2022 Season
the sacred veil
Polyphonic Voices is proud to be a part of the Australian premiere of Eric Whitacre's new work for choir, cello and piano, entitled The Sacred Veil. Written with poet and long-time collaborator Charles Anthony Silvestri, this 12-movement work tells a story of love, loss, grief, and the search for solace. And although the personal inspiration at its core is the death of Silvestri’s wife, this intimate and compelling score follows a very human – and very relatable – journey. The music itself is everything we’ve come to expect from Whitacre – shimmering harmonies, luxurious sonorities, searing intensity.
“The Sacred Veil is a story for us all,” says Whitacre, “everyone has a place of pain that we can hardly bear to touch” and it taps into the way music – and especially singing – can help us grieve and heal.
In a rare Australian appearance, Whitacre will conduct the combined forces of The Choir of Trinity College and Polyphonic Voices, along with cellist Rosanne Hunt and pianist Rhodri Clarke.
Melbourne performances
Wednesday 7 September 2022 - 7:30pm
Thursday 8 September 2022 - 7:30pm
Alexander Theatre, The Ian Potter Centre for Performing Arts, Monash University
Tickets
$20 - $69
Port fairy spring music festival
Polyphonic Voices is delighted to join with some of Australia’s finest musical artists and ensembles at the Port Fairy Spring Music Festival. Based on the theme of ‘Regeneration’, this year’s festival promises to be a revitalising and joyous weekend of music-making. Polyphonic Voices will perform in three concerts: a collaboration with Anne Norman (shakuhachi) entitled Brolga Dawn; a liturgical performance at St John’s Anglican Church; and the closing gala concert, Regeneration, together with the musicians of the festival.
“We reacquaint ourselves with old friends … and revere them with renewed wonder. We rekindle the spark of vitality which our living composers, flagbearers of the culture of our times, can again give to their musical offspring, so that we can again be there in the room as a new work is brought to life, so that our ears may again listen to the fresh strains of a newly discovered harmony; a freshly minted melody; a uniquely envisioned perspective.” - Monica Curro & Stefan Cassomenos, Artistic Directors
Port fairy performances
Brolga Dawn - Saturday 15 October - 3:30pm, Drill Hall
Spring Festival Worship - Sunday 16 October - 9:00am, St John’s Anglican Church
Closing Gala: Regeneration -Sunday 16 October - 3:30pm, Southcombe Park Stadium