Paul Stanhope’s commission will examine one of the few cases of organised resistance to white settlement.

The Sydney Symphony Orchestra will present the world premiere of a major new choral work based on the story of Jandamarra, an indigenous Australian of the Bunuba people in the West Australian Kimberley region who, in the 1890s, led one of the few organised armed insurrections documented against European settlement in Australia.

Renowned Australian composer Paul Stanhope will set a libretto by Steve Hawke (son of former PM Bob Hawke) and the performances will feature the Yilimbirri Ensemble from Fitzroy Crossing plus 500 singers from five choirs: the National Indigenous Choir, the Gondwana Voices, the Gondwana Chorale, the Sydney Schools Choir and Sydney Children’s Choir.

SSO Managing Director Rory Jeffes sees this as a ground-breaking collaboration of major importance to the Australian cultural scene. “The SSO is proud to have commissioned this significant work,” he said. “This is a clear example of the considerable role music can play in the joining of cultures in Australia. Jandamarra is the second SSO commission in six years which brings together western classical music...