Reunited as collaborators after over a decade, the Australian Chamber Orchestra (ACO) and Sydney Dance Company (SDC) bring together music, movement and evocative lighting to create something truly extraordinary.
Featuring Gramophone Award-winning countertenor Iestyn Davies, Silence & Rapture pairs works spanning across three centuries by composers Johann Sebastian Bach and Arvo Pärt with choreography from Rafael Bonachela (Artistic Director at SDC).
The performance is touring through most major cities in Australia until the 19th of August, with limited tickets still remaining at upcoming shows. Giving Culture is looking forward to seeing Silence & Rapture at the Sydney Opera House on the 18th.
Be sure to book quickly to avoid missing out, and follow ACO on Instagram, Facebook or LinkedIn to stay up to date with their 2024 season!
What are the critics thinking of Silence & Rapture?
Review: Silence & Rapture at the City Recital Hall
“… it was sacred from beginning to end – it was God’s gardens they were creating.“
“This program is worthy of a PhD thesis… Hopefully Silence & Rapture will gain a reputation sufficient for it to be included in the canon and we can garner new meanings each time we see and hear it.”
– Paul Neeson, EastSide FM
★★★★½ Silence & Rapture (Australian Chamber Orchestra & Sydney Dance Company)
“…this was an experience in which time seemed magically suspended and in which music, dance and voice intertwined to elevate all three.”
“The participation of British countertenor Iestyn Davies introduced a third transcendent element. Davies, making his Australian debut, sang with pure, radiant expression and was a poignant presence as he moved with the dancers and around the stage.“
– Deborah Jones, Limelight
The rapturous reunion of the Sydney Dance Company and Australian Chamber Orchestra
“…Every audience member, even if they see these titles of each program segment, will still imagine their interpretation. It’s a very clever roadmap for us to communally follow, but everyone’s journey could be different.”
– Stephen A Russell, ArtsHub
Australian Chamber Orchestra bring house down with sound of silence
“The music stopped mid-bar and a dumb show by two dancers took over in a moving climax to the Australian Chamber Orchestra’s latest tour with star British countertenor Iestyn Davies.”
“His rendition of the aria Embarme Dich from Bach’s St Matthew Passion was a time-stopping six minutes that will live long in the memory.”
– Steve Moffatt, Daily Telegraph