Two soldiers stand in front of a pile of discarded missiles.

Britten’s War Requiem

  • Classical Music
  • Sydney Philharmonia Choirs
  • Concert Hall
  • Run time: 95 minutes, 1 interval Subject to change
  • Seating map

Britten’s War Requiem begins with the eerie tolling of bells; it ends in a whisper. In between we hear the lyrical ghosts of young men and a fierce denunciation of war. It might be 65 years old, but this music still speaks powerfully today (and we wish it didn’t). Join us for this rare opportunity to hear the War Requiem with Brett Weymark conducting the Festival Chorus.

You can hear Britten’s War Requiem as a lament. You can hear it as a fierce call for peace. Hope and consolation rub shoulders with violence and despair as Britten weaves traditional Requiem texts with Wilfred Owen’s war poetry. The music veers between intimacy, even tenderness, and an almost brutal magnificence with more than a hint of Verdi. 

The War Requiem emerged from a world that was rebuilding after the trauma of World War II. Today’s world is still torn by conflict and cruelty. It’s easy to feel powerless, to feel numb in the face of suffering. But Britten has given us music to make us think and help us heal.

Presented by Sydney Philharmonia Choirs

Event details

Nothing short of breathtaking

Limelight

...the [chorus] roared into life, as one. It was visceral and thrilling.

The Sydney Morning Herald

Program

Benjamin BRITTEN War Requiem

Artists

Brett Weymark conductor
Elizabeth Scott conductor (chamber orchestra)
Michael Bradshaw conductor (children’s choir)
Elin Pritchard soprano
Kyle Stegal tenor
Morgan Pearse baritone
Conservatorium High School Treble Voices

Festival Chorus
The Sydney Youth Orchestra

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Attending this event

Plan your visit

Address

Sydney Opera House
Bennelong Point
Sydney NSW 2000
Australia

Getting to the venue

The Opera House is a 7-10 minute walk from Circular Quay, and is easily accessible by car, train, ferry, lightrail, bus, bike and on foot.

Location and access

Concert Hall

The Concert Hall is located beneath the largest of Sydney Opera House’s roof sails, filling the upper levels of the west side of the building. Best accessed through the covered concourse. 

All Sydney Opera House foyers are accessible, with lifts to the main and western foyers. The public lift to all foyers is accessible from the corridor near the escalators on the Lower Concourse and also in the Western Foyer via the corridor on the Ground Level (at the top of the escalators).

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