A new 40 minute work to inhabit the heavens and the earth, exploring our imagining of the universe through music and poetry.

The work focuses on astronomy from a uniquely Australian perspective: the constellations as Australians can see them, incorporating recordings from Australian stargazing sites. The work links the listeners through our shared connection to space and celestial bodies and references different cultural interpretations of space and the stars. 

The work has been commissioned by Le Balcon, France’s celebrated contemporary ensemble, and Australian singers Michael Smallwood (tenor) and Damien Pass (baritone). Custodians of the Sky will premiere at the Musée du Quai Branly, Paris, 15th and 16th April 2023, in a version for tenor, baritone, chamber orchestra and electronics (comprised of field recordings from Australia stargazing sites). 

The text in Custodians of the Sky comes from living Australian writers. At the start and throughout the work are the writings of indigenous astronomer Bill Yidumduma Harney and Hugh Cairns from their book Dark Sparklers. Five poems emerge as songs in the following order; Stars  by David Malouf, Skywatchers by Margaret Bradstock, Perspective Passes over Us by Renee Pettitt-Schipp, Moon by A. Frances Johnson, The Moon via telescope by Margaret Bradstock.