Cantata Memoria: For the Children

Hear the full orchestral Australian premiere of Sir Karl Jenkins' monumental work to be performed by singers from the five Victorian Welsh choirs, The Gisborne Singers and Melbourne Youth Chorale. With orchestral backing from the Flagship Melbourne Youth Orchestra with soloists Adrian Tamburini (baritone) and Heulen Cynfal (soprano) under the direction of Brett Kelly.

Cantata Memoria was originally commissioned ten years ago to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the 1966 tragedy where a colliery spoil tip collapsed and engulfed Pantglas Junior School and nearby houses, killing 116 children and 28 adults. The effects of the disaster on grieving families and survivors are still present to this day. The work, with libretto by Mererid Hopwood, initially tells the story of the disaster and then lifts the listener with a journey from darkness to light.

Selected favourite Welsh songs form the first part of the concert before interval.