Monday, July 27, 2009

Michael Nyman and Didgeridoo

Yesterday we went to Sydney Opera House cause Michael Nyman was playing there with his band, and it's not a sight to miss. But the cherry on top arrived after the interval.

As the people shuffled around, the crew set up a mic and a didgeridoo, and my body tingled with anticipation. When the lights dimmed, a large man with black curly hair walked on stage in place of Michael, and the crowd was not sure to clap or not. The man walked to the didgeridoo, with a hint of modesty, and the crowd decided that he was a performer and that they should clap. So they did.

Michael Nyman did come out after the man, said a few words, and the rest is a beautiful blur of the symphony they performed afterwords. The man sang aboriginal chants, accompanied by electric guitar and didgeridoo, and the spirits of Australia gathered to listen.

Program
Wonderland (1999)
~ Mollly
~ Eddie
~ Nadia

Prospero's Books (1991)
~ Prospero's Curse
~ Yellow Sands
~ Miranda

The Libertine (2005)
~ The Mistress
~ Against Constancy
~ A Satire Against Reason

Water Dances 4& 8 (1992)

..... Interval .....

The Piano (1993)
~ Big My Secret
~ Silver-Fingered Fling
~ The Heart Asks Pleasure First

The Draughtsman's Contract (1982)
~ Chasing Sheep
~ Eye for Optical Theory

Drowning by Numbers (1998)
~ Trysting Field/Sheep and Tides
~ Wheelbarrow Walk
~ Wedding Tango
~ Fish Beach
~ Knowing the Ropes

I think the didgeridoo man improvised along the way, and I was not sure whether it was sweat or tears that moistened his face.

This one was one of my favorites:

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