Presented by the Bowerbird Collective in association with the Nature Festival SA

‘Nocturnal’ is a 60-minute multimedia performance, an ode to the night, by outstanding solo guitarist Andrew Blanch. Featuring spectacular projected visuals, evocative lighting and nature soundscapes, this event is a not-to-be-missed feature performance of the Nature Festival 2024, and a South Australian premiere.

The winner of the 2019 Adelaide International Guitar Competition, Andrew Blanch is one of Australia's most thrilling young performers. Experience Andrew's astounding guitar playing at this performance in the iconic Elder Hall, immersed in the magic of the night.

To go in the dark with a light is to know the light.
To know the dark, go dark. Go without sight,
and find that the dark, too, blooms and sings,
and is traveled by dark feet and dark wings.
- Wendell Berry

What is the night? In essence, it is the Earth’s own shadow, obscuring half our world at any one time. However, this simple astronomical reality reflects only the surface of the night's significance.

‘Nocturnal’ is a show that shines a light in the darkness. We invite you to contemplate this side of our existence, that is as much a part of us as the day, and reflect on humanity's fateful project to banish the darkness from the night.

Sensuous and romantic, mysterious and melancholic, this spellbinding concert will leave you with eyes and ears wide open to the night.

Program:
Giulio Regondi Reverie-Nocturne Op. 19
Tristan Coehlo Nocturnal I*
Erik Satie Gnossiennes: No. 2, Avec etonnement
Tristan Coehlo Nocturnal II*
Tōru Takemitsu Equinox
Tristan Coehlo Nocturnal III*
Johann Sebastian Bach Fugue BWV 1001
Tristan Coehlo Nocturnal IV*
Benjamin Britten Nocturnal After John Dowland, Op. 70
* New commission
Program notes are available to download here.

60-minutes without interval

About the Performer:

Praised as a ‘rockstar of nylon-acoustic music’ (On Sounds), ‘the real deal’ (Classics Today), ‘dazzling’ (ArtsHub) and ‘brilliant’ (Limelight), Australian guitarist Andrew Blanch is as passionate as they come and has made it his mission to promote the unique beauty of the guitar far and wide.  He is a prizewinner in more than ten music competitions, including top prizes at the Whitworth-Roach Classical Music Competition (2015), Melbourne International Guitar Competition (2016), and the Adelaide International Guitar Competition (2019) dubbed the ‘most prestigious guitar competition in the southern hemisphere.’  In November 2019, Andrew was featured on the front cover of Australia’s premiere classical music and arts publication, Limelight, as one of ‘30 young Australian musicians destined for greatness’.

About the Bowerbird Collective:

The Bowerbird Collective makes art for nature. Their multimedia concert productions have received international acclaim, and their ARIA-nominated albums of threatened bird, frog and mammal calls, 'Songs of Disappearance', reached the top of the ARIA Album Charts ahead of Adele, ABBA and Ed Sheeran. For more information visit www.bowerbirdcollective.org

* The Bowerbird Collective & Andrew Blanch reserve the right to change the program without notice.