A conductor leads an orchestra, gesturing with a baton, while musicians around her play violins.

Simone Young conducts Britten & Vaughan Williams With Simone Lamsma

  • Classical Music
  • Sydney Symphony Orchestra
  • Concert Hall
  • Seating map

Chief Conductor Simone Young presents a bold, emotionally charged program of powerful works written either side of the Second World War, featuring Dutch violinist Simone Lamsma

Vaughan Williams’ Sixth Symphony opens in a blaze of energy. Sharp rhythms, bold brass and relentless momentum.

Written in the aftermath of the Second World War, it burns with unrest. The final movement dissolves into a ghostlike hush that drifts toward silence and stays with you long after. After acclaimed performances of his Eighth and Third symphonies in recent seasons, Simone Young continues her exploration of these touching works.

Britten’s Violin Concerto was written on the edge of war, full of unease and astonishing beauty. Its aching opening theme, martial second movement and spiralling cadenza combine with striking emotional power. The 'brilliant’ (New York Times) Dutch violinist Simone Lamsma is our soloist, her commanding presence brings searing clarity to every note.  

Saturday’s concert opens with Peter Sculthorpe’s Sun Music III, a uniquely Australian composition with shimmering textures that evoke ancient ritual and vast landscapes. One of the works that Simone Young conducted in her Sydney Symphony debut 30 years ago, this is a moment to celebrate our deep and rich musical connection with our Chief Conductor.

Presented by Sydney Symphony Orchestra

Event details

Program

SCULTHORPE Sun Music III* 
BRITTEN Violin Concerto 
VAUGHAN WILLIAMS Symphony No.6 
*Does not feature in the performance on Friday 6 March 

Artists

Simone Young Conductor
Simone Lamsma Violin

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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).

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