Australian Music Centre | Breaking sound barriers

Event Details

Sir Simon Rattle conducts the Australian World Orchestra (AWO) for 2 electrifying concerts in the Sydney Opera House with special guest mezzo-soprano Magdalena Kožená. Since its inaugural concert series in 2011 the AWO has established its place as one of the world’s most exciting orchestras.

The 2015 season will include 95 Australian musicians from over 30 cities around the world, all of whom play in the world’s leading orchestras and ensembles, from the Berlin and Vienna Philharmonic Orchestras to the Concertgebouw, London and Chicago Symphony Orchestras, as well as Australia’s own magnificent state orchestras. We showcase the finest Australian musicians.

Following the outstanding success of their 2013 series under world-renowned conductor, Zubin Mehta, (“The concert of the year … in a word matchless” – Limelight Magazine), the AWO has once again attracted one of the world’s leading and most charismatic conductors, Music Director of the incomparable Berlin Philharmonic Orchestra, Sir Simon Rattle. 

The programme will commence with Debussy’s sublime “Prélude à l'après-midi d'un faune”. Czech mezzo-soprano, Magdalena Kožená, one of the most outstanding singers of our generation, will join the orchestra to perform Debussy’s gorgeous “Ariettes oubliées”, in an arrangement especially orchestrated for the AWO by Australian composer, Brett Dean. 

The major work on this Romantic programme will be Bruckner’s monumental tour de force 8th Symphony, a work ingrained in Sir Simon Rattle’s soul.

Take a journey to a sound world you never knew existed.

Featured non-Australian music: Bruckner, Debussy

Featured Australian Works

Featured artists

• Performer Australian World Orchestra
• Performer Magdalena Kožená
• Conductor Simon Rattle