What's on

Support Us

Learning & Engagement

Learning & Engagement

ACO Pier 2/3

ACO Pier 2/3

The orchestra

Discover More

River

River

A cinematic odyssey exploring the waterways that have shaped our world, in all their majesty and fragility.
River
1 - 16 February 2024

★★★★★ “This richly conceived and persuasively presented plea for the life of the planet demands serious attention.” – The Age

★★★★★ “a powerful, spellbinding marriage of music and image” – Limelight

For millions of years, rivers shaped landscapes and sustained communities. In flow, flood and drought, rivers gave life and carried it away. In two short centuries, humans have begun to re-shape rivers. We build dams upstream to sustain our cities. We alter flood plains and vary flows. Downstream, the changes can be catastrophic.

ACO Artistic Director Richard Tognetti and Director Jennifer Peedom follow their acclaimed Mountain with this cinematic exploration of the waterways that have shaped our world. On screen, the rivers flow in rhythm and harmony with music from outstanding composers. The result is an awe-inspiring combination of timeless music, captivating cinematography, and distinctive narration from award-winning actor Willem Dafoe.

The score features iconic works by composers including Bach and Ravel, music by Jonny Greenwood and Radiohead, and new original music by Richard Tognetti and peerless Indigenous composer William Barton. The soundtrack won ARIA & AACTA awards. Performed live by Richard Tognetti and the ACO, alongside Jennifer Peedom’s astonishing visuals, the effect is even more powerful.

Download Program

Pre-concert Talks

Program

River: film live in concert featuring music by Bach, Vivaldi, Mahler, Sibelius, Ravel, Thomas Adès, Pēteris Vasks, Richard Tognetti, Radiohead, Jonny Greenwood and William Barton.

ARTISTS

Richard Tognetti, Musical Director, Composer & Violin
William Barton, Composer, Vocals & Didgeridoo
Additional Composition by Piers Burbrook de Vere
Satu Vänskä, Vocals & Violin
Australian Chamber Orchestra

Jennifer Peedom, Writer & Director
Robert Macfarlane, Writer
Jo-anne McGowan, Jennifer Peedom, John Smithson, Producers
Joseph Nizeti, Co-Writer & Co-Director
Yann Arthus-Bertrand, Ben Knight, Sherpas Cinema, Renan Ozturk and Pete McBride, Principal Cinematography
Willem Dafoe, Narrator
Nigel Jamieson, Staging Director
Damien Cooper, Lighting Design

ACO Artistic Director Richard Tognetti

Richard Tognetti AO

Musical Director, Composer & Lead Violin

Richard Tognetti is Artistic Director and Lead Violin of the ACO. He has established an international reputation for his compelling performances and artistic individualism.

Richard has appeared as director or soloist with many of the world’s leading orchestras. He was Artistic Director of Slovenia’s Festival Maribor from 2008 to 2015 and the first Artist-in-Residence at the Barbican Centre’s Milton Court in 2016. In addition, he has curated and co-composed film scores including the ACO’s Mountain.

Read Full Bio

JenniferPeedom_Speaker_Edited

Jennifer Peedom

Director

Jennifer Peedom is a BAFTA nominated director, known for her gripping, intimate portraits of people in extreme circumstances. Jen’s credits include the internationally renowned feature documentaries Solo and Sherpa, as well as Mountain and River, created in collaboration Richard Tognetti and the Australian Chamber Orchestra.
DC6141_6306_William Barton _foto Keith Saunders copy

William Barton

Vocals, Didgeridoo & Guitar

For two decades, William Barton has forged a peerless profile as a performer and composer in the classical musical world, from the Philharmonic Orchestras of London and Berlin to historic events at Westminster Abbey for Commonwealth Day 2019, Anzac Cove and the Beijing Olympics. With his prodigious musicality and the quiet conviction of his Kalkadunga heritage, he has vastly expanded the horizons of the didgeridoo — and the culture and landscape that it represents.
ACO Principal Violin Satu Vanska

Satu Vänskä

Violin & Vocals

Satu Vänskä was appointed Principal Violin of the ACO in 2004. She regularly performs as lead violin and soloist with the ACO. Satu is also frontwoman, violinist and vocalist of ACO Underground, the ACO’s electro-infused, experimental spin-off band.
The Australian Chamber Orchestra on stage

Australian Chamber Orchestra

The Australian Chamber Orchestra travels a remarkable road. Making waves across Australia and around the world for its explosive performances and brave interpretations, the ACO embraces celebrated classics alongside new commissions, and adventurous cross-artform collaborations.
CONCERT duration
Approx. 80 minutes, no interval
Playlist by the ACO
Listen to River
Pre-concert talk times

Fri 2 Feb, 6:45pm


Sat 3 Feb, 6:45pm


Mon 5 Feb, 6:45pm


Sun 4 Feb, 1:45pm


Wed 7 Feb, 7:15pm


Sat 10 Feb, 6:15pm


Tue 13 Feb, 7:15pm


Wed 14 Feb, 6:15pm


Sun 11 Feb, 1:15pm


Mon 12 Feb, 6:15pm


Fri 16 Feb, 6:45pm


Richard Tognetti performs in River

Dive deeper

A mediation on evanescence

Artistic Director Richard Tognetti on the nature of rivers.
William-Barton_Photo-by-Keith-Saunders

Discover more

Deep Waters: interview with William Barton

Indigenous writer Tristen Harwood yarns with didgeridoo player William Barton about the profound roles of rivers.
LICENSED FOR PR - Yann Arthus-Bertrand - 637418834 - Copy

Long Read

Rivers of Paradise.

Environmental writer Huw Kingston explores why humanity needs to fight to keep our rivers alive.

Related Productions

ACO On Demand

Stream the ACO

ACO On Demand

Register now to access free content. ACO On Demand is the Australian Chamber Orchestra's official streaming platform and home of ACO StudioCast films, exclusive ACO In Concert broadcasts, stunning Pier 2/3 Session videos, and more.