Of the Body

From Andreas Vesalius’ groundbreaking De Humani Corporis Fabrica to the drawings of Da Vinci and Dürer, the 16th century heralded a new fascination with the human figure. Human dissection transformed our understanding of anatomy, and the body became the subject of scientific and artistic fixation.

Of The Body is a musical dissection of sorts. Drawing inspiration from Renaissance art, music, and science, each movement of Dan Walker’s song cycle is devoted to an anatomical part: the eyes, the hands, the mouth, the feet, the blood, and finally, the heart. Of the Body traverses sex, sensuality, our flesh and blood; to exploring our corporeal form in a distinctly contemporary context.

1 hour no interval

Performed by Luminescence Chamber Singers and Roland Peelman AM.

REVIEWS:

“lively, intelligent, and alternately great fun and serious. And always beautifully performed.”
Classikon, April 2023
(Sydney Opera House)

“a triumph of sheer excellence, […] a concert of rare depth.”
Canberra City News, March 2023
(Drill Hall Gallery)

“Canberra has been holding on to this musical secret for far too long now!”
Limelight Magazine, April 2023
(Sydney Opera House)

“this program by the six-voice, Canberra-based Luminescence Chamber Singers was anything but commonplace, […] outstanding throughout”
Classikon, June 2024
(Melbourne Recital Centre)

PROGRAMME

LYNOTE Dominique Phinot (1548)
Text: Clément Marot

MON COEUR, MON CORPS Adriaen Willaert (1545)

SOSPIRI MIEI D'AHIMÈ Adriaen Willaert (1545)

OF THE BODY I: INTROITUS Dan Walker (2023)
Text: Francesco Petrarca

DER NASENTANZ Orlande de Lassus (1576)

OF THE BODY II: SARA SARA Dan Walker (2023)
Text: Matsuo Bashō

YOUR SHINING EYES Michael East (1618)

OF THE BODY III: CALIGAVERUNT OCULI MEI Dan Walker (2023)
Text: Sarah Teasdale

IN MANUS TUAS DOMINE Thomas Tallis (1575)
Text: Psalm 31:6

OF THE BODY IV: YOUR FEET Dan Walker (2023)
Text: Pablo Neruda

SKINNY LOVE Justin Vernon arr. Roland Peelman (2007)

OF THE BODY V: REBEL BLOOD Dan Walker (2023)
Text: Andrea Aguilar Ferro

THE BODY BREAKS Devendra Banhart arr. Roland Peelman (2004)

OF THE BODY VI: ODE TO A MOUTH Dan Walker (2023)
Text: Alexander Cook

CON LA SUA MAN Luca Marenzio (1591)

PINK EDGES IV Gerard Brophy (2002)
Text: Pietro Aretino

OF THE BODY VII: HOW TO HOLD A HEART Dan Walker (2023)
Text: Malia Wollan/Dr Kathy Magliato

PAST PERFORMANCES
5 April 2023 | Utzon Room, Sydney Opera House
2 April 2023 | Wollongong Art Gallery
30 March 2023 | Drill Hall Gallery, Canberra
31 March 2023 | Drill Hall Gallery, Canberra
9 May 2024 | Hume Conservatorium, Goulburn
11 May 2024 | Music@11, Arts Bundanoon
12 May 2024 | Four Winds Pavilion, Bermagui
19 May 2024 | Braidwood Uniting Church
29 June 2024 | The Hedberg, Festival of Voices, Hobart
3 July 2024 | Melbourne Recital Centre
5 July 2024 | Pilgrim Church, Adelaide

Of The Body was commissioned in 2022 with the assistance of Arts ACT. Of The Body 2024 Touring dates has been assisted by the Australian Government through Music Australia and Creative Australia, its arts funding and advisory body. Of The Body at the Melbourne Recital Centre is supported by the Bowness Family Foundation

  • Roland Peelman

    CONDUCTOR

  • AJ America

    MEZZO SOPRANO

  • Alasdair Stretch

    BASS

  • Lucien Fischer

    BARITONE

  • Rachel Mink

    Soprano

  • Veronica Milroy

    SOPRANO

  • Dan Walker

    COMPOSER/TENOR