Nicola Benedetti performs Marsalis

6 - 9 September 2023

In the Concert Hall

Sydney Symphony Orchestra

Classical Music

Grammy Award-winning violinist Nicola Benedetti performs a new concerto by Wynton Marsalis, the genius of performer and composer.

Wynton Marsalis' Violin Concerto

In a Sydney first, Grammy Award-winning violinist Nicola Benedetti brings her brilliant technique and grace to the music of Wynton Marsalis, one of America’s most captivating composers. A jazz legend, Marsalis has created a violin concerto that brings together the genius of performer and composer. Jazz, blues and fiddle music – feel the fresh, foot-stomping spirit of America come alive at the Sydney Opera House.

As a teenager, Marsalis was captivated by Stravinsky’s genre-busting, incandescent writing. Inspired by folk stories, the dreamlike The Firebird is one of the Russian composer’s most famous creations, still seductive and thrilling more than a century after its premiere. From near silence, darkness and mystery transform into a soaring melody within its opening minutes. The dark magic of an evil sorcerer hangs over each note, until he is at last vanquished as the work’s finale blazes like a sunrise of joy.
 

Programme
ADAMS Short Ride in a Fast Machine 
MARSALIS Violin Concerto 
STRAVINSKY The Firebird (complete) 

Artists
Karen Kamensek conductor 
Nicola Benedetti violin

Presented by Sydney Symphony Orchestra

Other information

You may also like

Donald Runnicles conducts Sibelius & Wagner

18 – 20 Sep 2025

Join the Sydney Symphony on this thrilling voyage across two striking visions of the ocean paired with Sibelius’ sweeping Symphony No.2. World-renowned Principal Guest Conductor Sir Donald Runnicles summons every ounce of passion from the talented musicians of the Sydney Symphony Orchestra.

  • Classical Music
  • Sydney Symphony Orchestra
Graphic showing a shell with stormy oceans within superimposed over waves crashing onto shore

Mozart & Harrison

10 & 11 Oct 2025

The combination of clarinet and strings is a perfect match, the mellow woodwind balanced beautifully against the sprightly strings. Mozart was the first to explore this combination in his Clarinet Quintet of 1789, written for Anton Stadler, the most gifted clarinettist in Vienna at the time. Across four exquisite movements we hear a gentle lullaby, a lively dance and lyrical passages that could almost be opera arias; while the clarinet is first among equals, all five instruments shine in this exquisite piece.

  • Classical Music
  • Sydney Symphony Orchestra
Three violin players stand playing the violin in the Sydney Opera House Utzon Room

Ingrid Fliter performs Chopin

30 Oct – 2 Nov 2024

Chopin's glittering First Piano Concerto captures the powerful feelings of youth. Written when he was 20, it's one of two works he composed for orchestra.

  • Classical Music
  • Sydney Symphony Orchestra

Checking availability