Stars Align for the Australian Premiere of Acclaimed Modern Work by Australian Composer Luke Styles at Australia’s Largest Jewish Congregation

Emanuel Synagogue is staging the Australian premiere of Custodians of the Sky together with a work by Kurt Weill, as the first initiative of the newly launched Emanuel Synagogue Foundation. The work brings together world-class performers with some of Australia's most iconic poets. The performance was originally commissioned by European Group Le Balcon, Australian tenor Michael Smallwood, Veronica and Don Aldridge, and donors via the Australian Cultural Fund, and was first performed to sold-out audiences in Paris at the Musée du Quai Branly in 2023. 

The moving modern work interweaves poetry, music, animation, light and sound recordings to interpret the Australian sky. The writings of Yidumduma Bill Harney of the Wardaman people form the backbone of the work. A prolific writer and artist, his collaboration has been central to the piece. His descriptions of the Australian night sky are complemented by the poetry of some of Australia's most important poets: David Malouf, Amanda Johnson, Renee Schipp and Margaret Bradstock. It is anticipated that many of the poets will attend the performance. The immersive audience experience weaves poetry from Indigenous and non-Indigenous writers, who worked with the composer to create an evocative and unforgettable soundscape of poetry and music.

Luke Styles is well known to Australian and international audiences. Fellow Australian tenor Michael Smallwood will join him. Smallwood has spent the majority of his career performing in some of the world's most revered opera houses and currently lives in Berlin.  He is joined by Opera Australia's bass baritone Adrian Tamburini and by renowned French conductor and composer Alphonse Cemin, who will direct the 14-piece orchestra from Ensemble Offspring. The soundscape is created by the Parisian sound designer Rémi le Thaillandier, with projected works by the Colombian artist Nieto.

Quotes

Grant McCorquodale, President of Emanuel Synagogue and Chair of the Emanuel Synagogue Foundation, said, "As part of living and celebrating our deep and rich culture, the Emanuel Synagogue Foundation is committed to hosting world-class cultural works to our engaged congregation, and 'Custodians of the Sky' is the latest such offering. Over two nights in November, the Millie Phillips Sanctuary will be transformed by this groundbreaking multidisciplinary performance, and offers a wonderful opportunity to open up our doors to the wider community to share with them the unique Emanuel Synagogue experience-a vital initiative to join together to celebrate Jewish and non-Jewish culture through this exceptional artistic musical expression."

Senior Rabbi Jeffrey B. Kamins OAM said, "Honouring the Jewish tradition of contemplating our place in creation, 'Custodians of the Sky' invites reflection on the land and the stars, and reminds us of Genesis 1, 14-18: God said, "Let there be lights in the expanse of the sky to separate day from night; they shall serve as signs for the set times—the days and the years; and they shall serve as lights in the expanse of the sky to shine upon the earth. And it was so. God made the two great lights, the greater light to dominate the day and the lesser light to dominate the night, and the stars. And God set them in the expanse of the sky to shine upon the earth, to dominate the day and the night, and to separate light from darkness. Following a historical High Holy Days season, this marquee event for our synagogue offers a beautiful artistic interpretation of our cherished Jewish spiritual texts and tradition."

Composer Luke Styles said, "Custodians of the Sky is an epic journey into space and the night sky, exploring its connection and uniting force for all of humanity, observed from the vantage point and through the lens of what we in Australia can see above us. Audiences will experience all of this through compelling and shifting musical setting of text, which crystallise this range of relationships to the night sky."

Tenor Michael Smallwood said, "Since leaving Australia more than 25 years ago, I have often been asked what I miss. Beyond friends and family, I always answer that I miss the Australian sky. It's vast beauty. No sun shines as clearly as the Australian sun, and nowhere can you appreciate the beauty and serenity of so many stars as in the Australian outback. Custodians of the Sky speaks to the almost spiritual connection Australians have to their sky and their stars. This can be as simple as observing the reflection of the moon in a pond at night, or as overwhelming as a night sleeping outdoors beneath the majesty of the Milky Way."
 

Credits

Composer - Luke Styles
Conductor - Alphonse Cemin
Tenor - Michael Smallwood
Bass Baritone - Adrian Tamburini
Musicians - Ensemble Offspring (14 Piece Chamber Orchestra)
Texts by Yidumduma Bill Harney (aka The Bush Professor), David Malouf, Margaret Bradstock, Amanda Johnson, Renee Schipp
Sound Designer - Rémi le Thaillandier
Video Artist and Projection Designer - Nieto
 

Event Details

Australian Premiere: Custodians of the Sky by Luke Styles with works by Kurt Weill

Wednesday 5 and Thursday 6 November 2025

7.45 pm

Emanuel Synagogue
7 Ocean Street,
Woollahra NSW 2025
 

Tickets

https://events.humanitix.com/custodians-of-the-sky?c=media


About Emanuel Synagogue

Founded in 1938, Emanuel Synagogue is Australia's largest Jewish congregation, known for its pluralistic, egalitarian, and inclusive approach to Jewish life. With a rich heritage and a commitment to innovation, Emanuel serves as a spiritual home to thousands and a leader in interfaith and social justice initiatives.

www.emanuel.org.au
 

Media Contact

Melba Proestos

Director of Marketing and Communications
Phone: 02 9389 6444
Email: melba@emanuel.org.au


Interview Opportunities

Luke Styles

Adrian Tamburini 
Michael Smallwood

Grant McCorquodale, Emanuel Synagogue President

Rabbi Jeffrey Kamins OAM, Emanuel Synagogue Senior Rabbi

 

Materials

Photos, headshots, video and project details can be downloaded here