'Moonlite' tells the true-crime queer love story of the 19th-century Australian bushranger Andrew George Scott, in the form of a 90-minute oratorio for voices, percussion and viola.
Composed by Wally Gunn and Maria Zajkowski, winner of the Albert Maggs Composition Prize and recently performed to a sold-out audience in Fitzroy, this is a powerful work that effortlessly transcends musical genres to paint a picture of Victoria's own star-crossed lovers, set uniquely in our Gold Rush era past.
It brings to life the true story of "Captain Moonlite" and his lover James Nesbitt with a poetic libretto inspired by their remaining letters, court reports and newspapers of the day. The Australian bush, birdsong and the harsh but beautiful realities of life on the goldfields come together in this major new work of Australian music.
Performed by six voices of The Consort of Melbourne, percussionists Louise Devenish, Kaylie Melville, Hamish Upton and Zela Papageorgiou, and violist Phoebe Green.
Directed by Miranda Hill and Steven Hodgson.
"These sonic elements weave around each other to create a voluminous, polyphonic experience. From the thumping, primordial effect of four percussionists playing pulsing unison; rich and brilliant singing, perfectly prepared by director Steve Hodgson, of The Consort of Melbourne; and Phoebe Green’s viola playing (by turns robust and confident, whispery and whimsical), a fantastic sonic tapestry is created."
Limelight magazine
Homophonic! presents: Moonlite is assisted by the Australian Government through Creative Australia, its principal arts investment and advisory body.
It is part of the Shepparton Arts Festival Winter Weekend.
