VAST

Forget traditional concerts. Inside a reimagined Georgian theatre, a bespoke 360° sound system turns the room into an expanding universe, where no two seats share the same journey.
Tasmanian composer Constantine Koukias returns from Amsterdam with Dutch sound designer Willem van Erven Dorens, and a live international ensemble, to unveil a groundbreaking work that transforms the invisible force of dark energy into a live sonic spectacle. This site-specific work has been created for Beaker Street Festival and the Theatre Royal.
VAST is inspired by the 1998 discovery that the expansion of the universe is accelerating, made by Adam Riess, Saul Perlmutter, and Brian Schmidt, which earned them the Nobel Prize in Physics.
In this innovative concert, more than 120 recorded voices and 80 instrumentalists break apart into sonic “particles” that swirl, collide, and drift like unstable matter in an invisible field.
The international ensemble features Australian pianist Gabriella Smart, American soprano Katharine Dain, English tenor Tyrone Landau, Tasmanian musicians Jennifer Owen (violin) and Yoram Levy (trumpet), Celia Craig (Cor Anglais, SA), Frances Butler (Producer), Gavin Findlay (Associate Producer), Greg Gurr (sound supervisor), Jason James (lighting designer), and Donald Bate (live delay operator).
This activity was supported through Arts Tasmania.
This event is part of Beaker Street Festival
Smart, surprising, and seriously entertaining: Beaker Street Festival is bringing its signature mix of science, art, and connection back to Lutruwita/Tasmania this August. Beaker Street Festival is Tasmania's annual celebration of science and culture.
🗓️ 6 – 17 August
📍 Lutruwita / Tasmania
🎟️ Full program: tickets.beakerstreet.com.au
🧪 Festival information: beakerstreet.com.au/festival