SUMMIT 50 Years of Piazzolla & Mulligan

  • Classical Music
  • Utzon Room
  • Run time: 105 minutes, including interval Subject to change

An historic reunion of tango and jazz

In 1974, Astor Piazzolla and Gerry Mulligan met in a Milan recording studio and made history. Their encounter—two giants in jazz and tango musical conversation—produced one of the most celebrated album recordings in both genres: 'Summit'.

Fifty years on, Canberra Tango Quintet and internationally acclaimed saxophonist Jorge Retamoza from Argentina revisit that landmark meeting. The concert celebrates the repertoire that revolutionised tango and jazz music, with special guests forming an expanded septet ensemble. 

International guest Jorge Retamoza (Argentina) is touring Australia for this special event.

Canberra Tango Quintet is a five-piece Australian-Argentinian-Uruguayan tango ensemble that has performed sold-out concerts at the Sydney Opera House, Melbourne Recital Centre, and major festivals across Australia.

Presented by Canberra Tango Quintet

Event details

This music carries forward the artistic direction Retamoza has pursued for many years: capturing the city, its colors, and its musical character, while creating space for both individual and collective improvisations rooted in the language of tango.

Claudio Ritter. Teatro Colón Magazine. Buenos Aires. Argentina.

Credits

Jorge Retamoza baritone and tenor saxophone
Rodolfo Pablo Caivano bandoneón
Eloise Reddy violin
Matthew Lustri electric guitar
John Yoon piano and musical direction
Elizabeth Charlton double bass
Taliya Blom percussion
Ben Jones baritone saxophone

Attending this event

You may also like

Hiatus Kaiyote

12 Jul 2026

  • Contemporary Music
The four members of the band Hiatus Kaiyote stand side by side in dark clothing. They are standing amongst blue streamer like curtains that partially cover them.

Liane Moriarty: Big Little Truths

24 Aug 2026

  • Talks and Ideas
A woman with blonde hair sits in a regal looking black chair. She is wearing a black blazer and trousers and a white shirt with a wide collar.

Pride & Prejudice (sort of)

16 Jul – 30 Aug 2026

  • Theatre
  • Comedy
  • Musical Theatre
Five women stand staggered on a staircase in regency era gowns, with musical instruments for Pride and Prejudice (sort of) as confetti falls around them.

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