Stunning collaboration at The Art House

Lior, Lou Bennett and Nigel Westlake

Central Coast classical music lovers will be treated to a stunning collaboration by the Sydney Symphony Orchestra, composer Nigel Westlake, award-winning singer/songwriter Lior, and vocalist Lou Bennett at The Art House in May.

Together they will perform Ngapa William Cooper, a composition paying tribute to the life of Yorta Yorta activist Uncle William Cooper

The Aboriginal activist played a pivotal role in establishing equal rights for Aboriginal Australians and led the Australian Aborigines’ League protest against the events of Kristallnacht in Nazi Germany.

It follows the highly successful collaboration of Westlake and Lior on Compassion in 2013.

The new work is co-written and co-performed with Yorta Yorta Dja Dja Wurrung songwriter/composer Lou Bennett, who is also a direct descendant of Uncle William Cooper.

Sung in English and Yorta Yorta language, the story combines Westlake’s signature musical palette with moving vocals from Lior and Bennett to celebrate Cooper’s legacy of resistance, solidarity, and empathy.

These layers are all supported beautifully by the sounds of the Sydney Symphony Orchestra.

The Sydney Symphony Orchestra performs Ngapa William Cooper at The Art House at 7.30pm on Saturday, May 25.

Bookings are available at  www.thearthousewyong.com.au or by calling 4335 1485.