Two violin players stand in front of a marble wall

Boccherini & Berwald

7 & 8 March 2025

In the Utzon Room

Sydney Symphony Orchestra

Classical Music

Discover two seldom-performed gems by Luigi Boccherini and Franz Berwald in this concert full of beautiful melodies. 

Useful information:

Rediscovered gems

The Grand Septet by Berwald is beautifully written; with short melodic fragments building and dancing around each other, it features some inspired interplay between the string and wind instruments.

Liszt once told Berwald, ‘You have true originality, but you will not be a success in your own lifetime.’ This proved sadly accurate, but nearly 150 years after his death Berwald’s music is finally getting the attention it deserves.

The music of Italian composer Luigi Boccherini undoubtedly comes from the Classical era of Haydn and Mozart, brimming with energy and verve. This String Quintet is charming and optimistic, with rich, five-part harmonies that remind us that Boccherini was a virtuoso cellist as well as composer, and greatly expanded the expressive potential of his instrument – especially in chamber music.

Presented by Sydney Symphony Orchestra

Programme

BOCCHERINI String Quintet in E
BERWALD Grand Septet

Artist information

MUSICIANS OF THE SYDNEY SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA

Please note, the musicians featured in the photo above may not appear in this concert.

Plan your visit

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.

  • Classical Music
  • Sydney Symphony Orchestra
Donald Runnicles stands with baton in his left hand as he conducts the Sydney Symphony Orchestra

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.

  • Classical Music

A Musical Awakening

21 Sep 2025

Music is visceral and vital. In A Musical Awakening, we invite you to take a breath and lean into this program designed to nourish your soul. Directed by ACO Principal Cello Timo-Veikko Valve, the Orchestra will be joined by friend and recorder virtuoso Genevieve Lacey, whose mastery of this most elemental of instruments is unsurpassed.

  • Classical Music
  • Australian Chamber Orchestra
The surface of a dark body of water with light reflected of gentle waves and wind creating soft spray of whitewater.

Checking availability