Beloved mezzo-soprano Sally-Anne Russell gives the world premiere of Jodie O’Regan’s Hope Song Cycle, written for her voice and artistry. She is joined by Linda Pirie (flute), Joseph Freer (cello), Suneetha Carter (harp) and Clara Cutri (soprano) in an evening of birds, water and hope, recorded live at UKARIA.

“During COVID, Emlyn and I washed up like flotsam on the Fleurieu Peninsula, beside the Great Southern Ocean. There, I saw a whale for the first time.

Soon afterwards, Linda Pirie commissioned a small piece for Windsong Quintet about hope and renewal, and I began writing from Victor Harbor’s whaling history. Since then, the piece has grown into a major multi-movement work. Twenty-seven musicians, five venues, Chamber Music Adelaide, CreateSA, the City of Adelaide, directors, designers and returning audiences have helped Leviathan become the largest work I have ever made.

Now I am writing the final movement for the glorious Sally-Anne Russell and the string players of Adelaide Baroque. Chamber Music Adelaide will present it at this year’s On the Terrace. This final movement is my love song for the sanctuary of Encounter Bay, calling the whales home, and my thank-you to everyone who has made the work possible so far.

Come and hear the whales come home.”

-Jodie O’Regan