SEASON OVERVIEW
Sydney Festival 2012
Sydney Festival returns to Sydney Opera House this January with a program bursting at the seams.
One of the greatest movie musicals West Side Story is reborn with the full power of Sydney Symphony as they play Leonard Bernstein’s electrifying score live, while the newly remastered film is shown in glorious high definition with the original vocals and dialogue.
Inspired by Vivaldi’s Four Seasons, 41 Strings by Nick Zinner is part concerto in the classical tradition, but with the modern rock ‘n' roll feel one would expect from the Yeah Yeah Yeahs’ guitarist. Zinner conducts and plays an in-the-round experience with an impressive line-up of acoustic and electric strings, ranging from violins to electric bass (with some drums and synths thrown in for good measure).
One of Australia’s most promising musical talents, Megan Washington brings her new conceptual work to Sydney Opera House for its only Australian performance. A multi-layered show, Insomnia incorporates art, poetry, photography and design, all drawn from Washington’s personal archives.
The enigmatic allure of Nijinsky’s legendary ballet The Afternoon of a Faun, is reborn for a new century in choreographer Martin del Amo’s solo dance work Anatomy of an Afternoon. Paul White’s performance is a kinetic combustion of animalistic grace and menace. A world premiere not to be missed.
Activist, academic and actor, the irascible Gary Foley presents a swag of stories from a life lived in the spirit of resistance. Foley brings his usual black humour to this engrossing chronicle of his life and times.
In a much anticipated return, iOTA takes to the stage for this deeply personal and wildly theatrical concert. Celebrated for his powerhouse voice, his allure and touch of melancholy, this enigmatic star shares the songs closest to his heart.
Company Overview
Sydney Festival was originally conceived by the Sydney Committee, the NSW State Government and the City of Sydney with a view to attracting people into the city centre during the holiday month of January.
The first Festival took place in 1977 and it has since grown to become one of Australia's largest annual cultural celebrations with an international reputation for modern, popular and intelligent programming. In many ways it is probably still best understood as a celebration of Sydney and its style and energy reflect the confidence, diversity and vigour of one of the world's most beautiful cities.
For three weeks each January the Festival offers a rich program of around 80 events involving up to 500 artists from Australia and abroad covering dance, theatre, music, visual arts, cross media and forums. In any given year, it makes use of most of the main theatres across the city including Sydney Theatre, CarriageWorks, City Recital Hall and venues at the Sydney Opera House.
Sydney Festival also presents a number of quality, free outdoor events such as the long-running Festival in the Domain with Summer Sounds and Symphony concerts, each attracting up to 100 000 people. In 2008 the Festival introduced a new opening event, Festival First Night, for which people are invited to take to the streets to enjoy a large-scale celebration of music and performance. In its inaugural year, Festival First Night attracted 200 000 people into the heart of the city.
The Festival has a history of presenting Australian premieres and many of Australia's most memorable productions such as Cloudstreet have resulted from Sydney Festival's commitment to nurture local artists. It has brought many of the world's great artists to Sydney for the first time including: Al Green, Ariane Mnouchkine and Thèâtre du Soleil (Flood Drummers), Robert Wilson (The Black Rider), Robert Lepage (Far Side of the Moon and The Andersen Project), George Piper Dances, Netherlands Dance Theatre, James Thiérrée, Philip Glass, Ian McKellen (Dance of Death), the Batsheva Dance Company and the National Theatre of Scotland (Black Watch and Aalst).
Sydney Festival attracts a total audience of approximately 1 million across all of its events each year, making it the most attended cultural event in Australia.
Festival Director: Lindy Hume
General Manager: Josephine Ridge
Level 2, 10 Hickson Road
The Rocks
Sydney NSW 2000
Telephone: +61 2 8248 6500
Fax: +61 2 8248 6599
Email: mail@sydneyfestival.org.au
www.sydneyfestival.org.au