Sydney Opera House 40th Anniversary Concert

SOH_1973 ed 1An exceptional line-up of Australian talent has been announced for the Sydney Opera House 40th Anniversary Concert on Sunday 27 October 2013.

Deborah Mailman, Baz Luhrmann, Sarah Blasko, John Butler, Megan Washington, Paul Grabowsky and members of the Wharf Revue are among the stars who will join the Sydney Symphony Orchestra, artists from Opera Australia and the Sydney Philharmonia Choirs for the 40th Anniversary Concert.

The Concert will take place at twilight on the Opera House Forecourt, which will be returned to the people of Sydney for this historic event after three years of upgrades.

It will begin with an innovative welcome to country and close with the Sydney Symphony Orchestra performing the work that opened the Opera House in October 1973, Beethoven’s Ninth Symphony, conducted by Miguel Harth-Bedoya and featuring soloists from Opera Australia and the vocal heft of the Sydney Philharmonia Choirs.

The 40th Anniversary celebrations will draw on the Opera House’s extraordinary history and heritage, as Australia’s most famous building begins a decade of renewal.

Underlining the enduring links between Australia and Denmark first forged by the Opera House, Denmark’s Crown Prince Couple, HRH Crown Prince Federik and HRH Crown Princess Mary, will be present at the Concert as Patrons of the Anniversary celebrations, along with the family of Opera House architect Jørn Utzon.

“I am thrilled that the 40th Anniversary Concert will feature such a rich seam of Australian talent across art forms, genres and generations,” says Sydney Opera House CEO, Louise Herron AM

“The Opera House was established to help transform a young nation. The Anniversary Concert shows the vitality of Australian culture four decades on, as we embark on a decade of renewal to ensure the Opera House can continue transforming Australian life.”

Award-winning musician John Butler said: “Sydney Opera House is such an iconic cultural venue. Every time I go there I am awestruck by its confident design, massive history and sublime setting. It’s the Uluru of music venues. I love that place. Happy birthday Sydney Opera House!”

For more information, visit: www.sydneyoperahouse.com/40 for details.

Image: courtesy of the Sydney Opera House