Details

A mesmerising kaleidoscope of multi-lingual poetry, folk songs, movement, and ritual.

The Resonant Heart is a multi-disciplinary ensemble of international women and female-identifying artists who have united to share and create from their collective cultural and artistic knowledge. Forming an eternal sisterhood through this process, The Resonant Heart comprises Sudanese poet Nyaluelit ‘Lizzy’ Kuoth, Indian sitarist Sarita McHarg, Iranian artists Vahideh Eisaei and Elnaz Sheshgelani, and the Balkan and Sephardic Jewish music trio SARAY Iluminado Femme, featuring vocalist Nela Trifkovic, and instrumentalists Irine Vela and Kelly Dowall. Reuniting in 2024, these seven self-described Resonant HeArtists return to the stage to unveil an enchanting blend of cultural, poetic, and musical magic in this intimate Salon experience.

Envision a world that is simultaneously different and unexpected, yet intimately familiar. Through a mesmerising kaleidoscope of multi-lingual poetry, folk songs, movement, and ritual, this performance shares rich traditional storytelling and original music in Nuer, Hindi, Ladino, Bosnian, Farsi, and Serbian languages. From shadow puppetry to the sonorous qanun, sitar, Turkish ney flute and Creatan laouto, witness vibrant dancing to the rhythmic sounds of the Iranian frame drum in this sonic ritual of love and belonging.

This project has been assisted by the Australian Government through Creative Australia, its principal arts investment and advisory body.

Post-Concert Talk

Following the concert, please join the artists for a 15 minute multi-lingual Q & A. Languages spoken will be English, Farsi, Hindi, Greek, Nuer, Bosnian, Serbian, and Croatian.

Praise for The Resonant Heart

‘Trifkovic seemed to carry us all across time and distance, into a world entirely made of her haunting voice.’ – The Big Smoke Online Magazine

‘Sheshgelani performs dance-like movements and gestures, moving in and out of the space in a stylised gestural kind of dance, which is measured yet flowing, playing, and sometimes altering the elements of the set.’ – ArtsHub

Caring for Our Community

Melbourne Recital Centre is committed to the safety of our artists, staff and patrons. A range of public health, hygiene and physical distancing measures are currently in place. Click here to learn more.

Artists

Nela Trifkovic vocals, movement, frame drum
Irine Vela lute, vocals, frame drum
Kelly Dowall ney flute, clarinet, vocals, frame drum
Sarita McHarg sitar, vocals, percussion, movement
Vahideh Eisaei qanun, vocals, percussion, spoken word, movement
Elnaz Sheshgelani spoken word, vocals, movement, shadow puppetry