Nyilamum Song Cycles

'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

Ticket Prices

Premium $70
A Reserve $60
B Reserve $50
Under 40 $40
Mobtix $20

A Transaction Fee between $4 and $8.50 applies to orders made online and by phone. Delivery Fees may also apply. A ticket limit of six is in place online to ensure fair ticket access for all. Want to bring a bigger party? Call our Box Office during business hours on (03) 9699 3333 to book.

Artists

Dr Lou Bennett AM voice

Australian String Quartet
Dale Barltrop violin
Francesca Hiew violin
Chris Cartlidge viola
Michael Dahlenburg cello

Program

Dr Lou Bennett AM (arr. Iain Grandage)
jaara nyilamum*

Dr Lou Bennett AM (arr. Iain Grandage)
baiyan woka 

Molly Jalakbiya & Paul Stanhope 
Dirrari Lament**

Dr Lou Bennett AM & Paul Stanhope
nyilamum song cycles***

*jaara nyilamum commissioned as part of Quartet & Country, a commissioning project by the Port Fairy Spring Music Festival and its 2016-2019 Artistic Director, composer Iain Grandage, UKARIA and the Australian String Quartet

**Melody for Dirrari Lament composed by Molly Jalakbiya. Used with permission of the custodians of this song, June Oscar and Patsy Bedford (Bunuba Community, Western Australia)

***nyilamum song cycles was commissioned by the ASQ with generous support from the nyilamum song cycles Commissioning Circle and other donors

Performed in Dja Dja Wurrung, Djab Wurrung and Yorta Yorta languages.

We acknowledge the Jaara Community and the stories they hold.