In a celebration of musical revolution and historical milestones, the Sydney Opera House Concert Hall will play host to a landmark event on 26 October 2024—an extraordinary concert commemorating the 200th anniversary of Beethoven’s Ninth Symphony.
This monumental piece, renowned for its powerful ‘Ode to Joy’ choral finale, redefined the symphonic form by integrating human voices, and has since become a resounding anthem for equality, freedom, and unity across the globe.
Presented for one inspirational concert only, “Ode to Joy – Beethoven & Smyth” promises an evening steeped in musical brilliance and historical significance. Under the baton of the inimitable Elizabeth Scott, the Sydney Philharmonia Choirs’ 400-strong Festival Chorus, alongside special guest soloists Bronwyn Douglass, Helen Sherman, Bradley Daley, and Michael Honeyman, will bring this masterpiece to life. Adding another layer of youthful exuberance to the performance, the Sydney Youth Orchestra will join forces in this magnificent collaboration.
Not content with merely celebrating Beethoven’s legacy, the program also shines a spotlight on another trailblazing composer, Dame Ethel Smyth. Known for her fervent activism and defiance of societal norms, Smyth’s contributions to music and the suffragette movement remain inspiring. Her grand Mass in D, hailed as a masterpiece upon its premiere in 1893, will be performed, echoing the sentiments of George Bernard Shaw, who praised her work for dispelling the notion that women could not accomplish great feats in art.
Smyth, a formidable figure in the male-dominated world of classical music, used her platform to champion equality. Her anthem, “The March of the Women,” composed during her imprisonment for suffragette activities, will also feature, serving as a powerful reminder of the ongoing fight for women’s voices in every arena.
This concert is more than just a performance; it’s a celebration of two composers who broke barriers and forged new paths. It offers audiences a chance to witness music that speaks profoundly of struggle and triumph—an ode to the indomitable spirit of human creativity.
Attendees are invited to enrich their experience with a free pre-concert talk in the Northern Foyer at 1:15pm. Brett Weymark, in conversation with 2MBS Fine Music Sydney, will delve into the evening’s program, providing insights into the composers’ lives and legacies.
Tickets for this unmissable event are available at sydneyphilharmonia.com.au/concerts/2024season/odetojoy/. Don’t miss the opportunity to be part of what promises to be one of the most talked-about choral music events of the year. Engage with history, celebrate groundbreaking artistry, and immerse yourself in an evening where music and message unite in harmony.