Wata means many things: it is a part of a ceremonial song cycle, part of the manikay (public song) tradition of the Ngukurr people. It is also a purification ritual, a song of new beginnings, of release, of flight, and connection to land, ancestry and hope for the future.
With complex patterns of yidaki and bilma forming the building blocks, musicians of the Sydney Symphony and guest improvising soloists weave in and out of the songs led by Daniel Wilfred and David Wilfred, guided by Paul Grabowsky’s powerful orchestration.
Wata is an invitation to experience a new form of musical collaboration within the manikay tradition, inside the Sydney Opera House Concert Hall. It’s exciting, invigorating and spontaneous. It’s totally life affirming.
1hr 20min.
24th July, 2024
24th July, 2024
GETTING TO THE VENUE
BY PUBLIC TRANSPORT: The Sydney Opera House is a six-minute walk to Circular Quay which is regularly served by public buses, trains and ferries to Circular Quay.
BY CAR: Wilson Parking owns and operates the public Sydney Opera House Car Park, which is located at 2 Macquarie Street (Northern end). The car park is open 24 hours, 7 days a week, and has undercover access to the Sydney Opera House Lower Concourse.
For further information please visit the Sydney Opera House
PROGRAM:
Wata: A Gathering for Manikay Performers, Improvising Soloists and Orchestra
Composed by Paul Grabowsky for a Wägiluk Djuwalpada Manikay shared and performed by Daniel Ngukurr Boy Wilfred (voice and bilma) and David Yipininy Wilfred (yidaki)
ARTISTS:
Conductor: Benjamin Northey
Director / piano: Paul Grabowsky
Vocals and bilma: Daniel Ngukurr Boy Wilfred
Yidaki: David Yipininy Wilfred
Violin: Erkki Veltheim
Double bass: Helen Svoboda
Trumpet and electronics: Peter Knight
Bass clarinet: Aviva Endean
Unfortunately, tickets for this event are no longer available.
Sign up to our mailing list to receive exclusive offers, new show ticket alerts and seasonal promotions. You can unsubscribe at any time.
Apple, the Apple logo, iPhone, and iPad are trademarks of Apple Inc., registered in the U.S. and other countries and regions. App Store is a service mark of Apple Inc. Google Play and the Google Play logo are trademarks of Google LLC.