MUSICA VIVA AUSTRALIA PRESENT: PETER COLEMAN-WRIGHT AND NEXAS QUARTET

COMPOSERS IN EXILE: EXPLORING THE MUSIC NAZIS BANNED

Composers in exile is a musical and theatrical exploration of one of the darkest times in European history. As the Weimar Republic descended into chaos, the people escaped into hedonistic abandon and an explosion of creativity. Under this easy cover, the Nazi Party slowly slithered into power. With Hitler’s ascent, Germany’s greatest composers fled to seek freedom in the four corners of the world.

Peter Coleman-Wright and Nexas Quartet take audiences on a musical journey following these exiles from Berlin and Vienna to New York and beyond with a mixture of political songs from the Weimar period, the musical theatre of Weill and the cabaret and song from Stolz and Schreker. These songs capture the spirit of the times: defiant, soulful and searching, but also capable of moments of exuberant joy and hope.

BARITONE PETER COLEMAN-WRIGHT AO SOPRANO SAXOPHONE MICHAEL DUKE ALTO SAXOPHONE ANDREW SMITH TENOR SAXOPHONE NATHAN HENSHAW BARITONE SAXOPHONE JAY BYRNES

“COMPOSERS IN EXILE IS A RICH, ENTERTAINING STEP BACK INTO THE WEIMAR ERA, GUIDED BY THE BRONZED SOUNDS OF THE MUSICALLY WELL-MATCHED PETER COLEMAN-WRIGHT AND THE NEXAS QUARTET. WELL WORTH CHECKING OUT.” Angus McPherson, The Buzz

RUNNING TIME 90 mins including interval

AGE RECOMMENDATION 13+