BY STEPHANIE ESLAKE
The winter solstice marks the shortest day of the year. Fittingly placed for those who’d like to avoid the season’s chill entirely, don’t you think?
It can be easy to rug up with a warm cup of tea and a book, wishing for the icy evenings to speed by as quickly as possible so we can just get to spring already.
But Michaele Archer has instead chosen to celebrate this dark time of year with Songs of the Solstice; an event that’ll draw us out from our domestic hibernation and grace us with music, spoken word, and a glass (or two) of warming mead.
Michaele is the creative director of this arts event, which she says is largely inspired by the Icelandic landscape portrayed in Australian novelist Hannah Kent’s Burial Rites. At Songs of the Solstice, words from this book will be read live, among a full program that also features original music and visual art.
It’s an ambitious and collaborative event taking place on the Central Coast of New South Wales. In her break from her work as co-head and teacher of the Central Coast Conservatorium of Music vocal program, Michaele tells us how it all comes together as the solstice grows near.
Michaele, it’s lovely to chat with you. I’m in Tasmania right now, where we’ll also be celebrating the winter solstice with our Dark Mofo festival. Tell us why you wanted to design a big event to pay homage to this long, long winter’s night.
Dark Mofo sounds brilliant, from what I’ve heard! So many cultures have folklore and stories around winter and the solstice; such a sublime and mysterious season. It’s exciting to create an event around these themes. And I liked the idea of serving warm mead!
I understand you’ve also drawn from Iceland’s winter experience, which is portrayed in Burial Rites by Hannah Kent. What’s this novel about and why did it resonate with you so strongly?
Hannah Kent’s novel is a spectacular, moody read about the last woman executed in Iceland in 1829. The way Hannah Kent evokes the Icelandic landscape is so real, you feel like you are right there.
There was a mash of inspirations bubbling away when composing for the show and also my EP Galatea, which includes ancient latin text; the poetry of Sulpicia, a little known Roman woman poet; the gorgeous mellow sound of my alto harmonium; and also, this feeling of the landscape in Burial Rites.
Our winter solstice event will include excerpts from the book, which will read in between song by actor/film maker Augusta Miller.
How do all these creative ideas translate to the shaping of an Australian winter experience?
The seasons obviously don’t change so dramatically in most parts of Australia like they do in Europe. Our event aims to convey that mood of deep winter with art and acoustic soundscapes.
So there’ll be music, visual media, and spoken word. Why did you want to create such a full and inclusive arts environment, rather than choosing to focus on one specific artform, such as music, in which you’ve forged your own career?
It was very much about drawing on the amazing artistic community here, and bringing us together to create something different.
The musicians include ABC recording artist ‘Cello Diva’ Sally Maer, virtuoso guitarist Giuseppe Zangari, violist Gabrielle Laura Steele, and Darcy Archer playing timpani and percussion. I’m playing harmonium and singing.
Artist Peter Baka has created a winter installation for the set, and the lighting and fantastic space at the gallery will add to the atmosphere and drama.
What has the collaborative process been like behind the scenes, ahead of the event’s culmination in the Gosford Regional Gallery?
It’s an incredible team of talent. There been a real kinship and generosity with all these amazing people. That great word ‘flow’ comes to mind.
For me, there’s been a few late nights writing out music. The initial compositions themselves came so easily; sometimes in a matter of minutes recording on my phone. Getting all the arrangements just right and the parts organised is the worky part.
I still don’t have Sibelius — I’ll get it one day — so I’m handwriting all the scores. I’ve made nice big staves so I feel like it makes the notes more readable. At least, that’s my theory!
What would you say is the main “goal” for this event, for talent and audiences alike? Are you interested in bringing together different artists, drawing audiences to the Central Coast, or something else entirely?
Our dream for the event is a bit of magic. Hopefully, the night of the winter solstice will bless us with a little sprinkle of that! It’s something that takes us outside of the everyday; to change a mood or thought; to move us. That’s the ultimate: as performers, to become one with the moment and each other — to abandon all fear, and let fly!
This event is supported by a number of arts bodies, one of which is the Central Coast Conservatorium of Music, where you’re also head of the vocal program. It must be inspiring for students to see their teacher create such an event within their community! To young musicians who come along, what do you hope they’ll learn?
For young musicians, the message is to take chances and keep making music. It takes practice, striving, and technique. But when it all comes together, there is nothing like it.
Celebrate the winter with Songs of the Solstice at the Gosford Regional Gallery, 7pm June 22.
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