9 January 2010 – 30 January 2010

The 2010 Sydney Festival program has landed, marked by exceptional dance, theatre, music and a big round yellow balloon!

Lindy Hume’s first of three Festivals as Artistic Director, is the most expansive to date. The Festival includes the highly anticipated return of some Festival friends, a continued emphasis on free events and the introduction of a wide range of artists making their Sydney debuts.

For the three weeks this January, the Festival offers a dizzying array of creative talent, including German director Thomas Ostermeier with his radical retake on Hamlet; two-time Oscar-winner A.R. Rahman presenting a huge free concert in Parramatta Park, Ireland’s Fabulous Beast’s macabre and beautiful Giselle; the hottest director on London’s West End, Rupert Goold, with his Six Characters in Search of an Author starring Ian McDiarmid and Catherine McCormack, and American director Peter Sellars with his Stravinsky double bill, Oedipus Rex & Symphony of Psalms with Sydney Symphony, Sydney Philharmonia Choirs and a stellar line-up of soloists.

With his very first visit to Australia, we are also proud to present the much-revered Al Green, who will bring his gospel and soul to Festival First Night, as well as two nights at State Theatre.  Also making their Australian debut is luscious alternate-pop band, Grizzly Bear, while making a welcome return to Sydney is Mali maestro of the kora, Toumani Diabaté, and alternate county chanteuse Neko Case.

This and so much more makes for a Sydney Festival celebration that is not to be missed. Make sure you’re in town this summer!

Festival First Night – Saturday January 9 2010

Festival First Night returns with an epic all embracing celebration of our Festival and our city. With the streets cleared of cars, the Festival explodes across the city with major international and local artists. Put on your dancing shoes and catch some of the biggest names in the Festival for FREE.

Cycle to Festival First Night and enjoy free valet bike parking provided by the City of Sydney.

For full program details visit www.sydneyfestival.org.au

City of Sydney is a proud Principal Supporter of Sydney Festival.