The Sydney Sacred Music Festival and Sydney Olympic Park Authority deliver one of the most intriguing music events ever seen in Sydney. Three world class music performances from diverse cultures and faiths coming together to transform the inner state of the audience at Building 20 (the original Powder Magazine) the Armory.

Building 20 is a decommissioned ammunition chambers that were built to withstand strong vibrations from the outside. This unique construction now gives us the opportunity to engage and play with the reverberant nature of the three Chambers. 

Each Chamber produces a unique amazing sound!

Come on a musical journey with world class musicians in three amazing reverberant ammunition chambers, with music that traverses the sacred from Bach’s solo Sonata for Bassoon to the soprano sounds of Hildegard of Bingen and a Javanese inspired ceremony. 

Featuring:

Matthew Wilkie (Sydney Symphony Orchestra)

After studying in Germany, Matthew stayed in Europe to pursue a career with the world-renowned Chamber Orchestra of Europe, where he is still an active member, travelling to Europe 5 times a year.

Matthew joined the Sydney Symphony in 2000 as their principal bassoon. He has often performed as soloist both here and overseas and was a prize winner in the International Music Competition in Geneva.

Matthew is also well known as a chamber musician and teacher. He has been a guest at several music festivals and has given master classes all over the world.

Kim Cunio and Heather Lee 

have spent 20 years exploring sacred music in its many forms, and the intersection between medieval Islam, Judaism and Christianity. With a vocal range of 4 octaves and an array of forgotten instruments this is a rare opportunity hear spectacular commissioned works such as The Music of The Dead Sea Scrolls (Israeli Department of Antiquities and Art Gallery of NSW, The Temple Project (Melbourne Int. Arts Festival and Australian Jewish Museum), and The Sacred Fire, Music of Hildegard of Bingen (ABC Classics).

Ria Soemardjo (Melb).

Born in Melbourne of Australian/Indonesian descent, Ria Soemardjo has established herself in Australia as a skilled and sensitive performer of songs in the highly refined and soulful Javanese classical tradition. Ria draws on a deep respect for this tradition in her song writing and collaborative projects. Her distinctive vocal style and ability to absorb a diverse range of musical influences have led to regular collaborations with other highly respected 'world' music performers and composers such as Anne Norman, Adrian Sheriff, Tony Haynes (Grand Union project), Shannon-Goodrich Project, Chris Sprague and Glen Kniebeiss. Ria performs traditional and original repertoire with various ensembles around Australia as well as occasional solo accapella appearances.