Final preparations are under way for a one-night concert, marking 80 years since the end of hostilities on 15 August 1945.
Greater Love, performed at the Australian National University, will bring together some of Australia's finest musicians and creatives, including acclaimed harpist Alice Giles AM, theatre icon John Bell AO OBE FRSN, and Memorial Artist in Residence Christopher Latham OAM.
Australian War Memorial Director Matt Andersonsaid the concert, which is part of a series of works, is a tribute to courage and sacrifice.
"This event honours all Australians affected by the Second World War, those who served, those who waited, and those who bore the cost of war," Mr Anderson said. "It brings their stories to life through music and memory."
Presented by the Australian War Memorial and produced by The Flowers of Peace, the concert will combine music, poetry, narration, imagery and art to honour those who served abroad and supported the war effort at home.
Australian War Memorial Artist in Residence Christopher Latham OAM said highlights include Harpist Alice Giles perform Graeme Koehne's Caring.
"This will be a tribute of deep resonance to the people who care for us during war and with a harp it brings a visual poetry," Latham said.
Narrated by John Bell, the concert will feature the Canberra Symphony Orchestra and musicians from the Australian Defence Force, with guest soloists including William Barton (didjgeridoo), Simon Tedeschi and Edward Neeman (piano), Dong Ma (erhu), and vocalists Andrew Goodwin and Rachel Mink.
The performance will include 15 newly commissioned works by composers such as Elena Kats-Chernin AO, Andrew Schultz, Peggy Polias and Paul Carr.
Artwork from the Memorial's Official War Art Scheme will provide a visual backdrop, with pieces by Stella Bowen, Nora Heysen, Murray Griffin and others.
Greater Love is the latest in the series of requiems presented by the Memorial. Earlier concerts recognised Prisoners of War, the Holocaust and Vietnam War.
Tickets for Greater Love are on sale now.
Photo Opportunity
Alice Giles under the oculus available Monday prior to 15 August.
