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A black and white photo of Conductor Eric Whiteacre with a red and yellow sparkly background

Eternity in an HourEric Whitacre Conducts

27 June 2025

In the Concert Hall

Sydney Philharmonia Choirs

Classical Music

Legendary choral leader and composer Eric Whitacre returns to Sydney to conduct his latest choral work, a mystical meditation in sound. 

Contemplative, mystical and soaring by turns

ClassicalSource

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Eternity in an Hour

To see a World in a Grain of Sand 
And a Heaven in a Wild Flower, 
Hold Infinity in the palm of your hand 
And Eternity in an hour. 

These words by William Blake have fascinated Eric Whitacre for years, and his obsession has taken shape as an hour-long meditation in sound – a musical guide to ‘how to be truly in the moment’. Written for voices, instruments and an ethereal blanket of electronics, Eternity in an Hour shimmers and soars and fills the air with disembodied harmonies. 

Whitacre is a legend in the choral world – his charismatic music with its delicious chord clusters is a dream to sing and mesmerising to hear. In a welcome return to the Sydney Opera House he conducts Sydney Philharmonia Choirs’ youth ensemble VOX in this new hour-long creation. 

Preparing our ears for the ultimate in contemplative experiences, Whitacre has chosen two of his most popular choral works, Edwin London’s take on a Bach chorale, ‘Come, sweet death’, and Past Life Melodies by Sarah Hopkins, an immersive blending of global vocal traditions that has become one of the most performed Australian choral works worldwide.

Presented by Sydney Philharmonia Choirs

Program

Eric WHITACRE Lux Aurumque
Sarah HOPKINS Past Life Melodies
Eric WHITACRE Cloudburst
Edwin LONDON Bach (Again), after ‘Come, Sweet Death’ by J.S. Bach
Eric WHITACRE Eternity in an Hour†*

† Commissioned by the 2024 BBC Proms, Netherlands Radio Choir and Sydney Philharmonia Choirs
* Australian premiere 

Artists

Eric Whitacre conductor

VOX

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