Following the highly successful and moving premiere in Melbourne, PEACE is to be performed on the very battlefields where Monash's greatest victory took place, in Amiens, France in its centenary year.

I’ve long been a fan of John Monash and
as a musician, it felt natural to use colours
of sound, to illustrate significant events of
his life. Kevin’s poem inspired me to compose PEACE as an opera, but gradually the writing

took the form of a cantata; an en-masse piece
for multiple soloists, choirs and orchestra,
together representing the men, women
and children from the places he lived in
Melbourne and regional Victoria.

Following key themes of love of family and loyalty to country, PEACE  travels through the early years of life in Jerilderie to his student days at Melbourne University, as an engineer and business man in the heart of Melbourne, and as a soldier and leader of WWI Australian troops in Gallipoli and France. 

There are poignant moments in the work where the tragedy of war and its effect on Australia are starkly juxtaposed with the innocence of children’s songs and larrikin student ditties of his days at university.

This much-anticipated premiere saw an enthusiastic response with over 200 singers from community, schools and university choirs in Victoria participating in what was a memorable concert for everyone who knows and understands the impact John Monash has had on this city.  

David Kram

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COMPOSER

LIBRETTIST

David Kram is a distinguished conductor who has worked in Australia and internationally in Germany, Italy, France, Malaysia, Switzerland, Bulgaria, The Czech Republic and China. 
 

He has a repertoire of over 200 works, has conducted more than 30 orchestras and has collaborated with Richard Bonynge and Dame Joan Sutherland, Sir Charles Mackerras, Sir Mark Elder, Simone Young, Giancarlo Menotti and Lotfi Mansouri. 
 

Born in London, David studied composition and conducting at the Royal College of Music (London), at Luigi Ricci (Rome) and at Adelaide and Monash Universities where he completed his PhD.

Dr Kevin O’Flaherty graduated University of Melbourne before completing research and his joint PhD at University of Michigan.
 

After University appointments in USA and Australia, Dr O’Flaherty went into business, holding positions of CEO and director of Australian companies and organisations. He held top management positions with Federal and State Governments and in the private sector.
 

Dr O’Flaherty was a delegate to the Australian Olympic Committee 1995-2000. He embedded the Acclaim Awards at the Rotary Club of Melbourne (RCM) where he established the Monash Medal to honor annually a significant Australian for Leadership, Integrity and Service. He chairs 0808 Inc., and since 2005 convened annual RCM 0808 Commemorations of the Battle of Amiens at The Shrine of Remembrance. 

SOPRANO

MEZZO-
SOPRANO

BARITONE

BASS

FEATURING SOLOISTS
 AND SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA

Lisa Anne Robinson

Kristen Leich

Michel Laloum

Eddie Muliaumaseali’i

David Kram

Kevin O'Flaherty

ADULT CHORUS

YOUTH CHORUS

The adult chorus is made up individual singers and members of community and University choirs across Melbourne and regional Victoria. The following adult choirs are represented in PEACE:

Melbourne Chamber Choir, Cranbourne Chorale, Whittlesea Township Choir, La Trobe University Choral Society, 36 Degrees South, Monash University Choral Society, Da Capo Singers,
Temple Beth Israel Choir, The CHO!R

The childrens chorus is made up of members of Primary school choirs, high school choirs, and youth choirs across Melbourne and regional Victoria. The following youth choirs are represented in PEACE:
 

Bayles Regional Primary School Choir, Yarraman Oaks Primary School Choir, Mackillop Catholic Regional College Werribee Choir, Bendigo Youth Choir, Wodonga South Primary School Choir, Brighton Primary School Choir, Malvern Primary School Senior Choir, Camberwell Girls Grammar School and Scotch College.