Dreams, Shadows and Turkish Folk Songs

Saturday 7 September, 2024

In the Utzon Room

Classical Music

Ayşe Göknur Shanal, Sandra Ismail, David Angell and The Bourbaki Ensemble come together to share the most magnificent and diverse repertoire, curated for this concert. Exquisite, pure and simply unforgettable.

When a concert leaves you feeling excited and energised for hours afterwards, you know it was an exceptionally good one

Len Power

Useful information:

This music will leave you mesmerised, wanting more…

Experience the wonderful Turkish Folk Songs, weaving tales of love and longing through haunting melodies and rhythmic intricacies. Some will have you burst into laughter, some will move you to tears and others will lead your imagination, into another wondrous world.

Feel the emotional depth of Golijov's Tenebrae, where ancient chants merge with modern expression to evoke a spiritual journey transcending time. 

Enter the serene landscapes of Peter Sculthorpe's compositions, resonating with the essence of Australia's natural beauty, including the sublime Maranoa Lullaby

Be captivated by Wagner's Wesendonck Lieder, where lush orchestration and lyrical intensity create a passionate exploration of human emotion. Join us for a concert that celebrates diversity, beauty, and the power of music to stir the soul.

Presented by Ayse Goknur Shanal and The Bourbaki Ensemble

Artists

Ayşe Göknur Shanal
Soprano

Sandra Ismail
Clarinet 

David Angell
Conductor

& The Bourbaki Ensemble

Plan your visit

You may also like

Simone Young conducts Siegfried

13 & 16 Nov 2025

Wagner’s Ring Cycle is one of the great achievements in Western art. At its beating heart – packed with passion, violence, rage, betrayal and tragedy – sits the sprawling legend of Siegfried. Starring a world-class cast of singers, including internationally acclaimed Simon O’Neill in the title role, this third instalment in the Sydney Symphony Orchestra's Ring Cycle in concert is a once-in a-generation event.

  • Classical Music
  • Sydney Symphony Orchestra
graphic showing a firey circle with a sharp dagger pointing towards a stone superimposed over gloomy clouds

The Tallis Scholars

12 Oct 2025

Award-winning British vocal ensemble, The Tallis Scholars return to the Sydney Opera House for the first time in over two decades with an unmissable program inspired by the timeless beauty of Gregorian chant. The Tallis Scholars are renowned for their stunning cappella performances and exquisite recordings of sacred vocal music. The choir first sang at the Sydney Opera House in 1985, 40 years ago, and has returned five times since.

  • Classical Music

Celebrating the Australian Chamber Orchestra

21 Nov 2025

On the 21 November 1975, a group of pioneering musicians walked out onto the Sydney Opera House Concert Hall stage and the Australian Chamber Orchestra was born. Founded by the legendary Australian cellist John Painter, these musicians were driven by a shared mission to take control of their musical destinies: to become the country’s first truly national orchestra with an uncompromising commitment to elite performance, to represent Australia on the world stage, and provide opportunities to the country’s brightest young string players.                                             

  • Classical Music
  • Australian Chamber Orchestra

Checking availability