Australian Music Centre | Breaking sound barriers

With a stunning intertwining of baritone voice and shimmering piano, Look To This Day is a joyous celebration of life and living in the present.

A new release from award-winning Australian composer Sally Greenaway, this new art song is superbly performed by Gunggari opera singer Don Christopher and pianist Anthony Smith.

Inspired by the traditions of Art Song, the lyrics draw upon a famous poem by Classical Indian Sanskrit poet Kālidāsa (5th Century CE):

For Yesterday is but a dream
And Today, well-lived
MakesTomorrow
A vision of hope...

Sally Greenaway has relished the opportunity to collaborate with one of Australia's leading baritone singers, saying that it has been a highlight in her creative career so far.

"Don has an exceptional voice - it's richly coloured and his expression of the text in music is perfect for the realising of Look To This Day."

Don Christopher (nee Bemrose), from Gunggari country (Queensland), has cemented himself as one of Australia's leading male opera singers. He is known for creating strong Aboriginal male operatic roles in new Australian operas, often working with Short Black Opera and Victorian Opera.

"It's exciting for me to work with someone of his world-class calibre. To hear his voice in the more intimate setting of an Art Song is really special," says Sally. "He has been an absolute joy to work with."

Pianist Anthony Smith is a gift at the piano, wielding a control with assurity that is hugely valued in his base of Canberra, Australia.

"Anthony and I have collaborated several times over the years, particularly with my chamber music works."

"The piano part for Look To This Day needs to weave around the vocal part and sometimes take the spotlight with a warmth and restrained grandeur, which Anthony captured perfectly."

The music video is beautifully captured by a talented team directed by Marisa Martin, with vivid colour work by Luke Patterson. The audio is superbly recorded by Duncan Lowe with mastering by Kimmo Vennonen.