F.Y.I.

Sydney Opera House announces free digital program of exclusive content

A range of on demand, free and exclusive content will be available for consumers through the Sydney Opera House’s From our House to yours initiative.

The announcement:

Sydney Opera House announces new digital initiative presenting unmissable performances, stories and content

The Sydney Opera House today announced a new digital initiative – From our House to yours – to connect with, inspire, educate and entertain local and global communities while the venue’s doors are temporarily closed to the public. The program will include full-length performances and talks, never-before-seen footage, podcasts, long-form articles and behind-the-scenes content.

In addition to a wide array of digital content available free on demand, every day from Wednesday to Sunday new content will be released on the Opera House website for people to enjoy on their laptops, mobile phones or in their living rooms. The new digital season launches tomorrow (Wednesday 1 April) at 6pm AEDT, with the next weekly schedule announced every Tuesday.

This week’s launch follows the Opera House’s exclusive broadcast event for Piano Day 2020, which took place last Saturday, watched by a global audience of 50,000. The broadcast featured at-home performances by Andrea Lam, Margaret Leng Tan and Simon Tedeschi, unreleased recordings of Jon Hopkins and Joep Beving, and interviews with composer and Piano Day-founder Nils Frahm and Opera House piano tuner Terry Harper.

Sydney Opera House CEO Louise Herron AM said: “While we cannot welcome audiences to live performances in our venues, we are committed to offering the best in arts, culture and entertainment, as we have since opening in 1973. The difference is that, while the doors are closed, we will be doing it online – from our House to yours.

“Content will be available on demand. In addition, there will be scheduled daily releases from our new digital season from Wednesday to Sunday, so people can tune in, enjoy and even chat to other viewers while they watch, as part of a wider community.

“I hope this new digital program from the Opera House, a national symbol of creativity, will connect, inspire and comfort people around the world during this challenging time.”

NSW Minister for the Arts Don Harwin said: “The NSW Government built the Opera House for the people of our nation. The beauty of the Opera House’s new online program is that it brings people together regardless of where they are, inspiring and giving hope to our community in these difficult times.”

The first week of the Digital Season – which will be available to watch on the Opera House website – includes:

Wednesday 1 April: Missy Higgins live from the Forecourt
ARIA award-winning singer-songwriter Missy Higgins showcased her phenomenal music career in a dreamy Opera House debut performance on Valentine’s Day 2019.

Thursday 2 April: Chanel Miller – Know My Name – PREMIERE
In this powerful in-conversation from All About Women 2020, Festival Director and Opera House Head of Talks & Ideas Dr Edwina Throsby talks to writer and artist Chanel Miller. Miller’s memoir Know My Name is a powerful account of resilience, transcendence and, importantly, owning your own story and identity.

Friday 3 April: Dance Rites 2019
Last November, Australia’s annual First Nations dance competition returned bigger than ever, with more than 350 performers from across Australia meeting on one of the world’s most spectacular outdoor stages, Bennelong Point. Watch stunning highlights of the 2019 event, including outstanding performances from all of the finalists.

Saturday 4 April: Sydney Symphony Orchestra – Beethoven’s Ninth
The Ninth Symphony is considered one of Beethoven’s greatest works and the “Ode to Joy” theme of the final movement is one of the most widely recognised melodies in classical music. Former Chief Conductor Edo de Waart returned to lead the orchestra in this 2018 performance, which also features American soprano Amanda Majeski in her Australian debut.

Sunday 5 April: The Writers Room with Celia Pacquola, Josh Thomas, Luke McGregor and Dan Harmon
How many great ideas does it take to crack primetime? Join the award-winning writers from Rosehaven, Please Like Me, Community, Rick & Morty and more as they share secrets about creating characters, developing plot lines, and dealing with deadlines.

Sydney Opera House Director of Programming Fiona Winning added: “Since its inception nearly a decade ago, the Opera House’s digital program has engaged tens of millions of people around the world through livestreams, podcast series, short films and original digital work. Now, more than ever, people need to be inspired and to feel connected. We believe the Opera House plays an important role in bringing the community together and we hope this program can provide a meeting place online for people to both escape and connect.”

Source: Sydney Opera house media release

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