Sydney Opera House

Sequins, circus and disco collide in this sparkly evolution of the hit show Velvet. Marcia Hines stars as The Diva, with Brendan Maclean as Country Mike and KYE joining as newcomer Gloria, in a hedonistic homage to Studio 54. Playing until 13 September.

Stroll down to the Sydney Opera House and join Opera Australia's finest singers for a concert of the greatest arias ever written, from Bizet to Puccini to Verdi. These relaxed evening concerts take place as the sun sets over Sydney Harbour — the perfect introduction to opera's biggest hits.

World-renowned choral conductor Stephen Layton leads a stellar quartet of Australian voices through Mozart's most complex and mysterious masterpiece, alongside works by Fauré and Vaughan Williams. From 9 September.

Saint-Saëns' zoological fantasy comes to life with the Sydney Symphony Orchestra, bringing tiptoeing tortoises, roaring lions and more to the Concert Hall stage for the whole family. One day only, 12 September.

Part performance, part guided tour, this engaging concert led by Benjamin Northey unpacks what makes Beethoven's Seventh Symphony tick — perfect for classical newcomers and seasoned fans alike. One night only, 15 September.

Umberto Clerici conducts a richly textured program pairing Ligeti's Romanian folk-inspired Concert Românesc with the cheerful, folk-drenched charm of Dvořák's Eighth Symphony. From 18 September.

National guitarist and composer Bryce Dessner (The National) joins cellist Anastasia Kobekina for the Australian premiere of his own Trembling Earth, alongside Dvořák's Eighth Symphony. From 19 September.

Following her acclaimed 2024 Sydney debut, soprano Ying Fang returns for Canteloube's lush Songs of the Auvergne, before Sir Donald Runnicles leads Brahms' intricate Fourth Symphony. From 8 October.

Rising star Isata Kanneh-Mason makes her Australian debut, pairing Beethoven's Moonlight and Waldstein sonatas with Ravel's fiendishly difficult Gaspard de la Nuit. One night only, 12 October.

In her Sydney debut, violinist Bomsori Kim brings fire and poetry to Tchaikovsky's Violin Concerto, paired with the irrepressible rhythms of Beethoven's Seventh Symphony. Conducted by Sir Donald Runnicles. From 14 October.

The battle for the galaxy intensifies as John Williams' Oscar-nominated score is performed live to film by the Sydney Symphony Orchestra, following Han, Leia and Luke's fight against the Empire. From 21 October.

"Kick it to me!" From Suzie Miller — the acclaimed playwright behind the international sensation Prima Facie and RBG: Of Many, One — comes the untold story of the AFLW's birth, from a bold 2010 proposal to a sporting revolution. Playing at the Sydney Opera House from 22 October.

Justin Peck's joyous modern ballet makes its exclusive Australian premiere and first performances outside New York. Thirty dancers bring Aaron Copland's vivid score to life across 22 electric episodes. From 6 November.

Welsh bass-baritone Sir Bryn Terfel performs an intimate program of Welsh folk songs, musical theatre and classical lieder, joined by harpist Hannah Stone and pianist Andrea Lam. One night only, 26 October.

Sir Bryn Terfel takes on one of his signature roles as Chief Conductor Simone Young leads a world-class cast and the Sydney Philharmonia Choirs through Mendelssohn's towering oratorio. From 30 October.

Introduce your littlest ones (ages 0–5) to live orchestral music with Holst's iconic The Planets, arranged for small ensemble in an interactive, 30-minute format. One day only, 31 October.

Chief Conductor Simone Young pairs the world premiere of a new work by Sydney composer Ella Macens with JS Bach's ceremonial Third Orchestral Suite and Mozart's radiant, mercurial Symphony No.39. From 6 November.

Bell Shakespeare's acclaimed production of Shakespeare's darkest tragedy returns to Sydney, following Macbeth and Lady Macbeth's insatiable hunger for power, posterity and certainty into moral collapse. From 18 November.

Chief Conductor Simone Young draws the Sydney Symphony's four-year Ring Cycle to a thunderous finale, leading an all-star cast including Anja Kampe as Brünnhilde. From 19 November.

Sir Peter Wright's beloved production of Tchaikovsky's last ballet score returns, following young Clara's Christmas Eve journey through whirling snowflakes to the Land of Sweets. From 28 November.

Celebrate 25 years of witchcraft and wizardry as the film that started it all soars across the big screen while John Williams' Oscar-nominated score is performed live by the Sydney Symphony Orchestra. From 2 December.