Page 214 - (DK Eyewitness) Travel Guide - Sydney

212  TR A VELLERS ’ NEEDS

Opera, Classical Music and Dance

Music buffs cannot possibly visit Sydney without seeing period instrument orchestra,
an opera or hearing the city’s premier orchestra perform in this popular group appears
the Sydney Opera House. And that is just the start. The wide regularly in Sydney’s major
range of music on offer in Sydney includes influences from concert halls.
Asia, Europe and the Pacific, as well as local compositions.
For the visitor, there is a wealth of orchestral, choral, Contemporary Music
chamber, contemporary and traditional Aboriginal The first concert held by Musica
music to choose from. Viva was in 1945, at the NSW
Conservatorium of Music.
Originally specializing in chamber
Opera Orchestral Music
music, it now also presents string
Australia has produced a number Much of Sydney’s orchestral quartets, jazz, piano groups,
of world-class opera singers, music and recitals are the work of percussionists, soloists and
including Joan Sutherland, and the famous Sydney Symphony international avant-garde artists.
eminent conductors such as Orchestra (SSO). Numerous Concerts take place at the Opera
Sir Charles Mackerras, Simone concerts are given, mostly in House and the City Recital Hall.
Young and Stuart Challender. the Opera House Concert Hall, Synergy is one of Australia’s
The first recorded performance the City Recital Hall and the foremost percussion quartets.
of an opera in Sydney was in Sydney Town Hall (see p89). The group commissions works
1834. For 120 years, most opera A Tea and Symphony series is from all over the world and
was performed by visiting held mid-year on Friday mornings gives its own concert series at
international companies. at the Sydney Opera House. the Sydney Opera House and
In 1956, the Australian Opera The renovated Conserva- at Sydney Town Hall. It also
(now called Opera Australia) was torium of Music (see p108), collaborates with dance and
formed. It presented four Mozart set in the Royal Botanic theatre groups.
operas in its first year. But it was Garden, provides a wonderful Eastside Arts, held, like
the opening of the Sydney Opera atmosphere and location. Paddington Markets (see p128),
House (see pp76–9) in 1973 that It holds a number of concerts, in the Uniting Church, hosts
heralded a new interest in the where you can enjoy symphony Café Carnivale every Friday
art form. Each season usually and chamber orchestras, or night, showcasing some of
includes one accessible opera in jazz big bands. the best world music, including
English as well as more challeng- Formed in 1973, the Sydney rembetika, Indian, African,
ing shows. Looking to push the Youth Orchestra, is praised percussion, gypsy, salsa and
boundaries of performance, the for its talent, enthusiasm and tango music.
company has staged productions impressive young soloists. With Fourplay is a group of
of Turandot and Carmen on a loyal following, it stages several classically trained musicians
Sydney Harbour for an audience performances in major concert who play electric string quartet
seated at the water’s edge. venues throughout the year. versions of popular music at
Every year at the hugely popular Aficionados of Baroque and various venues.
Opera in The Domain (see p51), classical music should try to
members of Opera Australia put catch a performance by the Chamber Music
on a free, open-air performance Australian Brandenburg
as part of the Sydney Festival. Orchestra. Australia’s first Under director Richard Tognetti,
the Australian Chamber
Orchestra has won acclaim for
Free Concerts
its creativity and interesting
Throughout the year, festivals (see pp50–53) provide free live choice of venues, including
music. These are mostly held outdoors, to take advantage of museums, churches and even
Sydney’s warm climate. During the Sydney Festival the city’s wineries. Its main concerts are
favourite outdoor concerts take place, including Opera and held at the Opera House and
Symphony performances staged under the stars in The Domain the City Recital Hall, Angel Place.
(see p109), while regular shows and events are held in the Sydney The Australia Ensemble is the
Opera House forecourt. resident chamber music group
The Conservatorium of Music holds a weekly series of at the University of New South
inexpensive concerts in their Verbrugghen Hall (see p108) at Wales. It performs six times
1:10pm each Wednesday during the university semester; entry is a year at the Sir John Clancy
by gold coin (A$1 or A$2) donation. Staff and students present
classical, modern and jazz music in ensemble, soloist and chamber Auditorium and also appears
perfor mances. Each January the renowned choir of St James’ (see for Musica Viva. Many choral
p117 and p213) presents two orchestral masses to the congregation, groups and ensembles like to
and entry to these events is free. book St James’ Church because
of its atmosphere and acoustics.

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