Classical Music
Upcoming performances, symphonies and concerts
Academy of St Martin in the Fields
Under the inspired direction of virtuoso violinist Joshua Bell, hear one of the world’s finest chamber orchestra’s perform three outstanding programs in the renewed acoustic of the Concert Hall.
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.
EXOPLANET
Brilliant new world premiere by Australian Andrew Ball.
Suzuki 45th Annual Graduation Concert
Suzuki Annual Graduation concert featuring Suzuki Music students of all ages.
Alexander Gavrylyuk Performs Tchaikovsky
Sensational pianist Alexander Gavrylyuk astounds with his exquisite interpretation of Tchaikovsky’s First Piano Concerto.
Yundi Plays Mozart
While Lang Lang is the ultimate extrovert pianist of the age, Yundi offers pianism of an altogether more inward kind. His playing is contained, consistent and structured, even frugal at times. He avoids display and demonstrative gestures – almost to a fault.
Diwali
Diwali will be a delightful and uplifting feast for the ears, an outpouring celebration of happiness and love to the hearts like no other…!
Florescence
The flourishing bloom of the string quartet across the ages featuring music by Dvořák, Mozart, Purcell and Justin Williams.
New Now
Omega Ensemble present four world premiere works by Ben Robinson, Natalie Nicholas, Naomi Dodd and Andrew Howes.
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.
Mystical Voice - The Sufi
Share in the ultimate mystical experience through music, which will take you through the collective inner journey and will transport you into the timeless dimension.
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!
Sarah Grunstein
Praised by The New York Times for her “penetrating musical intelligence”, internationally celebrated pianist, Sarah Grunstein, returns by popular demand to the stunning Utzon Room to perform Beethoven’s last Sonatas.
China National Symphony Orchestra
China National Symphony Orchestra's Australia Tour 2023.
Professor Brian Cox Symphonic Horizons
Explore the secrets of the universe with Professor Brian Cox and the Sydney Symphony, in a special event that combines ground-breaking science with the power of a live orchestra.
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.
Ludovico Einaudi
Italian composer and pianist Ludovico Einaudi, the world’s most popular classical music composer, makes his triumphant return to the Sydney Opera House to perform four nights in the Concert Hall.
River
A cinematic odyssey exploring the waterways that have shaped our world, in all their majesty and fragility.
Beethoven’s Emperor
Step into the concert hall of Beethoven’s time in this joyful celebration directed by pianist Kristian Bezuidenhout.
Mahler’s Song of the Earth
Stuart Skelton and Catherine Carby star in this extraordinary encounter with Mahler’s monumental song cycle.
Havasi
For the second time only in Australia - the virtuoso Pianist and Composer.
Altstaedt Plays Haydn & Tchaikovsky
The world-renowned cellist and master storyteller makes his ACO debut as soloist and guest director.
Silence & Rapture
A mesmerising collaboration with Sydney Dance Company featuring countertenor Iestyn Davies and the music of Johann Sebastian Bach and Arvo Pärt.
Tognetti. Mendelssohn. Bach.
Sparks fly and melodies soar when Richard Tognetti directs music close to the ACO’s heart.
Scotland Unbound
Guitarist Sean Shibe makes his Australian debut in this inspired and thrilling season closer.
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
Throughout 2024 the ACO travels across genres and artforms, traversing centuries of music from the celebrated classics to the sounds of tomorrow as only it can. And the spark at the heart of it all: the Orchestra, leading the way and igniting this season of extraordinary music for you.
Sydney Philharmonia Choirs
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
Under the Sails with the LSO
In our 50-year history, the Sydney Opera House has welcomed thousands of world-class performers to its halls. But no orchestra has as long and rich a shared history with the Opera House as the London Symphony Orchestra.
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.
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.