A person with short, blond hair and light skin is wearing a black jacket.

Jean-Yves Thibaudet in Recital Debussy’s Préludes for Piano

  • Classical Music
  • Sydney Symphony Orchestra
  • Concert Hall
  • Run time: 105 minutes, 1 interval Subject to change
  • Seating map

One of the world’s finest pianists returns to the Sydney Opera House Concert Hall to explore the exquisite universe of Debussy’s Préludes

In a career spanning five decades, French pianist Jean-Yves Thibaudet has earned a reputation as one of the world’s finest musicians.

Seamlessly crossing barriers between musical genres and artforms, his performances of jazz, opera and more have led to collaborations in film, fashion and visual art.  

But the beating heart of this rich musical life has always been French classical music – and for a pianist, it doesn’t get more foundational than the Préludes by Claude Debussy. Across 24 short pieces, Debussy conjures a delicious array of moods and musical shades to create 24 self-contained universes. Intensely evocative. Immediately captivating.  

Gramophone magazine described Thibaudet’s recording of these works as ‘a cornucopia of delights’, and in this very special recital at the Sydney Opera House Concert Hall you will be enchanted. Lose yourself in the dreamlike flow of ‘The Girl with the Flaxen Hair’ or the rich harmonies of ‘The Sunken Cathedral’. And the flamenco-inspired melodies of ‘La puerta del Vino’ feel like a postcard from Spain.  

From snow-softened footsteps to bells tolling underwater, this is a program of tantalising vignettes painted with consummate skill by a master interpreter of Debussy. Don’t miss it. 

Presented by Sydney Symphony Orchestra

Event details

Program

DEBUSSY Préludes: Book I & II 

Artists

Jean-Yves Thibaudet Piano

You may also like

Donald Runnicles conducts Sibelius & Wagner

18 – 20 Sep 2025

  • 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

  • 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

  • Classical Music
  • Sydney Symphony Orchestra

Attending this event

Plan your visit

Address

Sydney Opera House
Bennelong Point
Sydney NSW 2000
Australia

Getting to the venue

The Opera House is a 7-10 minute walk from Circular Quay, and is easily accessible by car, train, ferry, lightrail, bus, bike and on foot.

Location and access

Concert Hall

The Concert Hall is located beneath the largest of Sydney Opera House’s roof sails, filling the upper levels of the west side of the building. Best accessed through the covered concourse. 

All Sydney Opera House foyers are accessible, with lifts to the main and western foyers. The public lift to all foyers is accessible from the corridor near the escalators on the Lower Concourse and also in the Western Foyer via the corridor on the Ground Level (at the top of the escalators).

Checking availability