There’s a certain air about spring that remains unrivalled. Leaves are blossoming, daylight savings is looming, and friends are willing to emerge from their winter-induced hibernation to accompany you on a night out in the city.
Over the next three-or-so months, the Sydney Symphony Orchestra is set to bless Sydney Opera House’s Concert Hall with a string of concerts to elevate your seasonal celebrations. It’s a tall order to be front and centre for each and every one, so here are six of the best that will pique your interest and fill your calendars.
The season of couch potatoes has officially ended; bring on the concerts and late-night tipples.
Donald Runnicles Conducts The Duruflé Requiem & Mahler’s Fourth Symphony
The Scottish conductor Sir Donald Runnicles will kick off his time at the Sydney Opera House leading the Orchestra for two consecutive nights as they perform the Duruflé Requiem, a body-trembling ode to life that will move even the most hardened of attendees.
After a few days to recover, Runnicles will be back wielding the baton, guiding the Orchestra through Mahler’s Fourth Symphony as well as a stunning selection of orchestral songs by Richard Strauss, sung by the one and only Ying Fang. Trust us when we say you have never heard a voice like Fang’s stunning soprano.
The Details:
Where: Concert Hall, Sydney Opera House
When: 20–21, and 25–28 September; times vary
Tickets and more info for Duruflé Requiem here and Mahler’s Fourth Symphony here.
George Gershwin’s An American in Paris
Journey back to the Roaring Twenties and experience, what it was like to be surrounded by artists and creatives in Paris when the rules were grey and the drinks were flowing.
For the duration of An American In Paris, conductor Umberto Clerici directs a carefully curated selection of thrilling pieces by Gershwin, Stravinsky and Ravel, as you get transported back to a time when you didn’t exist, but kind of wish you did.
The Details:
Where: Concert Hall, Sydney Opera House
When: 17, 18 October; times vary
Tickets and more info here.
Elgar’s Enigma Variations
Ultra-talented pianist Nobuyuki Tsujii meets equally talented conductor Nicolas Ellis in this gripping concert, interpreting the works of Rachmaninov for a new generation of audience-goers. You won’t have to understand the ins and outs of a standard symphony-going experience to be in awe of Elgar’s Enigma Variations, just lean into the melodies and let your body float away.
The Details:
Where: Concert Hall, Sydney Opera House
When: 25, 26 October; 7pm
Tickets and more info here.
Ingrid Fliter Performs Chopin
Over four consecutive nights, soak in pianist Ingrid Fliter’s elegant performance of Chopin’s reflection on youth, led by conductor Eduardo Strausser. From Tom & Jerry to The Notebook, Chopin’s lifetime of work has infiltrated each and every corner of pop culture. Now thanks to Filter you have the opportunity to indulge in this legendary composer and his mastery from the comfort of Sydney’s most iconic venue.
The Details:
Where: Concert Hall, Sydney Opera House
When: 30 October–2 November; times vary
Tickets and more info here.
Simone Young Conducts Die Walküre
Long before JRR Tolkein’s The Hobbit, Richard Wagner’s Ring Cycle captivated audiences with gods, giants, magic swords and epic battles. What more could you want from a night out? Leading you on this wild ride is the Sydney Symphony’s Chief Conductor Simone Young, one of the world’s leading Wagner conductors – her expertise will drive home every powerful moment of this extraordinary concert.
The Details:
Where: Concert Hall, Sydney Opera House
When: 15, 17 November; times vary
Tickets and more info here.
Vasily Petrenko Conducts The Rite of Spring
For casual fans of music or those with a curiosity for culture, look no further than The Rite of Spring. This swirling music is in safe hands with conductor Vasily Petrenko, who will guide his orchestra through a shockingly modern piece of art from 1913. There’s a reason this particular concert has stood the test of time, and you’ll have to find out why.
The Details:
Where: Concert Hall, Sydney Opera House
When: 27–30 November; times vary
Tickets and more info here.
For more details on sensational concerts live with the Sydney Symphony Orchestra this spring, head here.
Editor’s note: This article is sponsored by the Sydney Symphony Orchestra and proudly endorsed by The Urban List. To find out more about who we work with and why, read our editorial policy here.
Image Credit: Craig Abercrombie (Main), Yuji Hori (Nobuyuki Tsujii for Elgar’s Enigma Variations), Mark McNulty (Vasily Petrenko Conducts The Rite of Spring).