Hymns for End Times was performed His Majesty’s Theatre, Perth/Karboordup on February 18th 2021 with the West Australian Symphony Orchestra and Voyces
Dease was less of a storyteller and more of a direct conduit for the state of our times. Her warm, clear vocals and serene stage presence rendered her sonically and visually enthralling, the audience would have easily followed her through to the end of days, pied-piper style. Moving, haunting, dark and ultimately unshakable. Limelight Magazine
The artists (designers, arrangers, performers and Dease included) who created this one-hour performance have somehow harnessed the power to stretch time, echoing Dease’s music and lyrics, which at points explored time’s passage and how we perceive it. She was as still as the moon, but also as majestic. Xpress Magazine
The album’s sliding pitches and swirling electronic hazes, and even the nostalgic scratches and hisses that evoke listening to an old LP, were ingeniously arranged by composers Alice Humphries, Mia Brine and Kathy Potter. Dease’s voice had intense clarity but also vague haziness, raw intimacy but also a cool aloofness, a melancholic darkness but also moments of golden splendour. Witness our story being told with magnitude and beauty. Seasaw Magazine
CREATIVE TEAM
Written & Performed by Rachael Dease
Arranged By Alice Humphries, Katherine Potter & Mia Brine
Musical Director Mia Brine
FEATURING
West Australian Symphony Orchestra
First Violin Laurence Jackson, Rebecca Glorie, Alexandra Isted, Christina Katsimbardis
Second Violin Akiko Miyazawa, Melanie Pearn, Louise Sandercock
Viola Alex Brogan, Rachael Kirk, Allan McLean
Cello Eve Silver, Oliver McAslan, Nicholas Metcalfe
Double Bass John Keene, Mark Tooby
Flute Andrew Nicholson
Clarinet Alexander Millier
French Horn David Evans
Trumpet Brent Grapes
Trombone Liam O’Malley
Percussion Brian Maloney, Francois Combemorel
Voyces
Soprano Retha Agenbach, Georgia Crowe, Jade Hansen, Kira O’Dell
Alto Rachel Doulton, Darcy Nidd, Cate Tweedie, Maduvanthi Venkatesan
Tenor Stefan Pugliese, Alex Wheeler
Bass Liam Auhl, Peter McUtchen
PRODUCTION TEAM
Set & Costume Designer Bruce McKinven
Lighting Designer Mick Rippon
FOH Engineer Jeremy Turner
Music Producer Tura New Music
Produced by Perth Festival
Hymns for End Times supported by the Minderoo Foundation and the Australia Council For The Arts, Department of Local Government, Sport and Cultural Industries Tura New Music’s annual program is supported by the State Government through the Department of Local Government, Sport, and Cultural Industries, in association with Lotterywest and The Australian Government through the Australia Council, its arts funding advisory body
Thank you to Joe Kapiteyn, Tristen Parr, Caris Harper, Tura New Music, The National Trust of Western Australia and Bundanon Trust.
Photos by Daniel Grant and Cam Campbell