The Sydney Opera House’s vibrant Utzon Music series celebrates its 20th anniversary in 2027, with recorder virtuoso Genevieve Lacey returning as curator for a third year.
Set in the intimate, east-facing harbour-view Utzon Room – designed by Sydney Opera House architect Jørn Utzon – the series features 11 performances from February to November by 35 artists from Australia and around the world.
Characterised by an ambitious, genre-defying spirit, the 2027 program spans an eclectic tapestry of musicality, from Baroque, jazz and Celtic folk to Scottish Gaelic, West African, Persian and Chinese traditions.
Highlights include Celtic folk band The Haar, a rare solo recital from leading proponent of the kora Ballaké Sissoko, jazz pianist Paul Grabowsky alongside guzheng player Mindy Meng Wang, Scottish smallpipes master Brìghde Chaimbeul, Pulitzer and Grammy winner Caroline Shaw with Nordic quartet Kamus Quartet – and more, pushing the boundaries of chamber music across centuries, cultures and traditions.
“Sitting among the Utzon Music audiences throughout 2026, I’ve noticed that, for many people, music is home. It holds culture, family, memory and landscapes, both real and imagined,” said Genevieve Lacey, curator of Utzon Music 2027.
“Utzon Music 2027 celebrates the dazzling diversity of chamber music across the globe, and music’s ability to bring us together. We welcome a cast of glorious dreamers and players who bring home with them and share it with us through sound, in Utzon’s light-drenched listening space.”
Utzon Music 2027 features:
- Quartet X || Sunday 7 February – A newly formed all-female ensemble of Australian talents: Courtenay Cleary (violin), Claire Edwardes (percussion), Emily Granger (harp) and Karin Schaupp (guitar). Blending classical precision with pop sensibility, the ensemble reimagines beloved 20th century masterpieces by Caroline Shaw and Michael Nyman alongside fresh arrangements of Billie Eilish, Ariana Grande and Seal.
- Filippo Gorini || Sunday 21 February – Italian pianist Filippo Gorini makes his Sydney debut as part of his globe-spanning Sonata for 7 Cities project, only playing a select few cities each year. Performing Schumann, Schubert and Beethoven alongside a new composition by German composer Oscar Jockel.
- The Haar || Sunday 14 March – Transcendental Celtic folk quartet The Haar make their Australian debut, with their exhilarating and spontaneous transformations of traditional Irish and Scottish songs. All-Ireland Scór na nÓg winner Molly Donnery’s spellbinding vocals meet the virtuosity of Cormàc Byrne (bodhrán), Adam Summerhayes (fiddle) and Murray Grainger (accordion).
- Melisa Yıldırım & Swarupa Ananth || Sunday 11 April – Renowned Kamancha performer Melisa Yıldırım joins acclaimed tabla maestro and producer Swarupa Ananth for their Australian debuts in a mesmerising performance honouring Anatolian and Indian musical traditions that embraces modern improvisation.
- Rosin Octet || Sunday 2 May – Netherlands-based Rosin Octet unites players from seven countries. Regarded as one of Europe’s most exciting young string ensembles, the octet brings Mendelssohn’s String Octet to life alongside works by Caroline Shaw and Australian composer Harry Sdraulig.
- Paul Grabowsky & Mindy Meng Wang || Sunday 20 June – ARIA Award-winning Australian pianist and composer Paul Grabowsky joins world-leading guzheng artist Mindy Meng Wang. Performing original works from their collaborative album Between Dreams (2025), the duo seamlessly weaves together the spontaneity of contemporary jazz with Chinese musical tradition.
- Ballaké Sissoko || Sunday 25 July – A descendant of Malian Griots, Ballaké Sissoko is a modern-day master of the West African kora. Known for his sonic innovation, Sissoko will perform a recital of original works written for the ancient 21-stringed instrument.
- Les Kapsber’girls || Sunday 8 August – French early music ensemble Les Kapsber’girls make their Australian debut, reviving 17th and 18th century Baroque works from France, Italy and Spain.
- Francesca Dego & Andrea Lam || Sunday 19 September – Two award-winning soloists, Italian violinist Francesca Dego and Australian pianist Andrea Lam, come together to perform masterpieces by Debussy and Beethoven, along with contemporary works by Italian composers Luca Francesconi and Giovanni Sollima.
- Caroline Shaw & Kamus Quartet || Sunday 24 October – Pulitzer Prize and Grammy award-winning composer, vocalist and violinist Caroline Shaw joins leading Finnish string quartet Kamus Quartet for a beguiling presentation of original works by Shaw, Beethoven and Renaissance composer Josquin des Prez.
- Brìghde Chaimbeul || Sunday 14 November – A leading purveyor of Celtic experimentalism and master of the Scottish smallpipes, Brìghde Chaimbeul fuses traditional Gaelic piping with experimental, ambient and avant-garde influences through drone-based arrangements, having collaborated with the likes of Caroline Polachek and Colin Stetson.
Utzon Music 2027 takes place in the Utzon Room – Sydney Opera House from February – November. For more information and full program, visit: www.sydneyoperahouse.com for details.
Images: The Haar – photo by Jeremy Walker | Quartet X (supplied)