Performances

Silence & Rapture

October 22 - November 1
Continuum
Roslyn Packer Theatre, Walsh Bay
December 3 - December 13
New Breed
Carriageworks, Eveleigh

A mesmerising collaboration with the Australian Chamber Orchestra featuring choreography by Rafael Bonachela, countertenor Iestyn Davies and the music of Johann Sebastian Bach and Arvo Pärt.

Repertoire Archive

2024

Love Lock
Choreography / Melanie Lane
Inspired by the power of love stories, Melanie Lane’s bold new work Love Lock deconstructs love songs to create a folk dance that celebrates the fantasies and realities of love.
Duration: 25 minutes
momenta – Contemporary Dance Work
Choreography / Rafael Bonachela
A journey into the poetry and physicality of human bonds.
Duration: 75 minutes

2023

The Shell, A Ghost, The Host & The Lyrebird
Choreography / Marina Mascarell
This piece poses many questions: the body's meaning and its capacity to transform; the relationship with technology, and the connection with nature.
Duration: 26 minutes
I Am-Ness
Choreography / Rafael Bonachela
I Am-ness calls for the convergence of the moving body and creative mind, charting a world in flux where simplicity dominates, and expectations are subverted.
Duration: 15 minutes
Somos
Choreography / Rafael Bonachela
Meaning “we are” in Spanish, Somos features a cascade of intimate solos, duets and trios with a distinct Spanish flavour.
Duration: 50 minutes

2022

Summer
Choreography / Rafael Bonachela
An uplifting new work from Rafael Bonachela, capturing the lightness and positivity of new beginnings. With a score by Australian composer Kate Moore, recorded by the Australian String Quartet and striking costumes by the masters of colour Romance Was Born, Summer will have your spirits soaring.
Duration: 16 minutes
The Universe is Here
Choreography / Stephanie Lake
Fusing movement and music, The Universe is Here brings blistering light to the stage and a fizzing glimpse of a haunted dreamscape. Poetic, fresh and forceful, Stephanie Lake's work is intricate and dynamic dance that hits you in the solar plexus.
Duration: 35 minutes

2021

Impermanence
Choreography / Rafael Bonachela
A visceral and thrilling exploration of the juxtaposition of beauty and devastation, this full-length work features a new score full of emotional power from Grammy Award-winning composer Bryce Dessner performed in association with the Australian String Quartet.
Duration: 65 minutes

2020

Cuatro
Choreography / Rafael Bonachela
Four dancers. Four musicians. Four Films.
Duration: 14 minutes

2019

Us 50
Choreography / Gideon Obarzanek
Us 50 is a grand-scale work by Gideon Obarzanek featuring 50 performers made up of past dancers that have graced our stage, current Company dancers, and members of our community.
Duration: 40 minutes
Neon Aether
Choreography / Gabrielle Nankivell
Gabrielle Nankivell’s premiere, Neon Aether, is a theatrical adventure into the infinite unknown. Inspired by science fiction and outer space, audiences will be transported into a vivid, ethereal world beyond the clouds.
Duration: 25 minutes
Cinco
Choreography / Rafael Bonachela
Be moved by a “dazzling technical display of flexibility” (★★★★, Sydney Morning Herald) in the world premiere of Rafael Bonachela’s Cinco. Watch “elastic dynamic dancing” (The Daily Telegraph) from our award-winning dancers, in delicate costumes by revered fashion designer Bianca Spender, set to Alberto Ginastera’s soaring String Quartet No.2.
Duration: 26 minutes

2018

ab [intra] – Contemporary Dance Work
Choreography / Rafael Bonachela
ab [intra],​ meaning ‘from within’ in Latin is ‘an exploration of our primal instincts, our impulses and our visceral responses’, says choreographer Rafael Bonachela. From tenderness to turmoil, ​ab [intra]​ is a journey of intense human existence that will command your attention.
Duration: 70 minutes
Forever & Ever
Choreography / Antony Hamilton
Set to a sonically stimulating score by The Presets’ Julian Hamilton, Forever & Ever fuses together a killer mix of dance, techno, high fashion and vivid lighting to hypnotic effect.
Duration: 36 minutes

2017

Ocho
Choreography / Rafael Bonachela
Explosive and powerful, Ocho, is "sexy, athletic choreography…" (Time Out Sydney), showcasing the dancers' virtuosity. Fusing a brutalist industrial dreamscape with a surging electronic score by Nick Wales that features haunting vocals by Aboriginal singer ​Rrawun Maymuru​ of the Mangalili clan, ​Ocho explores​ the infinite connections that exist between us all.
Duration: 40 minutes
Full Moon
Choreography / Cheng Tsung-lung
Cheng Tsung-lung's Full Moon harnesses the power of the moon and the mythology and poetry of mankind to thrilling effect.
Duration: 38 minutes
WOOF
Choreography / Melanie Lane
WOOF​ generates variations of collective actions that speak from matters of the heart. In an imagined physical future, stealing from classical dances, romantic paintings and pop culture, a re-invention of community takes place. In dialogue with Clark’s bold musical score, ​WOOF​ relentlessly forges a duality of instability and empowerment, harnessing the fantasy of a post-human collective spirit.
Duration: 20 minutes

