Souvenirs of Home Hourglass Ensemble

  • Classical Music
  • Utzon Room
  • Run time – 120 minutes, 20 minute interval

Chamber music invoking memories of home

A variety of sublime, dynamic, and nostalgic chamber music from Australia, Germany, America, and Brazil, evoking sensations and stories of time, beauty, grief, and peace.

Australians have a severe case of the travel bug, wanderlust, a searching spirit… but the most precious things are those we long for from home, when we find ourselves in distant lands. 

Firstly, our TRAVELS in two of the greatest masterpieces of chamber music, from trips to Germany and the USA the mighty, endless, autumnal clarinet trio of Brahms, and the quirky, athletic dynamism of Telephone Book by American Michael Torke. 

And in this magical program, our HOME exciting contemporary works from Brazil, and from brilliant young Australian composers Greenaway, Chance, and Muller, exploring the emotionally explosive sonorities from piano trio to breathless flute choir. 

Presented by Hourglass Ensemble

Event details

…a varied and highly enjoyable programme.

Limelight Magazine

Program

Johannes Brahms - Trio for Clarinet, Cello, and Piano
Sally Greenaway – Piano Trio “Le Parc Monceau”
Michael Torke – Telephone Book
Alice Chance - Inhalations
Heitor Villa-Lobos – Jet Whistle
Oliver Muller - Petrie Creek Road (world premiere*) for flute, clarinet, and piano
Amanda Harberg – Court Dances
 

Artists

Ewa Kowalski
Flutes

Andrew Kennedy
Clarinets/artistic director

Anna Rutkowska
Piano

Dan Russell
Violin

Robert Jackson
Cello

Oliver Muller
Composer

You may also like

Donald Runnicles conducts Shostakovich’s Fifth Symphony

12 – 14 Sep 2025

You can feel the tension in Shostakovich’s Fifth Symphony. Written after he had been denounced by Stalin for writing ‘muddle instead of music’, Shostakovich’s response was this symphony. Shostakovich’s Fifth Symphony is a mighty, sweeping masterpiece that unleashes the full power of the orchestra; a bold statement that found universal approval. Principal Guest Conductor Sir Donald Runnicles is world-renowned for connecting audiences to the emotion of music, which means you’ll feel every dramatic twist and turn, with goosebumps guaranteed in the blazing finale.

  • Classical Music
  • Sydney Symphony Orchestra
Donald Runnicles stands with baton in his left hand as he conducts the Sydney Symphony Orchestra

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. 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

Simone Young conducts Richard Strauss

3 – 6 Sep 2025

Richard Strauss’ Thus Spoke Zarathustra launched into popular consciousness in the 1960s, dramatically underscoring the opening scenes of 2001: A Space Odyssey. Strauss’ sublime shifts from darkness to light are timeless, and jaw-dropping to experience live. Chief Conductor Simone Young is one of the world’s leading interpreters of Strauss’ music. In this concert she draws out the vast power of these works, alongside Australian pianist Andrea Lam and the virtuosity of the Sydney Symphony Orchestra.

  • Classical Music
  • Sydney Symphony Orchestra
Simone Young conducts with baton in the hand in front of an orchestra

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

Utzon Room

The Utzon Room is located on the Eastern side of the Opera House, in front of the Joan Sutherland Theatre. Best accessed through the Box Office Foyer or 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