Classical Music

Brilliant conductor Maasaki Suzuki directs Mozart’s powerful Great Mass in C minor, showcasing the genius composer at the very height of his powers.

JS Bach and Steve Reich might be centuries apart, but their precise, clear and rich musical languages make compelling partners in this intimate concert.

It’s back! ChorusOz invites anyone with a passion for singing gather in the Sydney Opera House to perform a major work. 

Spinifex Gum combines the beauty of a young Indigenous female choir from Far North Queensland and the Torres Strait with contemporary songwriting that speaks to issues of our time.

Experience the awesome power of Hans Zimmer’s film scores performed live in concert by the Sydney Symphony Orchestra and conductor Nicholas Buc.

Experience the ACO at its joyous and energising best with the Paris, Haffner and Linz symphonies.

Experience the grand emotions of Schumann and Walton with the Sydney Symphony’s Chief Conductor Simone Young and award-winning cellist Steven Isserlis.

Evocative works by Prokofiev and Britten are brought to life in this intimate, fascinating chamber music program.

Revel in music from some of the world’s most distinguished pianists as they celebrate the opening of the 2023 Sydney International Piano Competition in style. 

Over five glorious days of music making, the 32 competitors compete fiercely to win one of only 12 places to advance through to the Semi Finals Rounds.

Tchaikovsky’s beloved ballet music takes centre stage as Simone Young conducts this spellbinding concert.

Join the Australian Youth Orchestra as they perform three sweeping works inspired by the tenacity of the human spirit in times of darkness.

Awe inspiring musical feats await from the 12 competitors advancing to the penultimate stage of the competition. Four days of solo repertoire and chamber music will define the six Finalists.

Australia’s own star violinist Ray Chen performs Tchaikovsky’s beautiful, poignant Violin Concerto.

All Ages | Start a journey of musical discovery where everyone can learn the fun sounds of the orchestra in this Sydney Symphony Orchestra family-friendly concert.

The final and most exhilarating week of performances, with two orchestras, will draw together almost three weeks of competition and culminate with the announcement of the 2023 Grand First Prize Winner.

The Sydney Symphony’s superb wind section comes to the fore in gorgeous, intimate chamber works by Mozart and Beethoven.

Following the final performances, the announcement of the 2023 Grand First Prize Winner.

Three emerging violinists experience a dream come true – performing Bach’s extraordinary Double Concerto at the Sydney Opera House, alongside star violinist Ray Chen.

The flourishing bloom of the string quartet across the ages featuring music by Dvořák, Mozart, Purcell and Justin Williams.

Presented for the first time in Australia, relive the excitement of Black Panther while the Sydney Symphony performs Ludwig Göransson’s Oscar®-winning score live to film.

Be the first to hear the recently awarded 2023 First Prize winner in their debut recital. Accolades will be flowing for this new star of the world’s concert stages. 

Lose yourself in the idyllic, radiant landscapes of Beethoven’s enchanting Pastoral Symphony, with Sydney Symphony Chief Conductor Simone Young.

Give yourself over to this spirited journey featuring the sublime and visceral music of Dvořák and Bartók.

Cellist James Morley returns home from Switzerland – introducing a new Australian work with soprano Jane Sheldon, and performing Beethoven’s most popular cello sonata with fortepianist Erin Helyard.

Celebrate the music of Ross Edwards, one of our most prominent composers, and his unique soundworld that draws on Australia’s natural life and landscape.

Revel in the work that many consider Dvořák’s greatest, and experience Stefan Dohr, Principal Horn of the mighty Berlin Philharmonic, performing Richard Strauss’ stunning, virtuosic Horn Concerto No.2.

Repetition, chaos and beauty become one in this mind-opening program, where each work presents a surprising change of perspective.

The infectious rhythms and melodies of the Balkan folk songs will form the ultimate bridge across a region, where the people lived together for centuries. Do not miss this historic concert!

Experience this extraordinary a tour de force which combines New Orleans jazz, gospel, spirituals, African chant, symphonic modernism, ragtime, blues, folk song and Latin dances with the Sydney Symphony Orchestra.

Experience the greatest jazz music ever written led by the incredible Wynton Marsalis, the music woven deep in the fabric of this incredible ensemble.

