The Vietnam Requiem – 50 years on

The 2021 premiere of the third in the Flowers of War series of national commemorative musical works – the Vietnam Requiem – is reaching its final stages of creative development. This epic concert will create a deeper understanding of the Vietnam War by showing all perspectives through the power of music and imagery.

The 2021 premiere of the third in the Flowers of War series of national commemorative musical works – the Vietnam Requiem – is reaching its final stages of creative development. This epic concert will create a deeper understanding of the Vietnam War by showing all perspectives through the power of music and imagery.  

This concert was created by some of Australia’s leading composers and will be performed by Little Pattie, Normie Rowe, John Schumann, the RMC Duntroon Band, Canberra Symphony Orchestra and choirs. It will take audiences on a musical journey, with 12 popular songs from the era and orchestral movements that will respond to stories or events that shaped our perceptions or experiences. 

In honouring service and acknowledging pain, dislocation and the terrible cost of war, the Vietnam Requiem will be performed as a gift to our veterans.

‘Telling the story of this war primarily through the Australian experience is complex,’ said Chris Latham, the Director of the Flowers of War and Artist in Residence at the Australian War Memorial. ‘This war was the most divisive in our history, and one where, to this day, there are many who have remained silent about their experiences.

‘This concert will respond to all those affected, including Australian, New Zealand and Vietnamese veterans; the medical staff who helped heal the wounded; the journalists, cameramen and photojournalists who reported back to the nation; the entertainers who toured to give some joy to the troops; the protesters and the boat people who fled to freedom and settled in our nation.

‘We will be fair, accurate and even-handed in all our musical depictions, and wish for this work to do good.’

Please join us for this epic concert:

  • Saturday 5 and Sunday 6 June 2021, 1–4pm, Llewellyn Hall, ANU, Canberra
  • Book via Ticketek. 
  • More information is available on our website.
Please be aware that articles such as this have been submitted and written by ex-service and related organisations. Such articles do not necessarily represent the views of DVA. ESOs are welcome to submit stories for publication by emailing vetaffairs [at] dva.gov.au.

Choir performing with orchestra

The Vietnam Requiem will feature more than 120 performers, similar to 2018’s Diggers’ Requiem, co-commissioned by the DVA and the AWM.