We all know just how much music is capable of stirring the emotions and affecting us; it can send us soaring with delight, fizzing with energy or into floods of tears. So it seems fitting that Sydney Town Hall should host a Concert for Life in a bid to raise awareness and funds for suicide prevention in Australia this Thursday 10th September: World Suicide Prevention Day.
This majo
r classical music event has been put together by impresario and conductor Roger Benedict who has gathered together an incredible line-up of some of Australia’s finest musicians to perform a night of glorious music at the magnificent Sydney Town Hall, including world-renowned Oboist Diana Doherty of the Sydney Symphony Orchestra, who will star as a soloist.
Peter Milne, one of the creative forces behind Vivid, is also creating some beautiful videos to be projected onto the Town Hall Organ in the concert – his young daughter tragically took her own life 18 months ago.
The concert aims to put the spotlight on the growing issue of suicide in Australia as well as raise funds. In fact, all profits from the event this Thursday will be donated to Lifeline and Suicide Prevention Australia to be spent on much needed research and education programs. Deaths by suicide have reached a 10-year peak, equating to almost seven deaths per day in Australia and remains the leading cause of death for Australians aged 15 to 44.
Conductor and Artistic Director for the Concert for Life, Benedict says “I know well the heartbreak and grief associated with suicide. It is these personal experiences that have motivated me to create Concert For Life, which combines my passion for music with my determination to lower the statistics of death by suicide in our country.”
Benedict has programmed a repertoire of Mozart, Beethoven and Prokofiev for the concert. He noted suicide was as prevalent in the time of these music greats than it is today.
“Mental illness doesn’t discriminate. Even the great Beethoven struggled with suicidal thoughts, which he detailed in a letter to his brother as his hearing declined,” said Benedict.
Lifeline Australia Chairman and former NSW Liberal Leader John Brogden AM, will also participate in the concert, reflect on the issues of suicide and his personal experiences during the concert.
“I am personally thankful for organisations such as Lifeline and Suicide Prevention Australia for the support they provide. Far too many Australians are affected by suicide, so I praise Roger for creating this uplifting way to bring people together to recognise and support such an important cause,” John Brogden said.
Concert For Life
Sydney Town Hall,
September 10 2015, 7:30pm
Tickets for Concert For Life are available from Ticketek. Visit www.ticketek.com.au/concertforlife or call 132 849.
For more information on the Concert For Life program visit concertforlife.com.au.
Leave a Reply