Live Review: Nick Cave & Warren Ellis Put On 'An Evening Of Beauty' At The Sydney Opera House Last Night

Name a more iconic Australian duo than Nick Cave and Warren Ellis, who have collaborated so seamlessly for 25 years that you can hardly mention one without the other. Since Ellis was invited to play with Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds in 1993, the two have built a formidable musical relationship which has evolved into an unstoppable, unwavering holy bond. 

Not only have the pair collaborated consistently on albums since that serendipitous meeting, but they have created some hauntingly beautiful and dramatic film scores. This film music was presented last night by not only the Sydney Symphony Orchestra, but also no less than 30 members of the Sydney Philharmonia Choirs.

The almost two-hour show would take us on a visual and symphonic journey through six of the films soundtracked by Cave and Ellis. The sad and desolate violin from Ellis would guide us through The Proposition and we took a trip through Tennessee with the more contemporary and sparse sounds in West Of Memphis. Tracks from The Road, Hell Or High Water and Wind River combined with imagery from the films on the massive screens behind the orchestra immersed the audience into something more than a soundtrack. We felt like we were living it. 

Nick Cave @ Warren Ellis @ Sydney Opera House. Photo by Daniel Boud.

At times, we didn't know where to look – at the solemn and focused Cave, the eccentric and magnetic Ellis, the prodigiously talented orchestra, conducted by a faultless Nicholas Buc, or the visuals, which, when not showing the films, were giving us close-up images of Cave’s piano-playing hands or Ellis’ whip-fast bow. Wherever we looked, we were lost in the aura of the music, sometimes forgetting that the other components even existed. Except for the music. The music was all-encompassing and soundtracked an evening of beauty, wonder and exceptional nuance and timing.

The symbiotic connection that Cave and Ellis have was highlighted by the looks Cave gave Ellis as his virtuosic violin solos reverberated around the hallowed hall. Fervent applause after each track was given by the artists themselves, along with a spellbound audience. Occasionally the focused façade would crack and Cave would chuckle at Ellis as he threw his trademark kisses to the loving crowd. 

The addition of Opera Australia principal soprano, Julie Lea Goodwin – an impressive get – provided a soaring voice during the Wind River section, but it felt like she was underutilised in the scheme of the show, not that she was ultimately required when there were so many on stage with such talent, as showcased by various solos amongst the orchestra.

The culmination of the final piece, Song For Bob from The Assassination Of Jesse James By The Coward Robert Ford was like a groundswell of pure energy as the orchestra and choir lifted the roof off the building and gave us goosebumps. This spine-tingling finale was topped off with a one-song encore of Push The Sky Away to give the audience their one opportunity to sing along before their gratitude was heaped on the musicians with a raucous standing ovation.

There was a feeling of pure joy and ecstasy in the room as the show ended. If music has the ability to heal, then everyone should be prescribed a dose of Cave and Ellis to help us get through life. They are the salve we need.

Nick Cave @ Warren Ellis @ Sydney Opera House. Photo by Daniel Boud.