Skip to main content

Alexander Melnikov performsShostakovich

22 & 23 June 2024

In the Concert Hall

Sydney Symphony Orchestra

Classical Music

The dazzling musical fireworks of Shostakovich's Festive Overture are pure entertainment, and the perfect way to open this program of triumphant, witty and brilliant virtuosity.

Orchestral fireworks

Pianist Alexander Melnikov brings his impressive energy to Shostakovich's First Piano Concerto. Principal Trumpet David Elton weaves a tender, sombre magic in its delightfully wistful passages.

But this is Shostakovich, so the story doesn't end there; he continues on a spellbinding journey, to a finale where strings soar and the trumpet returns for an amazing conclusion.

Loaded with themes of lust, valour and tragedy, Richard Strauss' energetic sound charms from the beginning. Strauss took rich tales as inspiration for his tone poems, masterfully extracting every ounce of colour from the orchestra to describe the escapades of his story-book heroes Don Juan and Till Eulenspiegel.

Every tale here is told with beauty and magnificence, presenting us with enthralling and very human portraits.

Presented by Sydney Symphony Orchestra

Programme

SHOSTAKOVICH 
Festive Overture
Piano Concerto No.1 
R STRAUSS
Don Juan
Till Eulenspiegel’s Merry Pranks

Artist information

Giordano Bellincampi conductor    
Alexander Melnikov piano 
David Elton trumpet 

Other information

You may also like

Hania Rani

25 Feb 2025

Blurring the lines between ambient, classical and house, acclaimed Polish pianist and composer Hania Rani makes her Sydney Opera House debut for one night only.

  • Contemporary Music
  • Classical Music

Nils Frahm

5 & 7 Mar 2025

Returning for his first shows in three years, Sydney Opera House favorite Nils Frahm brings his singular ambient, classical and electronica sounds to the Concert Hall.

  • Contemporary Music
  • Classical Music

Singapore Symphony Orchestra

12 Feb 2025

Marking their Australian debut, the spectacular Singapore Symphony Orchestra will light up the Sydney Opera House Concert Hall with a headline performance by teenage violin prodigy Chloe Chua, plus star cellist Ng Pei-Sian.

  • Classical Music
A Singaporean man and woman play the cello and violin respectively next to an older white man holding a conductor's baton, all basked in a red light filter.

Checking availability