Melisa Yildirim and Swarupa Ananth-Sawkar standing side by side with traditional instruments.

Melisa Yıldırım & Swarupa Ananth

  • Classical Music

Book early and save. Book before 27 Oct 2026 to save 10% on standard tickets or book a package – 2 events to save 15% or 3+ events to save 20%.

  • Utzon Room
  • Run time: 70 minutes Subject to change

Where the kamancheh meets the tabla in a wonderful musical conversation

Their exchange begins with a single note. From there, Melisa Yıldırım and Swarupa Ananth will guide the room through a delicate and expressive musical conversation.

The duo present Hues of Imagination, where the ancient voice of the Anatolian kamancheh meets the resonant rhythms of the Indian tabla. Rooted in tradition but shaped by a shared contemporary vision, they create a captivating musical dialogue that unfolds in the moment. 

Yıldırım’s kamancheh sings with a rich, vocal quality, while Ananth’s tabla provides rhythmic pulse and elastic groove. Together, they weave intricate textures and shifting moods into a mesmerising listening experience that fills the Utzon Room.

With Ananth’s acclaim as a producer and Yıldırım’s reputation for expressive, intuitive playing, the result is a performance rich in nuance, spontaneity and quiet momentum. Honouring musical traditions that stretch back centuries while embracing improvisation and fresh perspectives, they create something both timeless and immediate.

Sydney Opera House thanks Event Partner Champagne Pommery, The Greats donors and Ezekiel Solomon AM for their support of Utzon Music.

Presented by Sydney Opera House

Event details

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Attending this event

Practical information about this event, ticketing and visiting. If you have questions or need help, see our general terms and conditions for tickets and events or contact us.

Ticket information

If you have further questions or need help, please refer to our general terms and conditions for tickets and events or contact a member of our team on 1300 764 849.

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

Utzon Room

The Utzon Room is located on the Eastern side of the Opera House, in front of the Joan Sutherland Theatre. Best accessed through the Box Office Foyer or 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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