Discography


Hatred and History Synopsis Unfolding as a narrative cycle of operatic songs, the opera traces the disintegrating relationship between two French explorers of Australia. Stylistically, Hatred and History borrows from both chamber opera and radio drama; utilizing spoken voice, singing, Sprechstimme, music and sound design. Nicolas Baudin's expedition to Australia (then known as 'New Holland') departed France in 1800. He and Francois Peron, one of the expedition's scientists, are the two characters portrayed in Hatred and History. Baudin's part is sung by Bass/Baritone Mr Gary Rowley, whilst Peron's part is sung by Tenor Mr Erich Fackert. Hatred and History is structured in two acts. The first act is set against the outward journey of the expedition from France to Australia. It was a frustrating journey for Baudin as he was weighed down with scientists who had never been to sea before. There were many desertions along the way, and Peron found himself promoted to a senior scientist. Act two is set against the journey around Australia. The personal relationship between Baudin and Peron was already strained after the outward voyage, and in act two things get even worse as Baudin desperately tries to maintain control of the expedition.
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TRACK LISTING ACT ONE Prologue [1] Peron: No doubt it is admirable to collect the dormant moss... [2] Baudin: October the 19th, the year 1800. Wind from the... [3] Musical Cue: The Open Water Scene One: Speed [4] Baudin: November the 17th, the year 1800. The Naturaliste... [5] Musical Cue: Jellyfish and Time [6] Baudin: Later, whilst strolling around the quarter deck... [7] Musical Cue:Stolen Heart of Science Scene Two: Threshold [8] Baudin: March the 15th, arrival at the Île de France... [9] Musical Cue: The Expedition that Failed (recitative) [10] Baudin: April the 24th, we are finally leaving... [11] Musical Cue: The Open Water (reprise) - download sample* Scene Three: Objects [12] Baudin: Plan of itinerary for citizen Baudin, a memoir... [13] Musical Cue: Infant World [14] Baudin: The following day, a storm blew in from the South East... [15] Musical Cue: Waltz of the Zoophytes ACT TWO Scene Four: First Encounter [16] Musical Cue: Leeuwin's Land [17] Musical Cue: Seeds of a Solitary Walker (recitative) [18] Baudin: The evening of June the 6th, the other long boat... Scene Five: Mastery and Control [19] Baudin: July the 7th, at anchorage in the Bay of Sharks... [20] Musical Cue: Crabs in Command (recitative) - download sample* [21] Baudin: Some time after 5pm, several of us were talking... [22] Musical Cue: Periwinkles in the Sky Scene Six: Distance [23] Peron: February the 21st, two days I have spent surveying... [24] Musical Cue: Friendship and Fate [25] Peron: March the 19th, having returned once more... [26] Musical Cue: Physical Man - download sample* Scene Seven (Epilogue): Hatred [27] Peron: As we leave this land, the black columns of smoke... [28] Musical Cue: Smoke Between Us

*Audio samples are available in Mpeg3 format. Click on the link to automatically load, or right click and select "save target link" to save to your computer.

Text*, Music and Production: Mark Lyall

*Text adapted from an anonymous 1809 translation of Volume I of Peron's 'Voyage' and Christine Cornell's English translations of Baudin's journal and Volume II of Peron's 'Voyage'. The theme for the musical cue Leeuwin's Land was adapted from a transcription of an Aboriginal chant made by Benier, the expedition's astronomer; Museum D'Historie Naturelle catalogue number 16057.

Vocals recorded between the 22nd and 30th of January 2008 in the Media Studio at La Trobe University.

Special thanks to Margaret Purdam for her valuable assistance during the recording sessions.

PhD Supervisor: Dr. John Tebbutt

Cover photographs courtesy of Gary Rowley