Pealing the Bells

The Melbourne Arts Festival opened tonight with a memorable and spectacular celebration.

After the dusk performance of the Pealing of the Bells by Strange Fruit at Birrarung Marr, across the Yarra River at Alexandra Gardens, Europe's acclaimed Transe Express performed their signature masterpiece. An orchestra of bell ringers and percussionists lifted skywards, forming a musical chandelier above the city. The carillon was hoisted on a huge flower-like structure and transformed its shape and movement throughout the performance. The images were brilliant and evoked childlike nostalgia and memories of the Maggi Festival in Assisi.