We will be celebrating the opening of our spectacular new home at Pier 2/3 with a full weekend of festivities including thrilling live concerts, boundary-pushing collaborations, stimulating talks, engaging family shows, digital live streams and more.
Over three days, we will throw open the doors of our harbourside home at Pier 2/3 in Sydney’s revitalised Walsh Bay Arts Precinct, inviting audiences to experience the full spectrum of its new programming offerings at this state-of-the-art performing arts space for the first time. We will be joined by iconic artists and close friends of the Orchestra including didgeridoo virtuoso, singer and composer William Barton, singer/songwriter Jimmy Barnes, filmmaker Jane Campion, poet, musician and artist Omar Musa, guitarist Slava Grigoryan, pianist Tamara-Anna Cislowska and actors from Sydney Theatre Company.
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“This is one of the biggest moments in the ACO’s 47-year history,” said ACO Managing Director Richard Evans. “We’ve been underground for 20 years, so to have an inspiring space where our musicians can not only practice and rehearse, but a public-facing home where we can welcome people to experience performances, workshops, talks, family shows, collaborations... It’s completely transformative for the ACO.
“We can’t wait to welcome our wonderful audiences, collaborators, friends and supporters of all ages into our new home.”
The ACO’s Opening Festival at Pier 2/3, Walsh Bay Arts Precinct will open with a Smoking Ceremony, led by Indigenous musician Matthew Doyle, before a special Gala Concert led by Richard Tognetti and featuring guest artists including William Barton, Jimmy Barnes, Tamara-Anna Cislowska and actors from Sydney Theatre Company.
Music In Time will see the Orchestra explore the most sublime, influential and beloved music of the last thousand years over two concerts, while the ACO will present performances from artists including poet, artist and musician Omar Musa and the Grigoryan Brothers as well as an eye-opening talk featuring artist Ben Quilty, filmmaker Jane Campion and dancer and artistic director Frances Rings, presented in partnership with The Wheeler Centre.
The ACO’s youngest audiences are invited to participate in the fun, with a
special family morning filled with engaging and creative musical activities, from a rousing string quartet concert in the ACO’s new Rehearsal Room to a free ‘make-your-own-instrument’ activity station.
The ACO has planned a program of digital activities over the weekend so that the Orchestra’s national audiences can participate in the celebrations. Three of the concerts will be streamed live to audiences across Australia, for free on YouTube and Facebook, while artists will engage with audiences directly through social media takeovers, behind-the-scenes videos and more.
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About Pier 2/3
Perched above a breathtaking expanse of the harbour in Sydney’s revitalised cultural precinct, Pier 2/3 features custom-designed performance, events and rehearsal spaces alongside state-of-the-art recording and broadcast facilities, that will inspire boundless opportunities for creative collaboration, community engagement and outreach and artistic innovation ACO at Pier 2/3 features three spaces: The Neilson, a custom-designed concert hall; The Belgiorno Room, a stunning event space with views of Sydney Harbour; and a Rehearsal Room for rehearsals, masterclasses, recordings and talks.
The ACO’s new home also features a dedicated media suite, fitted with state-of-the-art digital, recording and broadcast facilities.
The ACO acknowledges the Gadigal people of the Eora Nation as traditional owners of this land. It’s a space on which we’ll be proud to work and create.
Click here to explore ticketed events in the Pier 2/3 Opening Festival line up and purchase your tickets now. 
