The Yogyakarta Royal Orchestra, under the patronage of His Majesty Sri Sultan Hamengku Bawono Ka 10, was reactivated in June 2021 after a hiatus of more than a century. The musicians are abdi dalem (courtiers) of the Royal Palace. The orchestra has performed at least eight full-scale concerts and dozens of other concerts in ensemble and chamber music formats over the last three years. It has collaborated with a variety of musicians, both national and international. The State Sovereignty Day Concert will mark the Yogyakarta Royal Orchestra's debut in Jakarta.

The Jakarta concert was arranged by order of His Majesty Sri Sultan Hamengku Bawono Ka 10 to raise public awareness about the significance of State Sovereignty Day.

"Although the Battle of the 1st of March, 1949, occurred in Yogyakarta, State Sovereignty Day should not be exclusive to Yogyakarta. This day should be commemorated nationally. Therefore, we will perform the concert in Jakarta, the capital city of the Republic of Indonesia," said His Royal Highness Prince Notonegoro, director general of Kridhamardawa, Karaton Ngayogyakarta Hadiningrat, when asked why the concert was being held in Jakarta.

The first day of the concert, Friday, March 1, 2024, at the Aula Simfonia, will be attended by guests from ministries, embassies, diplomatic corps, government officials of the Republic of Indonesia and the Special Region of Yogyakarta, as well as representatives of Yogyakarta communities in Jakarta. Members of the general public can purchase tickets for the second day of the concert, which will take place on Saturday, March 2, 2024, at the Aula Simfonia Jakarta.

“The concept of this concert remains consistent with the tradition of Yogyakarta Royal Orchestra concerts, which focus on national songs as well as folk songs. Some pieces will also be performed in collaboration with Cokekan and Sindhen. We will also collaborate with vocal soloist, Daniel Christianto, and the University of Indonesia’s student choir, Paragita, which will hopefully add nuance to the repertoire during the State Sovereignty Day Concert,” said Mas Lurah Widyotantomardowo, the producer of the State Sovereignty Day Concert, Yogyakarta Royal Orchestra 2024.

With RW Widyogunomardowo as conductor, the concert will immerse the audience in the spirit of our national heroes to defend the sovereignty of the Republic of Indonesia through music. We will also invite the audience to enjoy the ambience of Java, particularly Yogyakarta. The concert will also feature a special number titled “Hymn of the Battle of the 1st of March, 1949” composed by His Majesty Sri Sultan Hamengku Bawono Ka 10.

In addition to the concert, guests and audience members can enjoy Jayapatra: Jogja Contribution for the Nation. This exhibition features a brief series of Yogyakarta's dedications to the Republic of Indonesia. Jayapatra will invite all visitors to revisit the struggle for Indonesian independence and the various efforts to defend the sovereignty of the republic, as well as the contribution of Yogyakarta, the country's capital at the time, which played an important role in defending the sovereignty.

“The exhibition will be open for two days: the first day for invited guests and the second day for the public. On the second day, anyone interested in seeing the Jayapatra Exhibition – not just concert ticket holders – is welcome to visit Aula Simfonia Jakarta. For this reason, on the second day, March 2, 2024, we will open the Jayapatra Exhibition at 10:00 a.m., and it will be free of charge,” stated Her Royal Highness Princess Bendara, the minister for Kawedanan Hageng Punakawan Nityabudaya who is in charge of the Jayapatra Exhibition.

The State Sovereignty Day Concert on the second day will be open to the members of general public with tickets. Online ticketing is open and can be accessed at kratonjogja-online.globaltix.com.

“We hope that the exhibition and concert in Jakarta can be a means of raising the awareness of the wider community of the role of Yogyakarta in the efforts to defend the sovereignty of the Republic of Indonesia. It is also intended as a way to appreciate countries that played supportive roles in our global diplomacy until, finally, the sovereignty of our beloved country was recognized internationally,” said His Royal Highness Prince Notonegoro.

This article was published  in partnership with Keraton Yogyakarta

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