This major work was originally commissioned by Sydney Philharmonia Choirs for its centenary celebrations from two of Australia’s most beloved artists, Tamara-Anna Cislowska (librettist) and Elena Kats-Chernin AO (composer).
In September 2020, the world premiere was streamed online to a global audience, performed by a virtual choir of over 200 choristers from around the world, with Kats-Chernin and Cislowska on piano, conducted by Brett Weymark OAM. The fully orchestrated premiere took place exactly three years later at the Sydney Opera House featuring Paramatta’s very own symphonic choir, River City Voices.
And now, five years on, Human Waves reverberates through Western Sydney for the very first time, amplified by powerful new movements commissioned by River City Voices, telling Western Sydney stories. Ride the tide of sound with ARIA award-winners Cislowska and Kats-Chernin at their scintillating best on piano.
Conducted by Dr Sarah Penicka-Smith and Dr Philip Eames, this deeply resonating performance will be held at Riverside Theatres, and River City Voices is delighted to be among the final performances before the venue closes for its long-anticipated redevelopment!
Image captions:
Hero: River City Voices premiering Brazilian Composer Amaral Vieira’s Stabat Mater
1: River City Voices with tenor and proud Biripi man, Elias Wilson
2: Audience at Vivaldi’s Gloria & Vieira’s Stabat Mater
3: River City Voices conducted by Dr Sarah Penicka-Smith, St. Patrick’s Cathedral, Parramatta, May 2025
4: River City Voices with Angelique Tot (alto), Benjamin Caukwell (bass), Elias Wilson (tenor) and Sarah Penicka-Smith (conductor)
Photo credit: Grant Leslie
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