Pearls

A jewel of Southern Cross Soloists’ 2025 schedule, Pearls transcends time to gift audiences an afternoon of music imbued with spirit, belief and peace.

The night’s program begins with ‘Spiritus Sanctus Vivificans’ the entrancing antiphon of German mystic Saint Hildegard of Bingen, followed by Ross Edwards’ chorale, ‘Maninyas: Concerto for Violin and Orchestra’ – both of which contemplate the importance of the spirit and its role as the source and sustenance of life. From there, Southern Cross Soloists will deliver a rendition of Mozart’s ‘Flute Quartet in D major, K. 285’, followed by two compositions by Vincenzo Bellini. ‘Casta Diva’ from the opera Norma (to be sung by friend of SXS, award-winning First Nations soprano, Nina Korbe) and ‘Son vergin vezzosa’ from the opera I puritani.

Pearls will also feature the world premiere of a new composition by Joe Chindamo and didgeridoo soloist Chris Williams, as part of the SXS Didgeridoo Commissioning Project 2022 – 2032. The day’s performance will conclude with renditions of Gershwin’s ‘Summertime’ (from the opera Porgy and Bess) and Leonard Bernstein’s ‘Somewhere’ from West Side Story – two lullabies steeped in belief of love and freedom.