Originally commissioned by Sydney Philharmonia Choirs for its 2020 centenary and premiered in 2023 at the Sydney Opera House, Human Waves was written by Elena Kats-Chernin and Tamara-Anna Cislowska. Exploring the migrant experience (and the shock of coming across a bikini or Vegemite for the first time), it has been expanded to include the stories of RCV choristers from India and Sweden. The Western Sydney premiere will be conducted by Dr Sarah Penicka-Smith and Dr Philip Eames, with Kevin Wang and the composers on piano.

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Revel in music that reflects you, with soaring sound, shared heritage, and powerful voices from the heart of Western Sydney.

Waves of people… waves of sound…Let Human Waves carry you through the vivid diversity of Australia’s migrant history, our common bond and one of our greatest assets. This major work was originally commissioned by Sydney Philharmonia Choirs for its centenary celebrations from two of Australia’s most beloved artists, Tamara-Anna Cislowska (librettist) and Elena Kats-Chernin AO (composer).

In September 2020, the world premiere was streamed online to a global audience, performed by a virtual choir of over 200 choristers from around the world, with Kats-Chernin and Cislowska on piano, conducted by Brett Weymark OAM. The fully orchestrated premiere took place exactly three years later at the Sydney Opera House featuring River City Voices.