the First World War is a perfect complement to the unique language of Jehan Alain. His Choral Dorien, composed for organ in 1935, has been arranged by the choir’s Elizabeth Anderson as a wordless chorus for this performance.

Staying with themes from the natural world, the choir sings three songs by Maurice Ravel (1916) and one from prize-winning Philippine composer, Robin Estrada.

Brenton Broadstock’s Soul of Anzac will be added to the Kakadu Man program for the European tour.  For the first time, members of the public will accompany the Choir on an exclusive 15-day, 4-star luxury journey of fabulous music and priceless experiences. There are just two places still available on this tour.