Our breath is a base expression of our feelings – we let out an anxious or surprised gasp, or a sigh of relief. We take a deep breath when we brace ourselves, and hold our breath when we wait. We talk about our breath when we are awestruck, when we rest, when we sigh, or speak, or sing. In recent years, we have witnessed and experienced violent asphyxiation in many forms, from the thick smoke of bushfires to the spectre of respiratory infection. Meanwhile, the words “I can’t breathe” resonate around the world as a harrowing reminder of the ongoing persecution of black communities both in the United States and here at home in Australia.
In Drawing Breath Luminescence Chamber Singers explore first breaths, last breaths, and music as diverse as the vast compass of human life and feeling in between: from Machaut and Monteverdi, to Pink Floyd and Queen, and newly commissioned works by Brenda Gifford, Connor D’Netto and Dan Walker.
This performance is generously supported by the National Museum of Australia.