# Event Details

- **Event Name**: nyilamum song cycles
- **Event Start and End Date**: Wed, 02 Sep, 2026 at 07:30 pm (+10:00)
- **Event Description**: 'Compelling and atmospheric across an absolute language barrier.’ - The Guardian

nyilamum song cycles is a concert experience featuring string quartet and voice that intertwines ancient stories and a celebration of language with contemporary reflections on land, identity, and resilience showcasing music from Yorta Yorta Dja Dja Wurrung Dr Lou Bennett AM, and Paul Stanhope.

Two works composed and performed by Dr Lou Bennett AM open this concert with an exploration of the deep connections between people, music and the land. jaara nyilamum is a sacred story of life, loss, and rematriation after 99 years of separation from Country. baiyan woka, which translates from Yorta Yorta language as ‘singing for country/land’, is birthed from the understanding that we are all connected. 

Dirrari Lament comes from Paul Stanhope’s String Quartet No.3 From the Kimberley, written after a multi-year collaboration with the Bunuba Community in the central-west Kimberley region of Western Australia. The work incorporates a Bunuba song "Dirrari Lament", with kind permission from the song’s custodians June Oscar and Patsy Bedford, which describes a mother Black Cockatoo grieving for the loss of her baby.

This program culminates with nyilamum song sycles, a collaborative First Nations-led work by Dr Bennett and Paul Stanhope. Through this work, the Quartet becomes the voice of Country, guiding nyilamum home to her final resting place amongst the treetops. Experience this significant collaboration for the first time in Melbourne.

nyilamum song cycles debuted at the prestigious 2024 String Quartet Biennale Amsterdam and garnered fivestar reviews from its Australian Premiere at the 2025 Adelaide Festival. It has since won a 2025 CreateSA Ruby Award (Outstanding Collaboration) and the 2025 Paul Lowin Song Cycle Prize, and was a finalist in the 2025 APRA AMCOS Art Music Awards (Chamber Music Work of the Year).

Content Warning: Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people are warned the subject matter of this performance includes stories of the deceased.

Praise for nyilamum song cycles

‘…the earth seemed to rip open and turned the Muziekgebouw into an enchanting universe…’ - De Nieuwe Muze

‘The standing ovation that greets nyilamum song cycles is justly deserved, and one must hope this mesmeric work will soon weave its magic around the entire country.’ - 5 stars, Limelight

‘…compelling and atmospheric across an absolute language barrier…’ - The Guardian
- **Event URL**: https://allevents.in/melbourne/nyilamum-song-cycles/200030327424408
- **Event Categories**: concerts, music, entertainment, festivals, art
- **Interested Audience**: 
  - total_interested_count: 967

## Ticket Details


## Event venue details

- **city**: Melbourne
- **state**: VI
- **country**: Australia
- **location**: Melbourne Recital Centre
- **lat**: -37.824043121932
- **long**: 144.96749880725
- **full address**: Melbourne Recital Centre, Performing Arts Complex, 13-43 Sturt St, Southbank VIC 3006, Australia, Melbourne

## Event gallery

- **Alt text**: nyilamum song cycles
  - **Image URL**: https://cdn-az.allevents.in/events1/banners/8865d6e58e22a2619111765e76845ab130d49fc8779ae97c4495e0b672093387-rimg-w1200-h1803-dc080808-gmir?v=1787512763

## FAQs

- **Q**: When and where is nyilamum song cycles being held?
  - **A:** nyilamum song cycles takes place on Wed, 02 Sep, 2026 at 07:30 pm to Wed, 02 Sep, 2026 at 07:30 pm at Melbourne Recital Centre, Performing Arts Complex, 13-43 Sturt St, Southbank VIC 3006, Australia, Melbourne.
- **Q**: Who is organizing nyilamum song cycles?
  - **A:** nyilamum song cycles is organized by Melbourne Recital Centre.
- **Q**: Who is this event for? Is it right for me?
  - **A:** nyilamum song cycles is ideal for live music fans, concert-goers, and anyone who enjoys unforgettable performances from their favorite artists in an electric live atmosphere. Whether you're a first-time attendee or a longtime enthusiast in Melbourne, this event is thoughtfully curated to deliver a standout experience worth every moment. With 960+ people already showing interest, this is clearly an event worth adding to your calendar - don't miss out.

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