The Royal Organist Westminster Abbey Emeritus Organist James O’Donnell

  • Classical Music
  • Concert Hall
  • Run time - 70 minutes

Putting the Grand Organ through its paces

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.

Internationally acclaimed British conductor and organist James O’Donnell was the organist and master of choristers at Westminster Abbey for 23 years and was responsible for the music at occasions from royal weddings to the state funeral of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II. He returns to the Sydney Opera House Concert Hall for an extraordinary recital of organ masterpieces on the Opera House’s own Grand Organ. 

Designed and built by Sydneysider Ronald Sharp, the stunning Grand Organ was completed in 1979 and is the largest mechanical action organ in the world, featuring 10,244 pipes. 

“While this will be my debut at the House as a player, in 2007 I conducted Westminster Abbey Choir in two concerts in the Concert Hall, so I am familiar with the superb hall and magnificent organ,” O’Donnell says. “Please come to hear me put it through its paces in a varied program of great organ music.”

Presented by Sydney Opera House

Event details

O’Donnell is a master of his craft, a man who conveys the sound of the often monolithic-seeming organ with exceptional command of light and shade.

The Irish Times

Program

Johann Sebastian Bach Prelude and Fugue in E flat BWV 552
Judith Bingham St Bride, assisted by angels
César Franck Choral I in E
William Walton Coronation March: Crown Imperial (1937)
Maurice Duruflé Suite, Op 5 [Prelude, Sicilienne, Toccata]

A note from James O’Donnell
The program opens with one of Bach’s most powerful organ works, with its symbolic representation of the Holy Trinity, before showcasing how French and English composers utilised the sounds of the grand organ with a wide variety of styles and musical forms. Walton’s majestic Coronation March leads into Duruflé’s magisterial suite with its thrilling final movement. 

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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).

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