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Donald Runnicles stands with his left hand raised as he conducts an orchestra

Donald Runnicles conducts Strauss & Beethoven

13 & 14 June 2025

In the Concert Hall

Sydney Symphony Orchestra

Classical Music

Embark on an epic hero’s quest with Sydney Symphony Orchestra Principal Guest Conductor Sir Donald Runnicles. Cinematic in scale, you’ll be on the edge of your seat for the whole ride.

A hero’s journey

Richard Strauss’ A Hero’s Life (Ein Heldenleben) is the centrepiece of this concert. The music is indeed heroic: rich and colourful, with energy, vitality and personality worthy of any Hollywood blockbuster. Strauss pushes the orchestra to its limits in volume and virtuosity, and the exquisite solo violin part is one of the most demanding and extraordinary in all of music.

Based on the famous fairytale, Humperdinck’s Hansel and Gretel conjures an enchanting world of forests and witches, the music rivalling the plot for drama and adventure. Following its American premiere in 1905 The New York Times described it as ‘an achievement of the highest talent and skill,’ and its charms have not diminished since. 

Opening the concert with Beethoven’s vibrant and energetic Overture from The Creatures of Prometheus, Sir Donald Runnicles will bring his decades of experience conducting at the world’s leading opera houses to bring these gripping stories to life.

Presented by Sydney Symphony Orchestra

Programme

BEETHOVEN The Creatures of Prometheus: Overture
HUMPERDINCK Hansel and Gretel: Suite
R STRAUSS A Hero’s Life (Ein Heldenleben)

Artist information

DONALD RUNNICLES conductor

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