Notre-Dame

A story of ritual, revolution and resurrection.

It only took one tiny ember to spark the destruction of 800 years of history when Notre-Dame de Paris was partially consumed by fire in April 2019, igniting collective grief for the iconic eras, moments, and characters embodied in her halls.

While fire has the power to destroy, it also cleanses and purifies. The ashes create a canvas and illuminate the path forward, to bravely begin anew. Battered, dilapidated and restored. Witness to both revolution and miracles, the cathedral on the Île de la Cité has been an epicentre of musical innovation and choral transcendence since the first stone was laid, and its enduring spirit deserves to be celebrated.

Spirited, soulful and unapologetically French, Notre-Dame commemorates eight centuries of exquisite music performed within Notre-Dame de Paris. It is a story told in a moving theatrical experience of spoken word penned by award-winning playwright and director Alana Valentine, spurring from the mind of Artistic Director Paul Dyer, and brought to life by orchestral and choral music from the cathedral’s rich history.

Notre-Dame goes beyond a story of grief and loss. Revel in an opportunity to raise our hearts together as we dig through the ashes of memories, affirming hope in the certain resurrection of the cathedral, and indeed the human spirit, to enter a brave new era.

Please note: Lock-out periods apply. Following the commencement of the performance, no entry or re-entry into the auditorium will be permitted for the duration of the performance. There is no interval.

• Program

  Tessier

  Quand le flambeau du monde quitte l’autre séjour

  Rameau

  Ouverture from Les Fêtes de Polymnie, RCT 39

  Janequin

  Au joly jeu

  Rameau

  Musette-Gracieux from Platée, RCT 53

  Pérotin

  Viderunt omnes

  De Sermisy

  Tant que vivray

  Lully

  Passacaille from Armide, Act 5 Scene 1, LWV 71

  Marais

  Sonnerie de Saint Geneviève du Mont-de-Paris

  Rameau

  Ouverture from Naïs, RCT 49

  Rebel

  Le Chaos from Les Éléments

  Campra

  Introite from Requiem^

  Von Bingen

  Extract from O virga ac diadema

  Ronzani

  l’aube*

  ^ Denotes Australian première
  * Denotes world première

• Artists

  Alana Valentine 

  Script, Director 

  Paul Dyer 

  Conductor, harpsichord, original concept 

  Australian Brandenburg Orchestra

  Brandenburg Choir

  Sean Bacon 

  Visual Designer 

  Trent Suidgeest 

  Lighting Designer