The Sydney Symphony Orchestra brings global virtuosos, plus plenty of homegrown talent, to the Sydney Opera House Concert Hall as part of its exciting 2025 program. That includes Chinese superstar pianist Lang Lang performing beloved works of the French masters, and Australia’s own Bree van Reyk, whose new work has its world premiere alongside selections from crowd-pleasers Leonard Bernstein and George Gershwin.

Don’t know where to begin? Here are some of the highlights coming up in May and June.

Tchaikovsky’s Sixth Symphony

Fast consolidating a reputation across the US for his thrilling orchestral interpretations, conductor Roderick Cox makes his Sydney debut with a popular favourite: Tchaikovsky’s Sixth Symphony, known as the “Pathétique”.

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A staple of the classical canon famed for its glorious final movement, the Pathétique – the Russian composer’s final symphony – is a star vehicle for the up-and-coming maestro. His guest appearance at the Sydney Opera House – conducting 80 of the orchestra’s musicians – is sure to offer flair and verve.

Performing at 7pm on Thursday May 1 and Friday May 2, and 2pm on Saturday May 3. Tickets start at $47.

Signature Choir & Sydney Symphony Orchestra

New Zealand’s 80-strong Signature Choir presents a unique showcase of traditional and contemporary Pasifika music at the Sydney Opera House with Mana Moana – Spirit of the Ocean. This riveting, community-driven piece, with orchestral accompaniment led by young conductor Carlo Antonioli, shares ancestral songlines in several Pasifika languages. It promises a heartwarming and uplifting choral experience like no other, celebrating a rich shared culture of song and respect for nature.

Performing at 7pm on Friday June 20 and Saturday June 21. Tickets start at $49.

Bernstein & Korngold

The Sydney Symphony Orchestra brings a taste of Hollywood and Broadway to town with this America-inspired program, which features music by George Gershwin and Leonard Bernstein – including the latter’s iconic tunes from West Side Story – as well as the famed Violin Concerto of two-time Oscar winner Erich Wolfgang Korngold.

The star of the show will be Melbourne-born virtuoso Christian Li. The 17-year-old violinist already has a formidable schedule of orchestra guest appearances across the world, and he remains the youngest musician ever to sign to record label Decca Classics, when he was just 12 years of age.

Also eagerly anticipated is Bree van Reyk’s Fanfare for Solidarity, a Sydney Symphony Orchestra commission in its world premiere performance.

Performing at 11am on Friday June 27, and 7pm on Saturday June 28. Tickets start at $45.

Donald Runnicles Conducts Strauss & Beethoven

Known for his command of German Romantic repertoire, Scottish principal guest conductor Sir Donald Runnicles helms a trio of works by three German heavyweights – Beethoven, Humperdinck and Strauss – at the Sydney Opera House in June. Pulling from Greek mythology and Germanic fairytales, each work promises a musical adventure of heroic proportions.

The program begins with the dynamic overture of Beethoven’s ballet The Creatures of Prometheus, before exploring the whimsical realms of Humperdinck’s opera Hansel und Gretel and culminating with the triumph of Strauss’s A Hero’s Life (Ein Heldenleben). A musical odyssey across folklore and legends that’s not to be missed.

Performing at 7pm on Friday June 13, and 2pm on Saturday June 14. Tickets start at $45.

Daniel Lozakovich Performs Sibelius’ Violin Concerto

Making his Australian debut, 23-year-old Swedish violinist Daniel Lozakovich performs Sibelius’s enduringly popular Violin Concerto under the baton of Czech conductor Tomáš Netopil. Lozakovich’s deeply expressive performances have captivated audiences around the world for nearly 15 years, following his Moscow debut at age nine.

Since that time his artistry has been celebrated worldwide – either live in concert or through his acclaimed recordings on Deutsche Grammophon, the premiere classical music label that signed him up at the age of 16. Sibelius’s expansive Violin Concerto, an ode to his native Finland, will provide an exquisite demonstration of Lozakovich’s talents.

Performing at 8pm on Wednesday May 7, Friday May 9 and Saturday May 10, and 1.30pm on Thursday May 8. Tickets start at $47.

This article is produced by Broadsheet in partnership with Sydney Symphony Orchestra. Book tickets and keep up-to-date at sydneysymphony.com.