Transcendent Reverie | Sydney Opera House

Name: Transcendent Reverie | Sydney Opera House
Start: 2024-12-21T19:00:00+11:00
Location: Sydney Opera House

Schedule

Sat, 21 Dec, 2024 at 07:00 pm

UTC+11:00

Location

Sydney Opera House | Sydney, NS

Renowned for their innovation and versatility, Nexas Quartet (Michael Duke, Andrew Smith, Nathan Henshaw and Jay Byrnes) take the stage at the iconic Sydney Opera House for a concert titled Transcendent Reverie
This concert promises an unforgettable exploration of classical elegance and contemporary depth, showcasing the extraordinary fusion of saxophone and voice.
Opening with Debussy's Suite Bergamasque, a masterpiece of delicate beauty, including the famous "Clair de Lune", will be heard in a new version where saxophone textures reimagine one of the most evocative pieces of French impressionism. Nexas is then joined by long-time collaborator baritone Peter Coleman-Wright for the graceful Beau Soir, setting a dreamlike atmosphere. To conclude the first half of the performance, Nexas and Peter Coleman-Wright continue with Don Quichotte à Dulcinée, where Ravel’s unique blend of wit and lyricism paints vivid images of Spain’s legendary knight-errant.
After a brief interval, the program shifts into a realm of mystery and intrigue with Nexas’ very own Michael Duke ‘Attacco del piede phantasma’, a composition that plays with tension and release, offering a stark contrast to the evening's earlier works.
The concert concludes with Mahler's Rückert-Lieder, where intimate reflections on love, nature, and isolation come to life through songs such as "Ich atmet einen linden Duft," "Blicke mir nicht in die Lieder," and the evocative "Ich bin der Welt abhanden gekommen,". Here the quintet reveal rich, textured arrangements, exploring the deepest emotions of the human soul, ensuring a resonant finale.
Witness how Nexas’ own arrangements are uniquely transformative, yet so attuned to the music’s emotional depth and tonal nuances that they sound as though the pieces were always destined for the saxophone’s rich, expressive voice.