A black and white photo of Conductor Eric Whiteacre with a red and yellow sparkly background

Eternity in an HourEric Whitacre Conducts

27 June 2025

In the Concert Hall

Sydney Philharmonia Choirs

Classical Music

Legendary choral leader and composer Eric Whitacre returns to Sydney to conduct his latest choral work, a mystical meditation in sound. 

Contemplative, mystical and soaring by turns

ClassicalSource

Useful information:

Eternity in an Hour

To see a World in a Grain of Sand 
And a Heaven in a Wild Flower, 
Hold Infinity in the palm of your hand 
And Eternity in an hour. 

These words by William Blake have fascinated Eric Whitacre for years, and his obsession has taken shape as an hour-long meditation in sound – a musical guide to ‘how to be truly in the moment’. Written for voices, instruments and an ethereal blanket of electronics, Eternity in an Hour shimmers and soars and fills the air with disembodied harmonies. 

Whitacre is a legend in the choral world – his charismatic music with its delicious chord clusters is a dream to sing and mesmerising to hear. In a welcome return to the Sydney Opera House he conducts Sydney Philharmonia Choirs’ youth ensemble VOX in this new hour-long creation. 

Preparing our ears for the ultimate in contemplative experiences, Whitacre has chosen two of his most popular choral works, Edwin London’s take on a Bach chorale, ‘Come, sweet death’, and Past Life Melodies by Sarah Hopkins, an immersive blending of global vocal traditions that has become one of the most performed Australian choral works worldwide.

Presented by Sydney Philharmonia Choirs

Program

Eric WHITACRE Lux Aurumque
Sarah HOPKINS Past Life Melodies
Eric WHITACRE Cloudburst
Edwin LONDON Bach (Again), after ‘Come, Sweet Death’ by J.S. Bach
Eric WHITACRE Eternity in an Hour†*

† Commissioned by the 2024 BBC Proms, Flemish Radio Choir and Sydney Philharmonia Choirs
* Australian premiere 

Artists

Eric Whitacre conductor

VOX

Plan your visit

You may also like

Timeless: A Journey in Persian Classical Music

28 Sep 2025

Classical Persian music in all its elegance and refinement, played by international and Australian virtuosi: Vahideh Eisaie, Pegah Kheirdoush, Sohrab Kolahdooz, with Saba Pashaee and Hamid Khansari.

  • Classical Music

Javier Perianes performs Saint-Saëns

30 Jul – 2 Aug 2025

Prepare for a fascinating voyage through exotic landscapes to the great expanses of the human heart. Spanish pianist Javier Perianes ‘really is an exquisite musician’, says The Times (London), and here he brings his ‘trademark polish and poetic sensitivity’ (Limelight) to Saint-Saëns’ thrilling Piano Concerto No.5. With its evocation of frogs and crickets croaking by the Nile and drawing upon the sounds of Nubian folk song, Saint-Saëns conjures a vibrant and romantic memory of Egypt. Acclaimed pianist Perianes brings each scene to life in dazzling colour.

  • Classical Music
  • Sydney Symphony Orchestra
Pianist Javier Perianes sits in front of a grand piano

Mozart & Beethoven

29 & 30 Aug 2025

These brilliant masterpieces by Beethoven and Mozart are often overlooked, but no less accomplished. There’s a freshness to a hidden gem, and in this concert that sense is beautifully captured by rising star conductor Dmitry Matvienko and incredible violin soloist Akiko Suwanai. Mozart’s Fifth Violin Concerto is one of his most popular, revealing all the brilliance of a prodigious teenager. Suwanai summons its youthful character with pristine clarity.

  • Classical Music
  • Sydney Symphony Orchestra
A closeup headshot of violinist Akiko Suwanai

Checking availability