Hear Me Roar

When Helen Reddy released the powerhouse anthem, I Am Woman in 1971, it became a war cry for the feminist movement and positive affirmation for women around the world. Almost 50 years later, the song finds new resonance in a social landscape dominated by ever louder female voices. Hear Me Roar (the second line of that iconic song) is a show that honours the female voice; a tribute to women who wrote and sang some of the most impactful songs of the last few decades. The ensemble of performers represents Australia’s best across genres: Melinda Schneider, Christine Anu, Sarah McLeod, Emma Pask, Tania Doko, Prinnie Stevens, all under the musical direction of the amazing Tina Harris. 

“It will be quite magical, I think. With everything that has been going on in the world in the last year I think it’s just perfect timing for this show. It’s going to be really empowering for the audience and for us,” says Melinda Schneider, one of Australia’s leading country music singers. Among the songs she’s chosen is Dolly Parton’s 9 To 5. 

“I always love singing that song, and it’s very poignant at the moment with the gender pay gap and all the stuff we’re still talking about, you know, all these years after she wrote that song.” 

Equally powerful but on a very different tonal level is Joni Mitchell’s Both Sides Now, which Schneider believes will be very emotional: 

“I probably didn’t really focus on the lyrics of that song until this show, until I really had to learn it, and just the message of it is so powerful, especially for a woman in her 40s – as I am now..”

The performers will talk about what each song means to them. They’ll perform variously as individuals, in duets, small groups and ensemble with part harmony. 

“I’m really excited about the group numbers because that’s the energy of all the women who come from such vast different backgrounds will connect on the night. That’s the exciting thing that people will enjoy,” says Christine Anu, who, as part of her set, will perform Carole King’s Natural Woman, which was totally usurped by Aretha Franklin, Anu’s idol. 

“She was powerful – you couldn’t hide from what she sang and how she sang it,” says Anu of Franklin. “She moves people, that’s the part about her music that connects with me.”

Anu believes that songs have significant cultural and social impact:

“We connect with songs because of how they spoke to us at a particular time in our lives…We were listening to music because it was signifying change in our society.”

In particular, Anu says this type of all-female show and the songs they’ve chosen will remain important and relevant.

“I think we’re always going to need to empower our young women, you know, I think that’s always going to be an important message for young women.”

Dec 13 & 14. Concert Hall, Sydney Opera House, Bennelong Point. $55.20-$129+b.f. Tickets & Info: www.sydneyoperahouse.com

By Rita Bratovich.