The Melbourne Symphony Orchestra, under the baton of Chief Conductor Jaime Martín, is honoured to co-present One Song: The Music of Archie Roach, featuring a stellar line-up of artists who draw on their connections to the Australian legend to bring new life to his iconic songs.
An evening of powerful song and sublime storytelling, One Song will celebrate the enormous legacy of Gunditjamara (Kirrae Whurrong/Djab Wurrung), Bundjalung Senior Elder, song man and storyteller, Archie Roach AC AM, as part of the MSO’s NAIDOC Week program.
One Song: The Music of Archie Roach will bring First Nations voices to the Hamer Hall stage to perform seminal songs such as Took the Children Away, Jamu Dreaming and Weeping in the Forest, with the full backing of the MSO.
Rachael Maza AM, artistic director of ILBIJERRI Theatre Company, directs the live concert featuring esteemed digeridoo player and composer William Barton, Black Arm Band pioneer and highly celebrated singer-songwriter Emma Donovan, acclaimed singer-songwriter Jess Hitchcock and Tiddas legend Sally Dastey. Multi-talented soul man, Dan Sultan will bring his powerful connection to Uncle Archie to the stage in his MSO debut.
Archie’s multi-generational influence will be on show with musician of Kamilaroi and Tongan heritage, singer, rapper and spoken word artist Radical Son, winner of the Archie Roach Foundation Award at the 2020 National Indigenous Music Awards Kee’ahn, actress Tamala Shelton, Allara Briggs Pattison, Tenzin Choegyal and Lionel Lauch – all making their MSO debuts. The Dhungala Children’s Choir, conducted by MSO First Nations Chair and Short Black Opera founder Deborah Cheetham Fraillon AO add their voices to the tribute of a musical giant whose shoulders many of these young artists stood upon.
One Song is the only single from Archie’s compilation album My Songs: 1989-2021, released in February 2022. That month, the original MSO performance of One Song: The Music of Archie Roach took pride of place at the Sidney Myer Music Bowl. A collaboration between Archie and his long-time friend and musical collaborator Paul Grabowsky AO, this stunning and moving concert was Archie’s last performance with the MSO.
The digital program can be viewed here.
Presented by the Melbourne Symphony Orchestra, Arts Centre Melbourne and the Archie Roach Foundation in association with Short Black Opera Company, ILBIJERRI Theatre Company and Melbourne International Film Festival.
Archie Roach Photo credit: Phil Nitchie
