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The Sydney Symphony Orchestra with Jess Gillam

Intoxicating rhythms

Jess Gillam may only be 25, but the British saxophonist is already a star.

Concert Hall, Sydney Opera House
  • Thu 18 Jul, 2024, 7:00pm Thu 18 July, 2024, 7:00pm
  • Fri 19 Jul, 2024, 11:00am Fri 19 July, 2024, 11:00am
Venue
Concert Hall, Sydney Opera House
Adult tickets from $45, concessions available
Thursday performance
Reserve A
Adult
A$49.00
Under 35
A$44.00
Child
A$44.00
Friday performance
Reserve Premium A B C D
Adult AdultPremium$85.00
A$77.00
B$66.00
C$50.00
D$45.00
*Booking fee of $8.95 may apply

Duration

The concert will conclude at approximately 8:15pm (Thursday) and 12pm (Friday). Latecomers might be admitted during a suitable break in the performance and will be guided to first available seats.

Pre-Concert

Join us for the pre-concert talk 45 minutes before the performance in the Northern Foyer, with Megan Steller, including an interview with saxophone soloist Jess Gillam (Thursday only).

CONCERT GUIDE

Behind every great piece is a great story. Have a read through the concert guide to get all the details.

There is a separate concert guide for both performances. Please download the concert guide for the performance you are attending.

Thursday (5.28 MB) Thursday (5.28 MB) Friday (4.84 MB) Friday (4.84 MB)

‘Gillam spreads joy.’ (The Times)

With her natural energy, infectious personality and talent to spare, she was the first saxophonist to reach the finals of BBC Young Musician and the youngest-ever soloist to perform at the Last Night of the Proms. An extraordinary talent, she has already been awarded honours for services to music.

And can she play.

Her natural effervescence makes her the perfect choice for Michael Nyman’s Where the Bee Dances. This marriage of saxophone and orchestra launches with expressive, driving rhythms and an irresistible arrangement. Gillam brings her vivid and bright playing to the piece, losing herself in its swirling drive. Don’t miss this exuberant and entirely original performer.

Specially selected for this concert by acclaimed conductor Umberto Clerici, Rachmaninov’s Symphonic Dances forms the ideal companion work. With its absorbing harmonies, sumptuous tone colours and intoxicating rhythms, the last piece Rachmaninov ever composed captures everything that made him one of the 20th century’s best-loved composers.

Program

RAVEL La Valse*
Michael NYMAN Where the Bee Dances
RACHMANINOV Symphonic Dances
*Symphony Hour performance only on Thursday 18 July

Artists

UMBERTO CLERICI conductor & presenter
JESS GILLAM saxophone

*Terms & Conditions may apply.

Read the Terms & Conditions