This song cycle was commissioned by Ernst & Young to mark the opening of a major retrospective of the works of Sidney Nolan, perhaps Australia’s best known artist, and was performed at the New South Wales State Art Gallery and the National Gallery of Victoria. The text is taken from the letters of Ned Kelly, Australia’s most notorious bushranger, who was hanged in Melbourne Gaol in 1880. Nolan identified himself with Kelly and painted a series of pictures of episodes in Kelly’s saga which have become icons of Australian art.
About the work
Instrumentation: Baritone and piano
Contents: I. To Sergeant Babington II. They know I have been wronged III. Bullock Creek IV. The murder V. In conclusion
I. Sergeant Babington
Sample duration: 0’27” / Full duration: 3’49”
II. They know I have been wronged
Sample duration: 0’20” / Full duration: 2’20”
III. Bullock Creek
Sample duration: 0’25” / Full duration: 2’59”
IV. The murder
Sample duration: 0’20” / Full duration: 4’47”
V. In conclusion
Sample duration: 0’17” / Full duration: 5’31”
