Lior and Nigel Westlake’s groundbreaking work Compassion had its first live performance in Canberra at the Opening Gala of the 2024 Canberra International Music Festival (CIMF), the last under Roland Peelman’s Artistic Directorship.

In 2014, Compassion earned the ARIA award for Best Classical Album. Compassion has been a long time coming.

Véronique Serret (left) and Lior, CIMF Opening Gala 2024. Photo © Peter Hislop

Genevieve Jacobs, the Chair of the CIMF, spoke the Welcome to Country and shared that the ACT Government had just provided funds to the festival. She then introduced Tara Cheyne, ACT Arts Minister, who expressed gratitude to the CIMF for its support of live music in the ACT on this, its 30th anniversary.

Three musical giants from across the world – William Barton singing and on didgeridoo, Hamed Sadeghi on the tar, and Belgium’s Bram De Looze on piano, laid out a grand narrative for a grand opening.

With Barton creating a highly coloured soundscape on his didgeridoo, a world of sound came alive. For five minutes, he tapped, breathed and sang an ancient time into life. A soft piano through single notes joined in, reflecting a similar atmosphere. Then, the tar, as an equal mirroring before Barton sang out loud.

As the tempo and energy increased, the combination of all three players created an extraordinary ambiance.

Barton startled through the use of multiple techniques performed all at once. This practiced improvisation piece held the audience spellbound for 20 minutes.

William Barton, CIMF Opening Gala 2024. Photo © Peter Hislop

After the interval came Compassion by Lior and Westlake. Composed in 2010 out of grief but also of joy and celebration for Westlake’s son Eli, this profound and stunningly beautiful work is a testament to the spirit and strength of love over hatred.

On this occasion its performers were Lior (voice), William Barton (didgeridoo), Bram De Looze (piano), Hamed Sadeghi (tar), Véronique Serret and Victoria Bihun (violins), Florian Peelman (viola), Freya Schack-Arnott (cello), Ben Ward (double bass), Claire Edwardes (percussion) and Ronan Apcar (piano). Peelman was the director.

Deep double bass notes and piano brought the composition to life. This intimate setting and Lior singing made the piece even more personal. Edwardes (Ensemble Offspring), working her large bank of percussion, slid from instrument to instrument, creating a vibrant array of tonal colours. Peelman’s conducting joined all the dots together.

Claire Edwardes, CIMF Opening Gala 2024. Photo © Peter Hislop.

The beauty and depth of these seven songs came alive through this small but dynamic ensemble. Such is the perfect fit of Lior’s voice, it’s hard to imagine anyone else singing it. He lives every note. One song had his voice mixed through a booming reverb, making it sound like a call to prayer.

After the work faded softly, the capacity audience rose to their feet in applause and was treated with an encore. Lior’s song, Safety of Distance, expressed hope amidst a devastated land, it created a joyful end to this opening gala.

Canberra International Music Festival continues until 5 May.