Compassion Feat. Lior
A symphony of universal peace and love.
Inspired by the poetry and teachings of ancient Islamic and Jewish texts, Compassion explores how mercy, kindness and love can liberate and unite across the dividing lines of fear and mutual misunderstanding. Westlake's moving orchestral song cycle rises up through singer-songwriter Lior's powerful, soulful voice.
“Compassion inhabits a vast array of emotions and colours, at times pulsating and riotous, at others reflective and textural, and draws upon the myriad of influences the two of us have been able to bring to the table from our incredibly diverse backgrounds. With the utmost respect, we have tried to imbue the ancient texts with a contemporary interpretation, adhering to the purity of a single voice and orchestra.” — Nigel Westlake
Compassion does not seek to dictate or be a political work, but to enlighten. Westlake and Lior have created a truly unique work that invites audiences simply to open their hearts and come together through the practice of compassion.
Performed by the Conservatorium Symphony Orchestra, conducted by London-based, Australian conductor Kelly Lovelady.
Dates & Times
1 Jan
Duration: 2 Hours including 20-minute interval
Venue
Queensland Conservatorium, Griffith University
Conservatorium Theatre, Queensland Conservatorium Griffith University
Accessibility
- Wheelchair Access
Credits
Kelly Lovelady - Conductor
Lior - Featured Vocalist & Co-composer (with Nigel Westlake)
Image by Alice Healy
Artists
Lior Attar
Aside from writing and releasing original albums, Lior has developed a keen interest in collaboration and diversification. In 2013, Lior collaborated with renowned composer Nigel Westlake in writing a song cycle for voice and orchestra titled ‘Compassion’ consisting of original melodies and orchestration set to ancient Hebrew and Arabic texts centred on the idea of compassion. Commissioned by the Sydney Symphony Orchestra, the work was premiered by Lior along with the Sydney Symphony Orchestra at the Sydney Opera House in late 2013 and subsequently went on to tour nationally with all the major state orchestras, including a performance at the Sidney Myer Music Bowl with the Melbourne Symphony Orchestra in early 2014. Furthermore, the first half of these orchestral shows featured a collection of Lior’s songs from across his own album catalogue, with new orchestral arrangements and interpretations performed by Lior with the respective state orchestras.
In 2022, Lior worked once more with Nigel Westlake on a follow up orchestral work to ‘Compassion’. This time the pair teamed up with Yorta Yorta artist Dr Lou Bennett in composing ‘Ngapa William Cooper’ - an orchestral work based on the heroic actions of Indigenous activist William Cooper. ‘Ngapa William Cooper’ premiered at the Adelaide Festival in 2023 and went on to tour with all the major Australian orchestras throughout 2023 and 2024. Lior also teamed up with Ade Vincent once more in 2023 to write ‘To Be Human’ - a work for electric guitar and string orchestra which toured throughout Victoria in late 2023 and is set for recording in late 2024.
Lior released his sixth solo studio album - ‘The Blue Parade’ in Sept 2024.
Kelly Lovelady
Kelly Lovelady is an Australian conductor-curator and cultural activist with a passion for experimental programming, concert dramaturgy and composer advocacy. She is the founding Artistic Director of Ruthless Jabiru: a chamber orchestra of Australasian musicians in the UK forging projects which explore humanitarian and social justice stories through New music. Lovelady has devised, self-produced and conducted massed musical and cross-artform projects for festivals around the world and is in demand in the UK and abroad as a Musical Director and Guest Conductor with a focus on contemporary repertoire and composer collaboration. Career highlights have included repeat invitations to Cluster New Music & Integrated Arts Festival (Canada), Cortona Sessions for New Music (Italy), Art Pop at Pop Montreal International Music Festival, Grimeborn Opera Festival (UK) and City of London Festival; conducting members of London Symphony Orchestra side-by-side with Guildhall School Orchestral Artistry students; assisting an all-Gloria Coates programme with BBC Scottish Symphony Orchestra; Assistant Conductor for George Benjamin’s Written on Skin at Theater und Orchester Sankt Gallen; headline billing at Joy & Dissent Festival of Cultural Activism (UK); performance interventions for Greenpeace; masterclasses with London Sinfonietta; and a jump in as rehearsal conductor for Simon Rattle’s Young Orchestra for London.