Mahler 4 & 5 Mahlerfest Australian World Orchestra

  • Classical Music
  • Concert Hall
  • Run time - 150 minutes, 20 minute interval
  • Seating map

Two symphonies, one epic night

The Australian World Orchestra returns in 2025 for Mahler 4 & 5 conducted by Alexander Briger, a gala night presenting Mahler’s matchless symphonies back-to-back in one epic concert.

Experience the radiant melodies and childlike wonder of Mahler’s Symphony No. 4, with delicate orchestration and subtle undercurrents of disquiet, then the turbulence and majesty of Symphony No. 5, a voyage from darkness to light highlighted by the luminous serenity of the famous Adagietto (Death in Venice, Tár).

This concert will pay testament to the ensemble expertise of Australia’s only national orchestra, formed from the most accomplished Australian musicians drawn from acclaimed local and international orchestras for too-rare performances.

This mammoth Mahlerfest maps a breathtaking journey in Gustav Mahler’s own life and artistry: part-memoir, part-poem, and ultimately a love letter to Alma, soon to become his wife. 

Australia’s finest musicians play together for you in a spectacular 2025 calendar highlight not to be missed.

Soloist: Sarah Traubel, Soprano

Presented by the Australian World Orchestra

Event details

You may also like

Stephen Layton conducts Bach, Mozart & Handel

21 & 23 Aug 2025

Stephen Layton is one of the world's greatest choral conductors, an expert in vocal music from the Renaissance to the modern day. In this concert Stephen Layton conducts Baroque and Classical masterpieces by Bach, Handel, Mozart and Haydn, featuring guest soloist Sara Macliver.

  • Classical Music
  • Sydney Symphony Orchestra
Stephen Layton conducts an Orchestra with arms outstretched

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. Award-winning British vocal ensemble, 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

The Royal Organist

29 Jul 2025

The former organist and master of choristers at Westminster Abbey for over 20 years, James O’Donnell performs a recital of organ masterpieces on the Sydney Opera House’s magnificent Grand Organ.

  • Classical Music

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