Written in 1918, Igor Stravinsky’s L’Histoire du soldat (The Soldier’s Tale) is a remarkable fusion of music, theatre, movement and storytelling. It draws on a Russian folk tale written by Alexander Afanasyev, where a retired soldier battles the Devil's temptations of wealth and success, in exchange for his violin, his time and ultimately his life. The libretto from Swiss writer Charles Ferdinand Ramuz tells a darkly comic and increasingly unsettling tale of temptation, ambition, loss and consequences. Stravinsky combines this story with a fusion of Russian folk, jazz, ragtime, tango, and waltz. In this performance, Violin Performance Fellow Doretta Balkizas joins six outstanding students from the UQ School of Music, all conducted by Professor Paul Dean. The musicians are also joined by actors from the UQ Singers, who bring the characters, action and storytelling vividly to life. The result is a performance that sits at the intersection of concert music and theatre, capturing the wit, theatricality and darker undercurrents of Stravinsky’s extraordinary work.
About Nickson Room Concert Series
The University of Queensland School of Music is proud to present our Nickson Room Concert Series for 2026. In reflecting the School's role in the broader South-East Queensland community, we have designed a diverse and exciting program. With established international and national artists performing, as well as our own emerging student artists, this year is set to be a vibrant, creative, and energetic time at the UQ School of Music. We look forward to connecting with you.
