To see a World in a Grain of Sand
And a Heaven in a Wild Flower,
Hold Infinity in the palm of your hand
And Eternity in an hour.
These words by William Blake have fascinated Eric Whitacre for years, and his obsession has taken shape as an hour-long meditation in sound – a musical guide to ‘how to be truly in the moment’. Written for voices, instruments and an ethereal blanket of electronics, Eternity in an Hour shimmers and soars and fills the air with disembodied harmonies.
Whitacre is a legend in the choral world – his charismatic music with its delicious chord clusters is a dream to sing and mesmerising to hear – and he makes a welcome return to the Sydney Opera House with this new hour-long creation.
Preparing our ears for the ultimate in contemplative experiences, Whitacre has chosen two of his most popular choral works, Edwin London’s take on a Bach chorale, ‘Come, sweet death’, and Past Life Melodies by Sarah Hopkins, an immersive blending of global vocal traditions that has become one of the most performed Australian choral works worldwide.
Friday 27 June | 8pm
Sydney Opera House Concert Hall
This performance will run for 1 hours and 50 minutes, including one 20-minute interval.
Eric WHITACRE Lux Aurumque
Sarah HOPKINS Past Life Melodies
Eric WHITACRE Cloudburst
Edwin LONDON Bach (Again), after ‘Come, Sweet Death’ by JS Bach
Eric WHITACRE Eternity in an Hour†*
† Commissioned by the 2024 BBC Proms, Netherlands Radio Choir and Sydney Philharmonia Choirs
* Australian premiere
Eric Whitacre conductor
VOX
Premium $140 | A $114 | B $88 | C $60 | D $45
Concessions $126| A $103| B $79 | C $55 | D $41
Under 30 $30
A booking fee of $8.95 per transaction applies.
