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No Friend But the Mountains

London Symphony Orchestra

Jonathan Lemalu looking at the camera

Inspired by Behrouz Boochani's book of his refugee journey and six-year-long incarceration in Manus Island, the LSO and Jonathan Lemalu give the UK Premiere of this heart-stopping song-cycle.   

Conceived for chorus, soloist, and large orchestra, his richly-imagined score unfolds across twelve impassioned songs and interludes, faithfully shadowing the trajectory of Boochani’s ordeal. Addressing aspects of Australian history and identity, ‘a work such as this changes a composer’ Styles confesses. ‘This will always stand out as a milestone work for me’. 

Boochani eventually secured asylum in New Zealand – Lemalu’s country of birth. A Kathleen Ferrier Award winner, and former Royal Philharmonic Society Young Artist of the Year, bass-baritone Jonathan Lemalu ‘is a joy… with an earthy voice to savour’ says The Times

The end time for this concert will be added here closer to the performance date

Produced by the Barbican

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