Classical Music
Upcoming performances, symphonies and concerts
Benjamin Appl
Baritone Benjamin Appl unites an actor’s instinct for text, the charisma of a storyteller and a glorious voice in Nocturne – an enchanted evening of song.

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

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

ChorusOz: Mahler 8
It’s back! ChorusOz invites anyone with a passion for singing gather in the Sydney Opera House to perform a major work.

Spinifex Gum & the Sydney Symphony Orchestra
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.

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

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

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

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

The Sydney 2023: Opening Gala
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.

The Sydney 2023: Preliminaries
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.

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

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

The Sydney 2023: Semi Finals
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.

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

Introduce Your Family to the Magic of the Orchestra
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 Sydney 2023: Finals
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.

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

The Sydney 2023: Finals Awards
Following the final performances, the announcement of the 2023 Grand First Prize Winner.

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

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

Black Panther: Live in Concert
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.

The Sydney 2023: Winner’s Recital
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.

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

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

James Morley & Friends
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.

Diana Doherty Performs Ross Edwards
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.

Dvořák’s Symphony No.7
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.

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

Balkan Spirit!
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!

Jazz at Lincoln Center and the Sydney Symphony Orchestra
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.

Jazz at Lincoln Center 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.

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

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

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

Beethoven 7 & Bruch’s Violin Concerto
Experience Bruch’s most famous work and one of the greatest symphonies ever written with Beethoven’s Seventh.

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

Ayşe & Gurridyula - Celebrating Sovereign Spirits
Witness the merging of two cultures in music, that surpasses time, space and distance like no other. Come and be a part of history!

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

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

Blood Lore
Music that goes against the grain.

The Academy of St Martin in the Fields
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.

Andrea Lam
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.

Soweto Gospel Choir - HOPE
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!

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

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

Li-Wei Qin Performs Haydns Cello Concerto No 1
Be inspired by the dynamic talents of cellist Li-Wei Qin in a spirited program featuring Classical favourites of Mozart and Haydn.

Mozart & 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.

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

Anne-Sophie Mutter and the Music of John Williams
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.

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

Simone Young conducts Das Rheingold
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.

Australian World Orchestra presents Mahler 9
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!

Harry Potter & The Deathly Hallows™ Part 2 in Concert
Relive every harrowing loss and every remarkable victory as the Sydney Symphony plays the epic score from Alexandre Desplat live to film.

Lionheart
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
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.

Bach’s Christmas Oratorio
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.
Find more events at the Opera House
Seasons
Utzon Music
Get up close and classical with a curated collection of the finest ensembles and soloists for Utzon Music 2023. This much-loved chamber music program continues from March to October in the intimate Utzon Room – the only performance venue in the Opera House entirely designed by architect Jørn Utzon.
Australian Chamber Orchestra
Join Richard Tognetti and the orchestra for a season of familiar favourites and exciting discoveries. ACO's 2023 season is full of music that will move you, inspire you and bring us all closer together.
Sydney Philharmonia Choir
Voice. Energy. Joy.
In 2023 Sydney Philharmonia Choirs invite you to find your voice, energy and joy in the rich banquet of music they have to sing for you.
Sydney Symphony Orchestra
Join the Sydney Symphony Orchestra and their Chief Conductor Simone Young in the renewed Concert Hall for the 2023 Season, filled with beautiful, inspiring music from the greatest composers of all time. There’s so much to discover.
Stream, read & listen

Love List: Australian Classical by Casey Green
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.

“Rebirth and resurrection”
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.

Australian String Quartet performs Jack Symonds String Quartet No.2
This spectacular work brilliantly showcases the string quartet through its wide-ranging breadth of expression and extremes of colour.