In July 2021, after a serendipitous encounter with Artistic Director Brendan Joyce, the award-winning First Nations singer/songwriter, Emily Wurramara, joined Camerata as a last-minute special guest. For us it was transformative, but also for our audience, and we continued to hear you tell us how much you loved us performing with Emily. We hoped that an opportunity would arise sooner rather than later to again work with the talented and soulful Emily.
Next week, we are excited to present a full-length collaboration with Emily that will feature a number of her songs arranged for chamber orchestra, as well as some Camerata favourites. We are so grateful to long-time supporter of Camerata, The Honourable Anthe Philippides, whose donation has made this exciting artistic and musical collaboration possible, along with the support of our presenting partner, Brisbane Powerhouse, and dedicated supporters Tim Fairfax AC and Noela L’Estrange.
We spoke with Anthe recently about her love of the arts, her work in arts advocacy, and what she’s most looking forward to about our upcoming performance with Emily.
Anthe, you are an avid arts lover and advocate. What was the moment or experience where you remember being drawn to the arts?
There isn’t a particular defining moment. I have had a life-long connection with the arts through my parents’ love of the arts, and in that respect, I was very fortunate to able to appreciate even as a child how transformative the arts are.
Your love of the arts has seen you give back in so many ways to the Australian arts community. What draws you to dedicating time supporting and advocating for the arts?
I believe the arts are the barometer of the health of a community and society generally. The arts in all its diversity are essential to us all – without the arts we do cannot truly know ourselves or celebrate our humanity.
In 2017, you launched the Music and Arts Circle to help enable First Nations students and young professionals to experience classical music and provide networking opportunities. What has the experience been like for your members?
Over the years, many of those who have attended opera and classical music concerts have done so for the first time and it is wonderful to see how much they have loved the experience and meeting with others in a welcoming environment and building friendships.
What do you love most about Camerata, and why would you recommend attending this upcoming performance with Emily Wurramara?
I love that Camerata – Queensland’s Chamber Orchestra is committed to creating beautiful and captivating chamber music experiences not just in Brisbane but throughout Queensland. Their upcoming concert with Emily Wurramara is a must see.
I heard them perform together last year and they have a very special rapport and create an unforgettable dynamic. This concert reflects the wonderful evolution in Australian chamber music through engagement with brilliant First Nations musicians and composers that is creating a unique Australian sound and repertoire. This is a very exciting development and one that is resonating with audiences – who are flocking be part of the experience!
