Culture

Introduction

Sydney's cultural life is uniquely diverse, from high classical at the Sydney Opera House to cutting-edge contemporary and experimental performance art. The opera house is the major focus of attention for classical music, opera, theatre and dance.

Cultural productions and events are listed in 'Metro', the Friday edition entertainment section of the Sydney Morning Herald (www.smh.com.au), and the weekly arts and entertainment magazine Time Out is a comprehensive guide to what's going on in the city.

Tickets are available for purchase from Ticketek (tel: (02) 9266 4800; www.ticketek.com) and Ticketmaster (tel: 136 100, in Australia only; www.ticketmaster.com.au). The Halftix booth, 91 York Street (tel: 1300 302 017, in Australia only; www.halftix.com.au), offers reduced price tickets on the day of the show.

Music

Sydney Opera House
The Sydney Opera House, one of the city's iconic landmarks, is a premier performance venue for classical music. Sydney Symphony (tel: (02) 8251 4600; www.sydneysymphony.com), the Sydney Philharmonia Choirs (tel: (02) 9251 2024; www.sydneyphilharmonia.com.au), Opera Australia (tel: (02) 9699 1099; www.opera-australia.org.au) and the Australian Chamber Orchestra (tel: (02) 8274 3800; www.aco.com.au) hold most of their performances at the Opera House. The Australian Ballet (tel: 1300 369 741, in Australia only; www.australianballet.com.au) performs mainly traditional pieces during its summer and winter season at the Sydney Opera House. Similarly, the Sydney Dance Company (tel: (02) 9221 4811; www.sydneydance.com.au), the city's leading contemporary dance group, performs at the opera house for two seasons per year.

Bennelong Point, Circular Quay
Tel: (02) 9250 7111.
Website: www.sydneyoperahouse.com

Eugene Goossens Hall
This particular venue tends to be used for smaller performances.

ABC Ultimo Centre, Harris Street
Tel: (02) 8333 1500.

Conservatorium of Music
This place hosts symphony, wind and chamber concerts as well as jazz big bands.

Macquarie Street
Tel: (02) 9351 1222;
Website: www.music.usyd.edu.au

Theatre

Sydney Theatre
The Sydney Theatre Company is the city's stylish flagship theatre company. Performances take place at Sydney Theatre.

22 Hickson Road
Tel: (02) 9250 1999.
Website: www.sydneytheatre.org.au

Belvoir Street Theatre
Acting luminaries, such as Geoffrey Rush and Cate Blanchett, have performed at the highly respected Belvoir Street Theatre

25 Belvoir Street
Tel: (02) 9699 3444
Website: www.belvoir.com.au

Dance

Bangarra Dance Theatre
This dance theatre performs a fusion of contemporary and traditional dance at various venues throughout the city. The company also tours extensively, both nationally and internationally.

Pier 4/5 Hickson Road
Tel: (02) 9251 5333.
Website: www.bangarra.com.au