Custodians of the Sky is a new Australian work by composer Luke Styles that invites audiences to journey among the heavens and the earth, exploring our shared imaginings of the universe through the power of music and poetry.

At Emanuel Synagogue, this production takes on special resonance. Honouring the Jewish tradition of contemplating our place in creation, the work invites reflection on the land, the stars, and our enduring connection to the wonders above. Through music, poetry, and soundscapes from Australian stargazing sites, Custodians of the Sky celebrates how different cultures—including the Jewish tradition—interpret the mysteries of the cosmos and seek meaning under the night sky.

Custodians of the Sky was commissioned by French ensemble Le Balcon and Australian tenor Michael Smallwood, premiering in Paris in 2023. Smallwood and conductor Alphonse Cemin are joined by Bass-Baritone Adrian Tamburini to bring the work to Emanuel Synagogue.

Completing the artistic team is Ensemble Offspring, the renowned Sydney based ensemble known for their innovative performers.

The score is overlayed throughout with recordings from Australian stargazing sites. Working with these recordings, the Parisian sound-designer Rémi le Thaillandier has created a 3-dimensional soundscape, with sounds of the bush coming from all parts of the theatre, including from above.

This is complemented by animated projections by Colombian-born video artist Nieto, adding his perspective as an outsider on the overwhelming beauty of the Australian sky.

The text is drawn from living Australian writers and framed by the writings of Indigenous astronomer Bill Yidumduma Harney and Hugh Cairns (Dark Sparklers), alongside five contemporary poems transformed into song:

Stars by David Malouf
Skywatchers by Margaret Bradstock
Perspective Passes Over Us by Renée Pettitt-Schipp
Moon by A. Frances Johnson
The Moon via Telescope by Margaret Bradstock

As we gather beneath the same sky, Custodians of the Sky offers a poetic invitation to explore the interplay between tradition, land, and the infinite heavens—a reflection deeply meaningful for the Jewish community and all who seek connection through art and story.

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Custodians of the Sky - Luke Styles

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