Where Song Began

A cinematic concert celebrating songbirds.

Described as 'spectacular' by Limelight Magazine in a 5-star review, Where Song Began is an iconic celebration of songbirds. The mesmerising program of music spans 300 years, from Bach and Schmelzer to Arvo Pärt and new commissions, enhanced by a film of evocative visual projections and immersive soundscapes.

Performed more than 100 times throughout Australia and internationally to rave reviews, this concert marks the long awaited Melbourne debut of The Bowerbird Collective, and celebrates the 125th birthday of BirdLife Australia.

Where Song Began offers audiences an unforgettable and deeply moving evening filled with the beauty, colour and sounds of the Australian landscape. Brought to life by virtuosic, passionate performers with extraordinary multimedia staging, this concert shines a light on our unique and precious birdlife and the evolution of song.

'A delicate and beautiful fusion' - BirdLife Magazine

'Like being sung to by the country' - Audience member

Ticket Prices

A Reserve $89
B Reserve $79
C Reserve $69
Under 30 $30

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

The Bowerbird Collective
Simone Slattery violin
Anthony Albrecht cello

The Bowerbird Collective makes art for nature. Their work has received international acclaim, and earned an APRA AMCOS Luminary Award in 2024. Their ARIA-nominated albums of threatened bird, frog and mammal calls, 'Songs of Disappearance', reached the top of the ARIA Album Charts ahead of Adele, ABBA and Ed Sheeran. Violinist Simone Slattery holds a PhD in Music Performance, has been awarded Churchill, Create SA and ANAM Ian Potter Fellowships, and performs regularly with Australia's finest ensembles. Cellist Anthony Albrecht was Australia's first graduate of The Juilliard School's Historical Performance program, holds a PhD in Conservation Biology, and enjoys an international performance career.

Program

Arvo Pärt
Fratres for solo violin, 1977

Sarah Hopkins
Reclaiming the Spirit, 1993

Vaughan Williams
The Lark Ascending, 1917

Chris Williams
bird, songs, seas, 2017

Ross Edwards
Ecstatic Dance No.2, 1990

Johann Heinrich Schmelzer
Cucu Sonata, 1664

J.S. Bach
Prelude from Cello Suite No.1, c.1720

David John Lang
Anthochaera carunculata (Red Wattle Bird), 2017

Ngarra Burra Ferra
Traditional Indigenous hymn