Donald Runnicles stands with his left hand raised as he conducts an orchestra

Donald Runnicles conducts Strauss & Beethoven

13 & 14 June 2025

In the Concert Hall

Sydney Symphony Orchestra

Classical Music

Embark on an epic hero’s quest with Sydney Symphony Orchestra Principal Guest Conductor Sir Donald Runnicles. Cinematic in scale, you’ll be on the edge of your seat for the whole ride.

A hero’s journey

Richard Strauss’ A Hero’s Life (Ein Heldenleben) is the centrepiece of this concert. The music is indeed heroic: rich and colourful, with energy, vitality and personality worthy of any Hollywood blockbuster. Strauss pushes the orchestra to its limits in volume and virtuosity, and the exquisite solo violin part is one of the most demanding and extraordinary in all of music.

Based on the famous fairytale, Humperdinck’s Hansel and Gretel conjures an enchanting world of forests and witches, the music rivalling the plot for drama and adventure. Following its American premiere in 1905 The New York Times described it as ‘an achievement of the highest talent and skill,’ and its charms have not diminished since. 

Opening the concert with Beethoven’s vibrant and energetic Overture from The Creatures of Prometheus, Sir Donald Runnicles will bring his decades of experience conducting at the world’s leading opera houses to bring these gripping stories to life.

Presented by Sydney Symphony Orchestra

Programme

BEETHOVEN The Creatures of Prometheus: Overture
HUMPERDINCK Hansel and Gretel: Suite
R STRAUSS A Hero’s Life (Ein Heldenleben)

Artist information

DONALD RUNNICLES conductor

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