Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Opera, Classical Music and Dance
Music buffs cannot possibly visit Sydney without seeing
an opera or hearing the city's premier orchestra
perform in the Sydney Opera House. And that is just
the start. Since the 1970s, music played in Sydney has
considerably broadened its base, opening the door to
all manner of influences from Asia, Europe and the
Pacific, not to mention local compositions. For the
visitor, there is a wealth of orchestral, choral, chamber
and contemporary music from which to choose.
Orchestra . Australia's first
period instrument orchestra,
this popular group appears
regularly in Sydney's major
concert halls.
CONTEMPORARY MUSIC
The first concert held by
Musica Viva was in 1945, at
the NSW Conservatorium of
Music. Originally specialising
in chamber music, it now also
presents string quartets, jazz,
piano groups, percussionists,
soloists and international
avant-garde artists. Concerts
take place at the Opera House
and the City Recital Hall.
Synergy is one of Australia's
foremost percussion quartets.
The group commissions
works from all over the world
and gives its own concert
series at the Sydney Opera
House and at Sydney Town
Hall. It also collaborates with
dance and theatre groups.
Eastside Arts , held, like
Paddington Markets (see
p126) , in the Uniting Church,
hosts Café Carnivale every
Friday night, showcasing
some of the best world
music, including rembetika,
Indian, African, percussion,
gypsy, salsa and tango music.
Fourplay is a group of
classically-trained musicians
who play electric string
quartet versions of popular
music at various venues.
OPERA
ORCHESTRAL MUSIC
Australia has produced a
number of world-class opera
singers, including Joan
Sutherland, and eminent
conductors such as Sir Charles
Mackerras, Simone Young and
Stuart Challender. The first
recorded performance of an
opera in Sydney was in 1834.
For 120 years, most opera
was performed by visiting
international companies.
In 1956, the Australian
Opera (now called Opera
Australia ) was formed. It
presented four Mozart operas
in its first year. But it was the
opening of the Sydney Opera
House (see pp74-7) in 1973
that heralded a new interest
in opera. Opera Australia's
summer season is held from
early January to early March;
the winter season from June
to the end of October. Each
season usually includes one
accessible opera in English as
well as more challenging
shows. Every year at the
hugely popular Opera in The
Domain (see p49) , members
of Opera Australia perform
excerpts from famous operas.
Much of Sydney's orchestral
music and recitals are the
work of the famous Sydney
Symphony Orchestra (SSO).
Numerous concerts are given,
mostly in the Opera House
Concert Hall, the City Recital
Hall and the Sydney Town
Hall (see p87) . A Tea and
Symphony series is held mid-
year on Friday mornings at
the Sydney Opera House.
The renovated Conserva-
torium of Music (see p106) ,
set in the Royal Botanic
Gardens, provides a
wonderful atmosphere and
location. It holds a number
of concerts, where you can
enjoy symphony and chamber
orchestras, or jazz big bands.
Formed in 1973, the Sydney
Youth Orchestra , is praised
for its talent, enthusiasm and
impressive young soloists.
With a loyal following, it
stages several performances
in major concert venues
throughout the year.
Aficionados of Baroque and
classical music should try to
catch a performance by the
Australian Brandenburg
CHAMBER MUSIC
Under director Richard
Tognetti, the Australian
Chamber Orchestra has won
high acclaim for its creativity
and interesting choice of
venues, including museums,
churches and even wineries.
Its main concerts are held at
the Opera House and the City
Recital Hall, Angel Place.
The Australia Ensemble is
the resident chamber music
group at the University of
New South Wales. It performs
six times a year at the Sir
John Clancy Auditorium and
also appears for Musica Viva.
Many choral groups and
ensembles like to book St
James' Church because of its
atmosphere and acoustics.
FREE CONCERTS
Throughout the year, festivals provide free live music (see
pp48-51) . These are mostly held outdoors, to take advantage
of Sydney's warm weather. During the Sydney Festival the
city's favourite outdoor concerts take place, including Opera
in the Park, Symphony in the Domain and the Australia Day
Concert, all held in The Domain, as well as Latin music in
the Aquadome at Darling Harbour and events in the
Sydney Opera House forecourt.
The Conservatorium of Music holds a weekly series of
inexpensive concerts in their Verbrugghen Hall (see p106)
during the university semester, entry is by gold coin ($1 or
$2) donation. Staff and students present classical, modern
and jazz music in ensemble, soloist and chamber perfor-
mances. Each January the renowned choir of St James' (see
p115 and p213) present two orchestral masses to the
congregation and entry is free.
 
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