By Igor Stravinsky
With The Sydney Symphony and Sydney Philharmonia Choirs
Conductor: Joana Carneiro, Director: Peter Sellars
Chorus Director: Brett Weymark

"A potent theatrical experience." - The New Yorker

This rarely-performed double bill of Stravinsky masterworks features an epic staging by internationally acclaimed director Peter Sellars.

Sellars’ production, created for a reconfigured Sydney Opera House Concert Hall, is brutally dramatic, visceral and starkly unadorned apart from seven magnificent thrones, created by Ethiopian artist Elias Sime to represent the main characters in the tragedy.

Last staged in Sydney over 30 years ago, Oedipus Rex is musically dazzling from its first explosive chorus to its violent, predestined conclusion. This telling balances the bleakness of Oedipus' death with the redemptive chorus of Symphony of Psalms, allowing the myth to end in transfiguration and peace.

In her Australian debut, rising star Joana Carneiro conducts the Sydney Symphony, 120 members of the Sydney Philharmonia Choirs and a dynamic American/Australian cast of soloists including Rodrick Dixon, Ryan McKinny and Daniel Montenegro reprising their roles from the LA Philharmonic production, Yvonne Kenny as Jocasta, Paula Arundell as Antigone/Narrator and Bangarra Dance Theatre’s Elma Kris as Ismene.

Sung in Latin with English surtitles.

This production originated with the Los Angeles Philharmonic in April 2009.

Photo: Gary Friedman / Los Angeles Times. Cast members from 2009 production.

Limited wheelchair seating. TTY 02 9250 7347.


TIME CHANGE NOTICE:
Oedipus Rex & Symphony of Psalms - Thursday January 28

Due to all venues at the Sydney Opera House being utilised on January 28, the start time for Oedipus Rex & Symphony of Psalms on January 28 has been changed to 8.30pm instead of 8pm.

The duration is 90 minutes including interval, so the performance on January 28 will conclude at 10pm. Please note the start times for Oedipus Rex & Symphony of Psalms on January 29 and January 30 remain unchanged at 8pm.

This change will allow all patrons attending performances at Sydney Opera House on the evening of Thursday January 28 easier access to their respective venues. We hope you enjoy the performance!