A women standing on a dark street at night, wearing black, with an instrument case over her shoulder.

Rachmaninoff’s Rhapsody

  • Classical Music
  • Australian Chamber Orchestra
  • Concert Hall
  • Run time: 120 minutes, including interval Subject to change
  • Seating map

A musical revelation starring pianist Dejan Lazić, with a world premiere from John Luther Adams

When Rachmaninoff first performed his Rhapsody on a Theme of Paganini, it had the audience in raptures. The extraordinary pianist had written a showstopper, and audiences have loved its lush, romantic melodies for nearly 100 years. Now, the ever- adventurous pianist Dejan Lazić returns to the Australian Chamber Orchestra to play it, in a new arrangement for piano and strings. 

In this joyful season opener directed by Richard Tognetti and featuring the singular talents of Lazić as soloist, the Australian Chamber Orchestra explores the power of music to take us to the edge of what is known… and beyond. Join the Australian Chamber Orchestra to explore where the lines between earth, sea and sky merge. There, possibility is infinite. 

John Luther Adams is a Pulitzer Prize-winning American composer whose music is a profound response to the natural world. In the world premiere of his expansive Horizon, you’ll explore the extremes of the Australian landscape. Born of a residency in Australia, Adams plays with space, sound and texture to immerse you in this special place. 

Raminta Šerkšnytė’s euphoric De Profundis plays with high and low extremes, in a piece full of energy and drama. Stravinsky’s balletic Concerto in D is sometimes ominous, sometimes graceful, and always impressive.

Lazić describes playing with the Australian Chamber Orchestra as “coming home”. This latest collaboration between virtuosos – and old friends – is not to be missed.

Presented by the Australian Chamber Orchestra

Event details

Program

John Luther Adams 
Horizon* (World Premiere)

Igor Stravinsky 
Concerto in D “Basle”

Raminta Šerkšnytė 
De Profundis (Australian Premiere)

Sergei Rachmaninoff 
(arr. piano, percussion and strings) Rhapsody on a Theme of Paganini, Op.43

*Commissioned by the Australian Chamber Orchestra

Artists

Richard Tognetti 
Director & Violin 

Dejan Lazić 
Piano 

Australian Chamber Orchestra 

You may also like

Now You See Me Live

19 Dec 2025 – 3 Jan 2026

  • Magic
Four magicians face the camera, cards fall in front of them and they are lit by blue light.

Duck Pond

9 – 12 Jan 2026

  • Circus
  • Dance
  • Acrobatics
A performer in a tutu is held in the air by 4 other performers against a light grey background with feathers floating in the foreground and background.

Calamity Jane

30 Oct – 16 Nov 2025

  • Musical Theatre
  • Comedy
  • Theatre
Calamity Jane on Stage with a guitar

Attending this event

Plan your visit

Address

Sydney Opera House
Bennelong Point
Sydney NSW 2000
Australia

Getting to the venue

The Opera House is a 7-10 minute walk from Circular Quay, and is easily accessible by car, train, ferry, lightrail, bus, bike and on foot.

Location and access

Concert Hall

The Concert Hall is located beneath the largest of Sydney Opera House’s roof sails, filling the upper levels of the west side of the building. Best accessed through the covered concourse. 

All Sydney Opera House foyers are accessible, with lifts to the main and western foyers. The public lift to all foyers is accessible from the corridor near the escalators on the Lower Concourse and also in the Western Foyer via the corridor on the Ground Level (at the top of the escalators).

Checking availability