Image: Tenzin Choegyal by David Kelly and Tenzin Kunsang, Hunter, supplied by the Artist.
Saturday 12 December, 6.30PM
Benalla Art Gallery is pleased to present a special, one-off concert performance featuring two acclaimed Tibetan performers, Tenzin Choegyal (Australia) and Tenzin Kunsang (Japan). They come together to present Whispering Sky – Infinite space of possibilities, an evening of music and dance that crosses cultural boundaries and conjures images of Tibet’s high plains and mountain peaks.
Kunsang is a classically trained performer, while Tenzin’s talent as a singer-songwriter has established him as one of the most significant Tibetan performers on the international stage. Drawing on their common heritage, Tenzin Kunsang and Tenzin Choegyal have formed a special artistic and personal connection.
Tenzin and Kunsang share a belief in music as a universal form of communication and a powerful medium for cultural exchange. Through their music and warm explanations, they delight new audiences and loyal fans alike, taking them on a musical journey to the Himalayas, while also bringing Tibetan music firmly into a very contemporary setting. The result is a joyful celebration of dance, music, song and spirit.
If you’re drawn to music that speaks straight to the soul, this special performance of song, sound and spirit is not to be missed.
About the Artists:
A son of Tibetan nomads, Tenzin Choegyal has been on a life-long musical pilgrimage since his early years in Dharamsala, a refugee village in India. Now based in Brisbane, he draws on his nomadic roots to perform original compositions and spoken word, accompanied by his dranyen (Tibetan lute) and lingbu (bamboo flute). At the same time, he delves into diverse musical styles, pushing the boundaries both in the studio and on stage, along with an international cast of collaborators including Philip Glass and Laurie Anderson.
Tenzin Kunsang is a gifted singer dancer and multi-instrumentalist, with a broad repertoire ranging from Tibetan opera and folk music to his own original compositions. Now living in Nagano, Japan, Kunsang studied traditional music, dance and opera at the prestigious Tibetan Institute of Performing Arts in India. He plays dranyen, erhu, bansuri and other traditional instruments. His performances also include the elaborate costumes and choreography of traditional Tibetan dance. Colourful folk dances are a feature of many Tibetan festivals, while centuries-old ritual Cham (religious) dance is performed in monasteries and seen as a practice for purification and a joyful meditation in action.
When: Saturday 12 December, 6.30PM
Where: Benalla Town Hall, 82-86 Nunn St, Benalla
Price: $50 members / $55 non-members
Numbers are limited. Payment and registration essential.
To secure your place, book online below, visit the Gallery, call on 5760 2619, or email gallery@benalla.vic.gov.au
