The urgency and concern about the rapid demise of Earth’s oceanic life, and the reverence for Sir David Attenborough, were reflected in a packed audience of young and old. Ocean in Concert showcases his 2025 documentary, with Camerata, Queensland’s Chamber Orchestra performing the score by award-winning composer Steven Price live.

Attenborough is one of the UK’s national treasures, described by Toby Nowlan, Director and Producer, as “one of the greatest storytellers of all time”. In 1985, he was knighted for his services to television, both behind and in front of the camera.

As the Controller of BBC2, he even commissioned Monty Python’s Flying Circus. However, it is his tender narration of natural history documentaries for which he is renowned; narrating Ocean at the age of 99 and three more documentaries in 2026, he himself has become a natural wonder and someone I am proud to have personally met.

With a large Camerata ensemble seated below the large screen and conductor Peter Morris, the Deputy Director and Head of Ensembles at the Queensland Conservatorium, Griffith University, at the helm, the rush of the ocean accompanies Attenborough exclaiming how all life began in the sea and how it is our final frontier in this...