Grammy Award-winning violinist Nicole Benedetti performs a new concerto by Wynton Marsalis, the genius of performer and composer.

Discover the captivating fusion of Franz Schubert’s music with modern interpretations by Kats-Chernin, Finnissy, Lachenmann, performed in recital by pianist Rob Hao.

Hear Carl Orff’s thrilling choral masterpiece with Human Waves, a brand new work by Elena Kats-Chernin.

Experience Bruch’s most famous work and one of the greatest symphonies ever written with Beethoven’s Seventh.

Sydney Symphony’s Concertmaster Andrew Haveron leads this mighty work that showcases an impressive range of Sydney Symphony musicians across six glowing movements.

Witness the merging of two cultures in music, that surpasses time, space and distance like no other. Come and be a part of history!

Musical tributes from across the centuries featuring Bach and Boccherini through to Tchaikovsky and Giovanni Sollima.

The Alma Moodie Quartet – an exciting young Australian ensemble – traverses a Romantic musical landscape, from darkly aloof miniatures to Beethoven in an optimistic mood.

Music that goes against the grain.

Verdi’s Requiem may be a mass for the dead – but its emotional impact and the sheer drama of the music is equal to a night at the opera. If you love his operas (Rigoletto, La Traviata, Aida…) experience the theatrical genius of his Requiem. 

One of Australia’s favourite pianists finds Romantic inspiration and contemporary connection in this gorgeous recital inspired by a 19th-century love triangle and the journey of life.

Hope is an all-new concert by 3-time Grammy®-winning Soweto Gospel Choir; celebrating songs and anthems from the Freedom movement of Nelson Mandela’s South Africa, back to the Civil Rights Movement of Martin Luther King’s 1950's America. Hope is a concert that will sing forever in your hearts!

Singing voices and strings unite in an impassioned evocation of Mary’s grief at the foot of the cross.

David Lang’s Pulitzer prize-winning oratorio is a hope-filled reflection on a tragic fable – a passion for our time.

Be inspired by the dynamic talents of cellist Li-Wei Qin in a spirited program featuring Classical favourites of Mozart and Haydn.

Celebrate the Classical masters of the symphony with the Sydney Symphony’s Principal Guest Conductor Donald Runnicles leading an energetic program of charisma and joy.

Sensational pianist Alexander Gavrylyuk astounds with his exquisite interpretation of Tchaikovsky’s First Piano Concerto.

The Sydney Symphony’s Chief Conductor Simone Young joins forces with starl violinist Anne-Sophie Mutter in this program of music by John Williams and great Hollywood composers.

Pianist Polina Leschenko joins the ACO for a program full of brilliant music-making, deep emotions and profound connections.

Wagner’s extraordinary music comes to life as the Sydney Symphony’s Chief Conductor Simone Young conducts the first instalment of the Ring Cycle in a rare concert performance.

Join us for a gala night with an extraordinary array of Australian musicians, selected from the world's greatest orchestras and ensembles, performing Gustav Mahler's breath-taking final completed work, Symphony No. 9. This is music to die for!

Relive every harrowing loss and every remarkable victory as the Sydney Symphony plays the epic score from Alexandre Desplat live to film.

Shostakovich's profound Piano Quintet leads a program of courage and colour from three musical mavericks featuring John Adams’ String Quartet No.1 and a world premiere by Australian trailblazer Holly Harrison.

Carols at the House returns with actor John Bell and popular soprano Julie Lea Goodwin. The splendid sounds of Rutter’s Gloria set the tone for a festive program of Christmas favourites and unexpected delights, with plenty of audience participation.

The Christmas Oratorio is easily one of the most inspired musical enactments of the Nativity. Brett Weymark has chosen the first three parts, from the exultant opening to the tender scenes in the stable and the festive arrival of the shepherds.

Our Classical Music producer/aficionado Casey Green has written a Love List to the Australian classical composers that have inspired her and kept her sane in these extraordinary times.

Who better to help reopen the heart of the Opera House than William Barton? The celebrated Kalkadunga musician estimates he has played the venue over 300 times. This week, with clapsticks made from wood salvaged from the stage, he'll perform with the Sydney Symphony Orchestra in a triumphant return to the Concert Hall.

This spectacular work brilliantly showcases the string quartet through its wide-ranging breadth of expression and extremes of colour.