Nexus Arts Orchestra celebrates Unley's 150th

Published on 16 May 2021

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NEXUS ORCHESTRA A HIGHLIGHT IN UNLEY’S 150TH

As part of Unley’s 150th celebrations, the City of Unley’s Open House program is hosting the exciting Nexus Arts Orchestra at the iconic Capri Theatre in May.

Unley Mayor Michael Hewitson said the event was another opportunity for everyone to come together and take advantage of this special event to celebrate the City’s sesquicentenary.

‘We’ve had some amazing performances and this concert will be another special one – I’d like to personally extend an invitation to everyone in our community to come along and be entertained.’

The heritage Art Deco Capri Theatre will provide a stunning backdrop and perfect location for this special performance by the Nexus Arts Orchestra, a truly contemporary ensemble of musicians who came together through their connection to Nexus Arts, Adelaide's leading intercultural arts organisation.

The orchestra brings together global artists who now call Adelaide home. Their concerts entrance audiences with their original line-up of performers and instruments from diverse traditions.

Conducted and led by ensemble director Julian Ferraretto, the show will feature original works by First Nations singer and composer Vonda Last, Sufi singer and composer Farhan Shah and an array of other talented company members.

‘This is unlike any ensemble I’ve every worked with’ said Julian. ‘We have master musicians playing instruments from all around the world, with all those cultures and stories in the one orchestra’.

This one-off performance will also feature a new composition written by Julian, especially for the Nexus Arts Orchestra as a tribute to Unley’s sesquicentennial.

‘For this concert in Unley, we will be combining a new work with one of singer Vonda Last’s songs. When I write for this ensemble I try and take advantage of the incredible colour that each instrument brings – working with Chinese harp, santoor, shamisen, oud and djembe can combine so beautifully with string quartet, percussion, trumpet and voice, and the result is truly astounding’ he said.

Julian also paid tribute to the venue. ‘I’ve had the pleasure of performing at the Capri before. It is an Adelaide institution and you feel the gravity of that when play on its stage. If only our whole orchestra could rise out of the floor like the organ does’ he jokes.

If you have not seen the Nexus Arts Orchestra before, this band of multitalented musicians and singers will deliver an unforgettable experience, in a musical journey from ancient origins through to contemporary, high energy fusion, all performed by an ensemble of world music exponents who bridge the music, dance and poetry styles of South Asia, the Middle East and Europe.

Event details:

Sunday 16 May

3-4pm (doors open at 2:30pm).

Capri Theatre, Goodwood Road, Goodwood.

The concert is free but bookings are essential.