A group of people in loose, earth-toned clothing dance expressively on a sandy stage.

Symphonic Cinema: The Planets Rebecca Lagos Performs Westlake

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

The Planets has always been cinematic, and Symphonic Cinema takes it to a new level in a groundbreaking fusion of music and film starring Emma Thompson and Greg Wise

In this world premiere presentation, a captivating silent film by Dutch director Lucas van Woerkum explores the vastness of the cosmos and the intimacy of human experience.

More than a visual accompaniment to music, this is a deeply felt journey that expands the Sydney Opera House Concert Hall into a shared space of wonder and reflection. Van Woerkum performs as a cinema soloist, matching his film in real time to the Orchestra’s performance; as Holst’s celestial masterpiece fills the air, the images unfold like a dream – mysterious, luminous, and unforgettable. 

Australian composer Nigel Westlake is no stranger to film music, having written award-winning scores for Babe, Paper Planes, Ali’s Wedding and more. His percussion concerto When the Clock Strikes Me…, written for our Principal Percussion Rebecca Lagos, sets the stage for a journey through space and time in a wonderfully entertaining program, led by Conductor in Residence Benjamin Northey.

Nigel Westlake’s 2025 revision of When the Clock Strikes Me for the Sydney Symphony Orchestra was supported by Geoff Stearn.

Presented by Sydney Symphony Orchestra

Event details

Program

IVES The Unanswered Question 
Nigel WESTLAKE When the Clock Strikes Me: Concerto for Percussion and Orchestra (revised 2025) 
World Premiere 
HOLST The Planets (with Symphonic Cinema) 
World Premiere 

Artists

Benjamin Northey  Conductor 
Rebecca Lagos  Percussion 
Lucas Van Woerkum Director, Symphonic Cinema 
Emma Thompson & Greg Wise actors on film 
Arts Umbrella Vancouver dancers on Film 
Sydney Philharmonia Choirs 

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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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