Australian Music Centre | Breaking sound barriers

Event Details

Composer Deborah Cheetham AO has created this work "to amplify the importance of our nation's shared history". Eumeralla, a war requiem for peace powerfully responds to the story of conflict and loss associated with one of the most brutal resistance wars fought on this continent. This is choral and symphonic music on a grand scale and is designed to lead audience and performers alike towards a long overdue declaration of peace.

Sung entirely in the ancient dialects of the Gunditjmara people, Eumeralla expands on the structure of the traditional Requiem Mass bringing together considerable forces to unite in the telling of this history. The concert will feature Yorta Yorta Soprano Deborah Cheetham AO, Gungarri Baritone Don Bemrose and Mezzo Soprano Talia Garrett-Benson as soloists, UQ Symphony Orchestra, UQ Chorale, Dhungala Children's Choir, and Voices of Birralee.

"It is my hope that this requiem will help the spirits of those who fell to find a lasting peace and that we, their descendants, might find our way to deeper understanding of the legacy of these battles."  Deborah Cheetham AO

Eumeralla has been made possible with the help of Gunditjmara language custodian Vicki Couzens and linguist Travers Eira. Artwork by Gunditjmara/Yorta Yorta Artist Tom Day.

Further information for this event is available online at the event's website

Featured Australian Works

Featured artists

• Performer Deborah Cheetham Fraillon
• Performer Don Bemrose
• Performer Talia Garrett-Benson
• Performer UQ Symphony Orchestra
• Performer UQ Chorale
• Performer Dhungala Children's Choir
• Performer Voices of Birralee