2023 sees a full return to live performances throughout Sydney in a variety of settings, and January offers a wide range of events for you to experience.
Thursday January 5: International Classical Music Concert
Tom Mann Theatre (136 Chalmers St Surry Hills, NSW 2010)
Some the greatest classically-trained Polish musicians gather in Sydney: Christopher Malek, Gregory Kinda, Beata Stanowska and Halina Gad are joined by the string orchestra L’estro Armonico and others. Experience a program featuring music by Chopin, Wieniawski, Twardowski, Beethoven and more, for a sensational musical experience.
Monday January 9: Asko|Schönberg In Concert With Offspring Ensemble
Sydney Opera House Drama Theatre (Bennelong Point, Sydney 2000)
Enjoy an exclusive concert evening featuring the music of modernist masters.
Balancing a rich repertoire of vintage modernist music with the innovations of living voices, Asko|Schönberg has long been associated with Dutch legend Louis Andriessen. In a Sydney Festival exclusive, Asko|Schönberg collaborates with Australia’s own contemporary music innovators, Ensemble Offspring to honour his legacy through the music of his students.
Andriessen’s work was anything but uniform, boldly acknowledging its kinship to other musical styles, be it Stravinsky or Charlie Parker, Bach or Ives. His colossal influence on modern music is felt worldwide. In America, his students included minimalist legends David Lang and Julia Wolfe, while Australian composers Mary Finsterer, Damien Ricketson and Kate Moore have been heavily influenced by his unique take on minimalism.
These disciples of Andriessen are all renowned composers with identifiable styles of their own, which is in fact his most significant teaching: to develop one’s own signature.
Sunday January 15: Zenith Sunday Sessions: Phoenix Collective Vivaldi Four Seasons
Zenith Theatre and Convention Centre (Mcintosh St &, Railway St, Chatswood NSW)
Enjoy a musical journey from the icy winds of winter to the tempestuous summer storms! In a performance by soloist Dan Russell and premier string quartet Phoenix Collective, you’ll be carried through one of the greatest classical music works of all time in its entirety. With character, nuance and expression, they bring Vivaldi’s Four Seasons to life in this captivating and dynamic classical music concert. Get your tickets now for Zenith Sunday Sessions: Phoenix Collective Vivaldi Four Seasons in Sydney.
January 21: Symphony Under The Stars
Parramatta Park Cnr Pitt & Macquarie Sts, Parramatta, Sydney 2150
A free event featuring a concerto from Tan Dun, Chinese and Vietnamese folk favourites, classic film scores and symphonic masterpieces from Stravinsky and Debussy, this will be an evening of good company and great music. Free, unticketed and featuring a rousing fireworks finale, there’s a reason Sydney Symphony Under the Stars is a permanent fixture on the Festival’s annual calendar.
Wednesday January 25: Woven Song
City Recital Hall (2 Angel Place, Sydney NSW 2000)
Woven Song is the latest international project by Short Black Opera, featuring new compositions by Deborah Cheetham AO.
A contemporary chamber series inspired by the Australian Tapestry Workshop Embassy Tapestries, the project celebrates works of art from an ancient culture, reinterpreted and recreated by the exceptional weavers at the Australian Tapestry Workshop, inspiring a contemporary response in current classical music practice. It is an innovative project that breathes new life into each work, honouring the artistic excellence of the artists involved in creating these three-dimensional works of cultural expression.
Through this important project, Cheetham gives voice to the material works, engaging in the telling of First Nations stories. Woven Song is a unique collaboration across cultures and art forms, building international creative communities. Cheetham performs with musicians local to each country – Singapore, Japan, France, Ireland and China – breathing new life into each work.
Woven Song celebrates works of art from an ancient culture, reinterpreted and recreated by the exceptional weavers at the Australian Tapestry Workshop, inspiring a contemporary response in current classical music practice.
Sunday January 29: Symphony in the Park – East Meets West
Chatswood Oval Albert Avenue and Orchard Road Chatswood, NSW 2067
Chatswood Year of the Rabbit Festival presents this unforgettable free outdoor concert featuring classical music from East to West.
This ground breaking concert from the Willoughby Symphony Orchestra will now be free for thousands to enjoy at Chatswood Oval. Bring along a picnic blanket and settle in for an unforgettable evening featuring a spectacular line-up of classical music from East to West.
Sunday January 29: Zenith Sunday Sessions: Simon Tedeschi with George Washingmachine
Zenith Theatre and Convention Centre (Mcintosh St &, Railway St, Chatswood NSW)
Join the extraordinary concert pianist, Simon Tedeschi, as he teams up with vocalist and violinist, George Washinmachine to deliver a performance of musical magic. Australia’s renowned classical musician, Tedeschi, has had a long-harboured love of jazz with three celebrated albums of Gershwin’s music to his name. Together, they’ll bring to life Gershwin favourites and classic jazz standards by Cole Porter, Oscar Peterson and more. Get your tickets now for Zenith Sunday Sessions: Simon Tedeschi with George Washingmachine in Sydney.