The Sydney 2023 Opening Gala
5 July 2023
Revel in music from some of the world’s most distinguished pianists as they celebrate the opening of the 2023 Sydney International Piano Competition in style.
Date | Time |
Wednesday 5 July | 7.30pm |
Standard | Price |
---|---|
Friends of The Sydney | Price |
Concession | Price |
Student | Price |
Groups 8+ | Price |
Premium | $90 |
A Reserve | $80 |
B Reserve | $70 |
Premium | $82 |
A Reserve | $72 |
B Reserve | $62 |
Premium | N/A |
A Reserve | $75 |
B Reserve | $65 |
Premium | N/A |
A Reserve | $30 |
B Reserve | $30 |
Premium | $82 |
A Reserve | $72 |
B Reserve | $62 |
$8.95 booking fee applies per transaction
Prices correct at the time of publication and subject to change without notice. Exact prices will be displayed with seat selection.
Click here to view The Sydney 2023 Ticketing Terms & Conditions
Children aged 15 years and under must be accompanied at all times.
The only authorised ticket agency for this event is Sydney Opera House. For more information about Authorised Agencies, see the frequently asked questions below.
PACKAGES
Friends of The Sydney
9am, Monday 7 November 2022
General Public
9am, Monday 6 February 2023
SINGLE TICKETS
Friends of The Sydney
9am, Monday 6 March 2023
Sydney Opera House Insiders pre-sale
9am, Monday 3 April 2023
Become a Sydney Opera House Insider to receive exclusive pre-sale access
What’s On e-newsletter on-sale
9am, Wednesday 5 April 2023
General Public tickets on-sale
9am, Tuesday 11 April 2023
In English
Wheelchair accessible
PLEASE NOTE: This event is held at Verbrugghen Hall, Sydney Conservatorium of Music. Not at Sydney Opera House.
Run time
This show runs for approx 2 hours to 3 hours, including interval
Event duration is a guide only and may be subject to change.
Age
Recommended for all ages
Children aged 15 years and under must be accompanied at all times, and children under the age of 12 are not required to wear a face mask.
A strict lock-out will apply if a competitor has started their performance.
Latecomers will be admitted to the auditorium as follows:
- Australian Showcase – at the end of the performance
- Preliminary Round 1 20-minute recital - at the end of each 20-minute recital
- Preliminary Round 2 30-minute recital – at the end of each 30-minute recital
- Semi Final Round 1 65-minute recital – at the conclusion of a full work and only during applause
- Semi Final Round 2 Chamber Music – at the conclusion of a full work and only during applause
- Final Round 1 & 2 – at the conclusion of a full work and only during applause
The world’s best pianists launch the competition
Experience the magic and glamour of the official opening night gala concert of the 2023 Sydney International Piano Competition. The stage will be filled with the pianistic talents of the internationally acclaimed jury for the ensuing competition: effervescent world pianist Tanya Bannister, the exceptional Alexander Gavrylyuk, much loved winner of 2008’s competition Konstantin Shamray, Armenian-born Marianna Shirinyan and sparkling Chinese pianist Xiaohan Wang. Artistic Director and Chairman of the Jury, Australian Piers Lane AO will round-out this very special evening of extraordinary musicians.
After the concert, and included in the ticket price, join these artists, dignitaries and VIPs for a special cocktail reception marking the start of three weeks of competition the following day.
Presented by The Sydney
5 – 22 July 2023 Classical Music
Discover more events at The Sydney 2023
32 young pianists from around the world will travel to Sydney to battle it out to be crowned the Grand First Prize Winner and to reap the accolades and bathe in the global spotlight of the music world. Don’t miss a moment of this exhilarating competition with the world’s most talented young pianists.

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.

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.

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.
