Page 146 - (DK Eyewitness) Travel Guide - Australia

144  SY DNEY

Performing Arts and Cinema Opera
In 1956, the Australian Opera
Sydney has a wealth of orchestral, choral, chamber and (now called Opera Australia)
contemporary music from which to choose, and of course was formed. It presented four
every visitor should enjoy a performance of some kind at the Mozart productions in its first
Sydney Opera House. There is also a stimulating range of year. But it was the opening of
the Sydney Opera House in
musicals, classic plays and Shakespeare by the Sea, as well as 1973 that heralded new public
contemporary, fringe, experimental theatre and comedy. interest. Opera Australia’s
Prominent playwrights include David Williamson, Debra summer season is held from
Oswald, Brendan Cowell, Stephen Sewell and Louis Nowra. early January to early March;
Australian film-making has also earned an excellent the winter season from June
international reputation. A rich variety of both local and to the end of October. Every
year at the popular Opera in
foreign films are screened throughout the year. The Domain, members of
Opera Australia perform excerpts
from famous pieces.
Classical Music
Synergy is one of Australia’s
Much of Sydney’s orchestral foremost percussion quartets.
music and recitals are the work of Its innovative performance Theatre
the famous Sydney Symphony style spans traditional and Sydney’s larger, mainstream
Orchestra (SSO). Numerous contemporary percussion musicals are staged at the
concerts are given, mostly in the from around the world. Theatre Royal, the opulent
Sydney Opera House Concert Hall State Theatre (see p94) and
(see pp88–9), the City Recital Hall the Capitol Theatre. The Star
and the Sydney Town Hall. Comedy entertainment and casino
The Australian Chamber The Comedy Store is known for complex boasts two theatres,
Orchestra also performs at the its line-up of performances by the Showroom, and the
Opera House and City Recital local and visiting comics in an first-rate Lyric Theatre for
Hall, and has won high acclaim intimate setting with a bar. It musical productions and
for its creativity. The Australia hosts shows most nights each stage shows.
Ensemble is the resident week and is the premier smaller Smaller venues also offer a
chamber music group at the venue for the popular Sydney range of interesting plays and
University of New South Wales. Comedy Festival. Monday is performances. These include
Many choral groups and comedy night at The Old Manly the Seymour Centre, the
ensembles book St James’ Boatshed, where both local and Belvoir and the Ensemble
Church (see p119) for their visiting comics perform. Tuesday Theatre. The Griffin Theatre
performances because of its is also comedy night at the Harold at The Stables specializes in
atmosphere and acoustics. Park Hotel, where special events works by new Australian
Formed in 1973, the respected and entertainment is offered playwrights, while the Parade
Sydney Youth Orchestra stages most nights of the week. Theatre at the National Institute
performances in major concert of Dramatic Arts (NIDA) show-
venues. The Australian Youth cases work by NIDA’s students.
Choir is booked for many private Dance The well-respected Sydney
functions, but if you are lucky, The Australian Ballet has two Theatre Company (STC)
you may catch one of their seven-week Sydney seasons at stages an impressive line-up
major annual performances. the Opera House: one in March/ of shows featuring acclaimed
Comprising the 120-strong April, the other in November/ and emerging actors at its
Sydney Philharmonia Symphonic December. Sydney Dance Walsh Bay theatres, including
Choir and the 40-member Company is the city’s leading The Wharf, as well as at the
Sydney Philharmonia Motet modern dance group. Produc- Sydney Opera House.
Choir, the Sydney Philharmonia tions are mostly staged at the The Bell Shakespeare
Choirs are the city’s finest. Sydney Opera House. Company productions
One of Sydney’s most impres- Bangarra Dance Theatre always feature an evocative
sive vocal groups is the Café of uses traditional Aboriginal and interpretation of the Bard.
the Gate of Salvation, which Torres Strait Islander dance and Shakespeare Australia
has been described as an “Aussie music as its inspiration. The performs The Wind in the
blend of a capella and gospel”. startling and original Legs on Willows in the Royal Botanic
Originally specializing in the Wall are a physical theatre Gardens every year in January.
chamber music, Musica Viva group, brilliantly combining The Sydney Festival
now presents string quartets, circus and aerial techniques provides an enjoyable
jazz, piano groups, percussionists, with dance and narrative, often celebration of original, often
soloists and international avant- performed while suspended edgy theatre, dance, music
garde artists as well. from skyscrapers. and visual arts.