The Golden Age of Broadway

For one night only the Sydney Opera House will go back to a time of lush orchestrations, toe-tapping tunes, and those catchy songs that changed the shape of musical theatre for decades to come.

Sydney Philharmonia Choirs will light up the stage with over 100 choristers, a star-studded cast of vocalists, and bring the Golden Age of Broadway back to life with the brilliant music of Leonard Bernstein, Irving Berlin, Cole Porter and more.

As part of Inside/Out at the House classical festival celebrating the Sydney Opera House's 50th anniversary, Sydney Philharmonia Choirs and Orchestra will present a stunning concert inside in the Concert Hall – whilst also being broadcast to an audience on the Forecourt.

Music was the salve that healed the wounds of 1940's America, a time in dire need of laughter and lightness – and composers answered the call with upbeat sing-a-long musicals such as On the Town and Kiss Me, Kate while stars like Gertrude Lawrence and Danny Kaye lit up the stage.

The Golden Age reached its zenith in the 1950s when audiences filled the theatres to see the likes of Guys and Dolls and My Fair Lady with their unforgettable tunes and dancing. In the 1960s, as the Sydney Opera House was taking shape on the other side of the world, Broadway's audiences thrilled to Hello Dolly, Mame and How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying. It's high energy, optimistic music that puts the choir in the spotlight!

Sit back and watch.