Hany Farhat to Conduct at Sydney Opera House in Historic Concert

CairoScene

12-05-2025

Farhat becomes the first Arab conductor to lead the Australian Metropolitan Orchestra at the iconic Sydney venue.
May 12, 2025
Egyptian conductor Hany Farhat is set to make history as the first Arab maestro to lead the Australian Metropolitan Orchestra in a major performance at the Sydney Opera House on May 12th.
The performance is part of the seventh edition of the 'Saudi Orchestra Masterpieces' series, an initiative led by Saudi Arabia's Music Commission to spotlight Arabic and Eastern music internationally. Farhat will conduct both the Saudi National Orchestra and the Australian Metropolitan Orchestra in a programme designed to bridge musical cultures.
Held under the patronage of Saudi Minister of Culture Prince Badr bin Abdullah bin Farhan Al Saud, the event takes place under the theme 'Creativity Expands at Every Stop,' highlighting the Kingdom's Vision 2030 goal to expand global recognition of Arabic music and foster cross-cultural exchange.
The evening's programme will include a special joint composition that merges elements of Arab and Australian musical traditions, alongside a segment featuring exclusively Australian orchestral works performed by the Metropolitan Orchestra.
Farhat's appearance at the Sydney Opera House adds another landmark to a growing list of international engagements. In recent years, he has conducted joint concerts with the Saudi National Orchestra and international ensembles at venues such as Théâtre du Châtelet in Paris, the National Theatre in Mexico, the Metropolitan Opera House in New York, Central Hall Westminster in London, Tokyo Opera City in Japan, and King Fahad Cultural Center in Riyadh.