Another Rendezvous with Destiny
- From the last performance, at the Art Gallery of NSW
After the packed-out world premiere in April of my musical collaboration with composer Lyle Chan, many who couldn’t attend asked when “Rendezvous with Destiny” will be performed again.
I’m happy to announce the next performance is this Sunday evening, September 25 at the Ballroom of NSW Government House.
Rendezvous with Destiny is a 15-minute work for narrator and musical ensemble. In this way continues the tradition of works like Stravinsky’s “The Soldier’s Tale” or Prokofiev’s “Peter and The Wolf” (no surprise I find it easy to think of Russian examples at the moment). What sets “Rendezvous With Destiny” apart is that it’s not a single story, but many episodes from American history joined up to show the arc of the great American story. The text I’ll speak is made of speeches, poetry and letters. I’m particularly looking forward to reading FDR’s visionary second inaugural address, Benét’s bitterly eloquent poem “John Brown’s Body” and the moving condolence letters Lincoln penned to the family of the Civil War dead – all juxtaposed with Lyle’s fantastic, evocative music.
On Sunday, once again, I will be the narrator and the chamber ensemble is the incomparable New Sydney Wind Quintet.
Details on how to attend can be found here.
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Thoughtlines with Bob Carr 
Bob, can we expect some refreshment during the do or is your recent post concerning the red wine health myth now to be consider holy writ?
There is an interval. Assume there is refreshment. And I have made no interventions.
A belated and possibly amusing reply, John – Govt House NSW has a policy of no-red-wine during public functions because of the danger of staining historic or valuable artefacts and furniture. So, same outcome but a different reason.