NGAIIRE + GODTET W/ THE SYDNEY SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA
For me, going to the Sydney Opera House to see a show is a rare experience.To be in a room where the sound has been architecturally and artfully created to perfection as opposed to having it blaring out of one speaker in my left ear was a nice change. So being able to witness Sydney Symphony Orchestra’s ‘double-feature’ collaboration Fireflies with Papua New Guinean future-soul powerhouse Ngaiire and Australian modern jazz project Godtet with the Sydney Symphony Orchestra at the Sydney Opera House was something I was really looking forward to.
I would like to thank Marygrace from Kabuku for inviting me to the show, and for the extra ticket. My house mate Bodhi was my plus one. Bodhi had never been inside the Opera House before, so he thanks you too!
The show itself was a melding pot of such talented musicians from different worlds of genre and style. As a musician, to see the organisation that was happening in front of me was amazing. For all of the artists on stage to gel and compliment the full range of an orchestra is not an easy task, especially if the genres conflict. It can feel lazy or forced.
Ngaiire, on the other hand, is well practiced. First performing with the SSO in 2022 in the Opera House Forecourt and has since played with the Melbourne and Queensland Symphony Orchestras.
Ngaiire and Godtet both have unique contemporary sounds that were still displayed and that were brought to a new level by the swelling sound of an orchestra.
In Godtet’s opening performance in particular, their signature neo jazz is found in guitarist David Rodriguez’s (Godriguez) experimental lead lines and effects and accented by drummer Tully Ryan providing urgency and improvisational flair. Playing long compositions with plenty of dialogue between the band and the orchestra. In Ngaiire’s performance, her impressive voice was able to stay neatly above the music, like an aria in opera.
Having an orchestra, a unified wall of sound, sound perfectly clear while still feeling its full, chest humming depth was a feat by the sound team. I felt this in my seat in the far back, I can only imagine how it would’ve been for those in front or on the stage. Credit also must be given to the production team, the light features seemed to expand the already giant room.
Thanks again to Marygrace for this opportunity to broaden my taste of live music, and to see such an incredible show.
Godtet - (c) Jordan Munns
Ngaiire and The SSO - (c) Jordan Munns
All photos taken by @jordankmunns .
Lewis G