River

For millions of years, rivers shaped landscapes and sustained communities. In flow, flood and drought, rivers gave life and carried it away. In two short centuries, humans have begun to re-shape rivers. We build dams upstream to sustain our cities. We alter flood plains and vary flows. Downstream, the changes can be catastrophic.

ACO Artistic Director Richard Tognetti and Director Jennifer Peedom follow their acclaimed Mountain with this cinematic exploration of the waterways that have shaped our world. On screen, the rivers flow in rhythm and harmony with music from outstanding composers. The result is an awe-inspiring combination of timeless music, captivating cinematography, and distinctive narration from Academy Award™ winner Willem Dafoe.

The score features iconic works by composers including Bach and Ravel, music by Jonny Greenwood and Radiohead, and new original music by Richard Tognetti and peerless Indigenous composer William Barton. The soundtrack won ARIA & AACTA awards.

Performed live by Richard Tognetti and the ACO, alongside Jennifer Peedom’s astonishing visuals, the effect is even more powerful.

River is a visceral experience that is both dream-like and urgent. At its one-off premiere performance in 2022, reviewers said – River does not request your attention. It demands your surrender.

SMH ★★★★

• Program

  River: film live in concert, featuring music by Bach, Vivaldi, Mahler, Sibelius, Ravel, Thomas Adès, Peteris Vasks, Richard Tognetti, Radiohead, Jonny Greenwood and William Barton.

• Artists

  Richard Tognetti

  Musical Director, Composer & Violin

  William Barton

  Composer, Vocals & Didgeridoo

  Satu Vänskä 

  Vocals & Violin

  Australian Chamber Orchestra

  Jennifer Peedom 

  Writer & Director

  Robert Macfarlane 

  Writer

  Jo-anne McGowan, Jennifer Peedom, John Smithson

  Producers

  Joseph Nizeti

  Co-Writer & Co-Director

  Yann Arthus-Bertrand, Ben Knight, Sherpas Cinema, Renan Ozturk and Pete McBride

  Principal Cinematography

  Willem Dafoe

  Narrator

  Nigel Jamieson

  Staging Director

  Damien Cooper

  Lighting Design