The Visitors

In this seminar Christopher Sainsbury discusses his new work The Visitors, an opera based on the play of the same name by Jane Harrison. It was commissioned by Richard Mills and the Victorian Opera for their 2023 season. Its influences are a blend of modernism and musical theatre, with considered Aboriginal musical elements, yet it is squarely opera. It was completed whilst Sainsbury was on OSP (study) leave January to June 2022, and at present he is completing the piano reduction for rehearsal purposes.  

The play by Harrison (a Muruwarri woman) and now the opera (with libretto created by Harrison) explores the internal matters of factions, divisions, agreements, etc within the Dharug/Eora people (Aboriginal people of Sydney) on the eve of colonization as they discussed ‘the Visitors’ (the English) approaching their shores in large nowees (canoes) on January 26, 1788. It is set in a camp in that last one hour prior to colonisation. These are the composer’s people. It is fictional, a piece of entertainment, although it is also based on the broader facts of the impact of colonisation. It unfolds through dramatic recitative, through cheeky recitative, and through a succession of comedic and also tragic songs as seven Aboriginal elders from seven clans around the region of Sydney discuss and argue about whether to shun or to welcome the visitors. It is imbued with aspects of Aboriginal customs, and Aboriginal humour.  

The forward impact of colonization is indicated by metaphors of birds falling from the sky, unusual storm intensity, and new sicknesses which the elders observe on the very first day. Even seeing such omens, the elders finally resolve to proceed with welcoming the visitors according to their customary law of welcoming 'myall' (strangers).  

Christopher Sainsbury composes in various genres, and his recent works include an opera The Visitors commissioned by Richard Mills for the Victorian Opera Company's 2023 season (with libretto by Jane Harrison), and Ocean Song – an album of ambient surf music with the Random Earth Band which features legendary Australian guitarist Guy Strazz and Chris on guitars. Some past commissions include works for the Australian Chamber Orchestra, for the Netherlands virtuoso duo Erik Bosgraaf (recorder) and Izhar Elias (guitar), as well as for the Central Coast Symphony Orchestra of NSW – his previous home. As a regionalist composer and as an Indigenous person composing music that responds to his home region is meaningful to him.  

Sainsbury is Associate Professor in Composition at the Australian National University (ANU) Canberra. He has received national and international awards for effecting change within the classical and new music industry, including the APRA National Luminary Award 2020 given for leadership of the Ngarra-burria First Peoples Composers program and the impact it has had upon the music industry, and a Classical:NEXT Innovation Award, from the largest gathering of classical and new music industry professionals in the world, awarded in May 2022, again for effecting change within the industry. He was also winner of the (Boston) New England Philharmonic Orchestra's Open Call for Scores in 2010-11. Going back, since the mid-1980s he has made a sustained contribution to Australian music through composing, teaching, advocating for the commissioning and programming of First Nations composers, and also advocating for the programming of all Australian composers. “It’s so clear that your work and guidance have been invaluable to help the ABC forge a deeper engagement with Australian composers.” (Matthew Dewey – Music Director, ABC Classic). An ABC Classic release of his works for guitar within small ensemble contexts are currently being recorded (Ken Murray guitar).