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The last concert from the Seven Words series was the glorious crown of the set. A masterpiece by Scottish composer James MacMillan was the sole focus of the performance. This exceptional contemporary composer has just turned 50 but carries an immense depth of Christian insight in his heart, which permeates every tone of his music. The cantata “Seven Last Words from the Cross” (1993) has the freshness of contemporary music and the splendour of the best music ever written.

The composer has combined the seven last utterances of Christ with excerpts from the Bible, enabling the listener to experience this ancient text anew. In MacMillan’s hands forgiveness becomes an oath; Christ’s order - mighty thunder; His knowledge of paradise – meek adoration; His despair – extreme descent; His thirst – whispering drops; His resolve – firm wisdom, and His surrender – total peace.

Under the skilled baton of Richard Gill, the Victorian Opera Chorus and the Orchestra of the National Academy executed the music to perfection and allowed the sound to liberate the cathedral space. MacMillan’s music is unexpectedly dramatic, even operatic at times. Some of the best Melbourne voices were in the choir, delivering with precision and sensitivity the variety of vocal styles featured in the music. The orchestra accompanied the narrative with rich textures, displaying extreme dynamics and violent tremolandi, reduced to moving melodies and gentle pizzicati. Silence was essential throughout the piece. It was so masterfully invoked at the end, that the packed cathedral remained quiet for a while, the awestruck audience hesitant to break into applause.

The lit hexagon structure of Bluebottle’s Ben Cobham was now suspended above the orchestra and the singers; at last, with all its seven arms open. Additional seven floor spotlights projected onto isosceles triangular screens, made of wood, gave warmth to performance space in the big cathedral. The meaning of the central symbol of the series’ theme, the number seven, abundantly interpreted and exhausted shone in its fullness, perfection and contemplation. The arts are accomplished in representing all that there is in the material world, in the human heart and, through symbols, to point to that which is beyond.


Presented by Melbourne International Arts Festival, Australian National Academy of Music and Victorian Opera
Seven Last Words from the Cross
James Macmillan

Conductor Richard Gill

Venue: St Patrick's Cathedral, Albert Street EAST MELBOURNE
Date/Time: 16 Oct at 9:00pm
Tickets: $30.00 - $25.00
Bookings: Ticketmaster 1300 136 166


Read our review of Seven Words: Sofia Gubaidulina»
Read our review of Seven Words: Joseph Haydn»