A world premiere of Wuyal’s Journey headlines Darwin Symphony Orchestra’s Darwin Festival performance Heaven and Earth 

The Darwin Symphony Orchestra (DSO) is excited to announce the world premiere of Wuyal’s Journey, as part of their forthcoming concert Heaven and Earth, presented in collaboration with the Darwin Festival and supported by Charles Darwin University, their First Nations Lead Sponsor. 

This landmark performance showcases a powerful collaboration between DSO Composer in Residence Netanela Mizrahi and Rirratjiŋu songman Banula Marika, bringing to life the story of Wuyal, the Sugarbag Man – an ancestral being from northeast Arnhem Land. Through music, dance, and storytelling, Wuyal’s Journey traces his quest for wild honey, weaving cultural legacy and contemporary orchestral brilliance in a Northern Territory-commissioned work. 
 
Netanela Mizrahi reflects on the privilege and complexity of working with sacred Rirratjiŋu songlines, “To be trusted with sacred aspects of Rirratjingu culture is an enormous privilege. Musically, spiritually, and in every way, these songlines are complex and complete on their own. So, my most important task as a composer in this collaboration is to listen. Sometimes I might think I understand an aspect of the story that Banula shares, but I learn that there are depths and layers of understanding that come with time and trust, and some that will never be mine to learn.” 

Mizrahi also discusses the challenges of integrating the orchestra with the nuanced songlines, “An orchestra is a big, loud, impressive being for telling story, but these songlines are complex and nuanced, and really require the orchestra to be at the service of the story and songlines, to create space and support the spirit of the story, without taking anything away. Banula and I, the dancers, and the musicians of the orchestra are feeling the rewards of the challenge to create this work for an orchestra in ways that help an orchestra and an audience to hold an essence rather than a complete understanding of the epic nature of Wuyal’s creation journey.” 

Mizrahi expresses gratitude for DSO’s commitment to the collaborative process, “I’m particularly grateful that DSO have valued the role of time and relationship in the development of this work. Leading up to the performance, DSO’s musicians have been spending time sitting in conversation, learning from Banula too, and I am so impressed that Jon Tooby and DSO have valued this vital step of the creative process, embedding time for listening and learning in this way, into our compositional process and rehearsal program. Building a trusting, listening relationship is more important than learning the notes in a collaboration like this. I am proud of the deep listening that it brings out in us all, a capacity that feels like something our whole world needs more of right now.” 
 
This journey from the earthly lore to the celestial wonder is beautifully encapsulated in the second half of the concert in Gustav Mahler’s transcendent Symphony No. 4. This symphony, known for its ethereal beauty and spiritual depth, provides a fitting conclusion to the evening. The final movement, featuring soprano Jessica Blunt in a radiant solo, portrays a child’s vision of heaven, filled with innocence and wonder. 

The combination of Mahler’s sublime music and Blunt’s luminous voice promises to elevate the audience to a state of awe, perfectly complementing the themes of Heaven and Earth. This performance invites audiences to embark on a journey between the spiritual and the sublime, celebrating connection, place, and transcendent artistry. 
 

Event Details 
Date: Saturday, 23 August 
Location: Darwin Entertainment Centre 
Tickets now available: https://tickets.yourcentre.com.au/Shows/Darwin-Symphony-Orchestra-Heaven-and-Earth  
 
Additional ticket information: 
Save with a Festival Multipack 
Save 10% when you buy full priced tickets to 4 or more Darwin Festival events in the same transaction (applies to Duck Pond, 2025 National Indigenous Music Awards, Bangarra Dance Theatre Illume, Opera Australia La Bohème, Shamrock Tenors and Darwin Symphony Orchestra Heaven and Earth). 
 

About Netanela Mizrahi 
Netanela Mizrahi is the Composer in Residence of the Darwin Symphony Orchestra, on unceded Larrakia land. For her work in Indigenous communities, Immigration Detention and Palliative Care, Netanela was awarded a 2017 Churchill Fellowship (New York and Northern Ireland) to examine music practices in communities recovering from Trauma that support healing. Netanela’s practice and collaborations are recognised nationally for excellence in areas of social justice, education and human rights. As the Creative Director of the Djari Project in collaboration with Galpu songman Mr Gurruwiwi, Netanela is a Northern Territory Human Rights Award finalist (2020), Australian Art Music award recipient for Excellence in Music Education (2020), and the winner of the 2021 National Indigenous Music Awards (Indigenous Language category).   
 
About Banula Marika 
Banula Marika is a celebrated song man, dancer, actor, and performer from Yirrkala in North East Arnhem Land. A proud Rirratjiŋu clan member of the Yolŋu people and son of Roy Marika, Banula has been a driving force in sharing First Nations culture through performance for over three decades. He has toured with Bangarra Dance Theatre since the 1990s and performed with Yothu Yindi, contributing vocals to their iconic song “Treaty.” His screen credits include Jindalee Lady and Bedevil, and he has served as a cultural consultant for landmark works including Ochres (2020) and Morning Star (2012–13). As cultural custodian of manikay and buŋul, Banula collaborates with Gary Lang NT Dance Company, Tracks Dance Company, and Miku Performing Arts, honouring ancestral stories and enriching contemporary stages. His work bridges generations and celebrates the enduring strength of Yolŋu culture.