This soirée-style chamber concert in the Utzon Room of the Sydney Opera House was a journey through French and Spanish Impressionism. The three compositions (Ravel, Debussy and Turina) were selected to highlight the harp, flute, viola, violin and viola.
Greeted by the event’s sponsor, Handipicked Wine, and offered a glass of its produce, you know it’s going to be a special evening. Genevieve Lang introduced each of the three compositions in a delightfully casual fashion, further setting the tone for a serene evening. A harpist herself, she briefly explained the late 18th century developments of the harp as rival instrument makers commissioned composers to create works to showcase their new instruments. The harp has come a long way since it was first plucked in 500 BC.
First on the program was Debussy’s ‘Sonata for Flute, Viola, and Harp’. The trio created a swirling sound world in just fifteen mesmerising minutes. The players brought out Debussy’s ever-changing harmonies with exquisite subtlety.
Turina’s ‘The Bullfighter’s Prayer’ followed with a dramatic shift in mood with the flamenco and Spanish folk rhythms.
The concert finished with Ravel’s ‘Introduction and Allegro’, showcasing the harp. This was the most complex work of the evening. The harp begins softly, and is joined by the flute and clarinet, building into the allegro section where the full ensemble becomes lively and lyrical.
The Utzon Room’s acoustics is ideally suited to chamber works. With the performers so close, audience members could see and feel every breath and gesture—making the experience personal and immersive. Music, wine, views of the harbour! Congratulations to the Sydney Symphony Orchestra! Give us more of these soirées!
The musicians, all from the SSO, were Emma Sholl (flute), Francesco Celata (clarinet), Emma Jezek (violin), Sercan Danis (violin), Tobias Breider (viola), Kristy Conrau (Cello), Louisic Dulbecco (harp) and Sandro Constandino (viola).
Sydney Symphony Orchestra’s RAVEL AND DEBUSSY played the Utzon Room, Sydney Opera House on the 20th and 21st June 2025.
