Following the vibrant celebration in Jakarta, Australia is set to commemorate the 75th anniversary of its diplomatic relationship with Indonesia in Sydney. This cultural exchange, organized by the Australian Institute of Music (AIM), will showcase the enduring friendship between the two nations through a special musical performance on August 12th at 6 p.m. The event will take place at AIM’s Sydney campus, located at Nurses Walk, The Rocks.

While the Jakarta event featured a collaboration between the Melbourne Symphony Orchestra (MSO), pianist and composer Ananda Sukarlan, and soprano Mariska Setiawan, the Sydney celebration will present Sukarlan's compositions, though the composer himself will not attend due to scheduling conflicts. Instead, his music will serve as a symbol of the harmonious relations between Australia and Indonesia, performed by AIM's esteemed professors, alumni, and students.

The evening's program will include a rendition of Sukarlan's "Two Australian Songs," a piece that has garnered international attention since its premiere in Jakarta. Mezzo-soprano Emma Norton will lend her voice to this Australian premiere, accompanied by a string quartet featuring Jennifer Palomera Hernandez, Aurell Marcella Felicia (violins), Julian Kwok (viola), and Nazli Sendergut (cello). Aurell Marcella, an Indonesian AIM graduate and accomplished violinist, will also perform Sukarlan's "Fantasy on Tapanuli Folksongs" alongside pianist Novita Jap, another Indonesian AIM alumnus residing in Sydney.

The event will be attended by representatives from the Indonesian Consulate General in Sydney, who will deliver opening remarks, alongside other consular staff. This gesture underscores the significance of cultural diplomacy in strengthening bilateral ties.

Ananda Sukarlan, a pianist hailed by the Sydney Morning Herald as "one of the world's leading pianists (…) at the forefront of championing new piano music," has had a profound impact on the Australian classical music scene. Esteemed composers like Peter Sculthorpe and Elena Kats-Chernin have dedicated works to him, solidifying his reputation as a vital interpreter of contemporary piano repertoire. His orchestral piece, "The Voyage to Marege'," explores the historical connections between Indigenous Australians and early Bugis and Makassar sailors, reflecting his deep engagement with Australian culture.

Aurell Marcella, the violinist featured in the upcoming performance, is a recent graduate of AIM with a Master of Music in Violin Performance. Marcella has an impressive resume, including her role in the G20 Orchestra's debut at the G20 Conference's Gala Concert in Borobudur Temple, Indonesia. Currently, she performs with various ensembles in Australia, such as the Sydney Youth Orchestra and the Sydney Concert Orchestra. Her early musical journey began in Surabaya, Indonesia, where she studied under prominent instructors before continuing her education at AIM.

The event promises to be a celebration of cultural exchange and the enduring friendship between Australia and Indonesia, highlighted by the evocative compositions of Ananda Sukarlan and the talented musicians of AIM. As both nations reflect on 75 years of diplomatic relations, this concert stands as a testament to the unifying power of music.