The grandness of The Concert Hall within the architecturally beautiful walls of The Sydney Opera House promise an evening of sophistication and appreciation. Conductor Stephen Layton steps onto the stage as the audience is clapping excitedly welcoming his awarded musical vision as his hands conduct our attention to the wondrous Sydney Symphony Orchestra.
It begins, conducting music by Joseph Haydn, No. 44 in E minor, Trauer with a gleefully vibrant smile on Stephen’s face you notice what a delight it seems to be conducting this evening. The experience and sound of the versatile strings amplified with the assistance of the Concert Hall’s acoustic reconstruction in 2022.
Popular and leading Australian Soprano, Sara Macliver, arrives on stage as we recognise her bright & penetrating vocals soar through the air along side the Sydney Symphony Orchestra performing work by Johann Sebastian Bach, Jacuchzet Gott in Allen Landen, BWV51.
We notice Stephen’s style of conducting exerting movement as he is projecting his body in reaction to the energy he wishes the orchestra to reflect. We see this inspiring the orchestra to respond in movement to their music. The oboe musicians are particularly theatrical and the strings enjoyable to watch as they lean into each note.
The second half of the performance lifts the audience into a joyful and spritely mood as the orchestra is lead into Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart’s early vocal work, Exsulate, Jubilate, K165. Mozart’s playful style of his vocal music expresses his confidence at this stage of his career. This can be felt as the melodies and harmonies evoke different emotions in comparison to the prior symphonies of Haydn & Bach.
As the entire Sydney Symphony Orchestra makes their presence on stage including the trumpets, chamber organ, bassoons and percussion, we are witnessing the finale. The stage brightens as Sara Macliver shimmers vocally and visually interpreting a statement of celebration.
Stephen is leading the orchestra to perform an unforgettable and perfectly unified symphony by George Frideric Handel, Music for the Royal Fireworks. The kettle drum sparking a royal experience to life with an audience guest whispering, “can you see the fireworks?”.
Classical music is known for its therapeutic benefits, especially in regards to memory and emotional regulation, and thus this performance leaves you mesmerised and your senses invigorated from the harmonies only classical music and live symphony orchestras can create.
It truly is a wonderful experience for anyone whom has an appreciation for classical music and admires the unique work of Stephen Layton, Sara Macliver & the Sydney Symphony Orchestra.
The concert STEPHEN LAYTON CONDUCTS BACH, MOZART AND HANDEL took place on Thursday 21st & Saturday 23rd August 2025 at The Concert Hall, Sydney Opera House.