2016

Lux Tenebris
Choreography / Rafael Bonachela
Lux Tenebris​ explores light and darkness with fiercely physical movement and deep, electronic beats by composer Nick Wales.
Duration: 40 minutes

2015

Frame of Mind
Choreography / Rafael Bonachela
Frame of Mind features a dramatic contemporary-classical soundtrack by Bryce Dessner (from American hit rock band The National), recorded by San Francisco’s virtuosic Kronos Quartet. ​Frame of Mind w​on four Helpmann Awards in 2015 – Best Choreography, Best Dance Work, Best Male Dancer and Best Female Dancer – in its critically acclaimed premiere season.
Duration: 35 minutes

2014

Wildebeest
Choreography / Gabrielle Nankivell
Gabrielle Nankivell’s eloquent creation, Wildebeest, showcases the power of dancers as individuals and strength en masse. Moody and animalistic, it’s backed by a stormy and industrial score by Luke Smiles.
Duration: 30 minutes

2010

6 Breaths
Choreography / Rafael Bonachela
Since the 2010 premiere of Rafael Bonachela’s award-winning 6 Breaths the work has toured to New York, London, Barcelona, the Venice Biennale in Italy and the prestigious Movimentos Festival in Germany. A symphony of dance, music by Italian composer Ezio Bosso and costume design by Josh Goot, this emotive work will take your breath away.
Duration: 40 minutes

Silence & Rapture


Dates:   2 – 19 August 2024


Locations:    Sydney, Melbourne, Adelaide, Perth, Canberra & Brisbane


Duration:   Approx. 2 hours including interval


 

Composing three centuries apart, Johann Sebastian Bach and Arvo Pärt’s timeless music speaks to the human soul. From rockstars and writers to artists and filmmakers, these composers are revered by music lovers across genres and generations. The last time the ACO performed their music together, it was a sell-out. Richard Tognetti directs this mesmerising collaboration between the ACO and Sydney Dance Company that brings together music, movement and evocative lighting to create something truly extraordinary.

Expressing the luminous longing at the heart of this music is choreography by Sydney Dance Company’s Artistic Director, Rafael Bonachela, while Gramophone Award-winning countertenor Iestyn Davies makes his Australian debut, bringing these stirring melodies to life.

Don’t miss this extraordinary collaboration in 2024.

DATES & LOCATIONS

Sydney, City Recital Hall
Friday 2 August, 7pm
Saturday 3 August, 7pm
Tuesday 6 August, 8pm
Wednesday 7 August, 7pm

Melbourne Recital Centre
Saturday 10 August, 7.30pm
Monday 12 August, 7.30pm

Melbourne, Arts Centre Melbourne
Sunday 11 August, 2.30pm

Adelaide Town Hall
Tuesday 13 August, 7.30pm

Perth Concert Hall
Wednesday 14 August, 7.30pm

Canberra, Llewellyn Hall
Saturday 17 August, 8pm

Sydney Opera House
Sunday 18 August, 2pm

Brisbane, QPAC Concert Hall
Monday 19 August, 7pm

Creatives


Dates:   2 – 19 August 2024


Locations:    Sydney, Melbourne, Adelaide, Perth, Canberra & Brisbane


Duration:   Approx. 2 hours including interval


 

ARTISTS

Director & Violin: Richard Tognetti
Countertenor: Iestyn Davies
Choreography: Rafael Bonachela
Viola: Stefanie Farrands
Cello: Timo-Veikko Valve
Organ & Harpsichord: Chad Kelly
Artists from: Sydney Dance Company and the Australian Chamber Orchestra

+

Silence & Rapture


Dates:   2 – 19 August 2024


Locations:    Sydney, Melbourne, Adelaide, Perth, Canberra & Brisbane


Duration:   Approx. 2 hours including interval


 

Composing three centuries apart, Johann Sebastian Bach and Arvo Pärt’s timeless music speaks to the human soul. From rockstars and writers to artists and filmmakers, these composers are revered by music lovers across genres and generations. The last time the ACO performed their music together, it was a sell-out. Richard Tognetti directs this mesmerising collaboration between the ACO and Sydney Dance Company that brings together music, movement and evocative lighting to create something truly extraordinary.

Expressing the luminous longing at the heart of this music is choreography by Sydney Dance Company’s Artistic Director, Rafael Bonachela, while Gramophone Award-winning countertenor Iestyn Davies makes his Australian debut, bringing these stirring melodies to life.

Don’t miss this extraordinary collaboration in 2024.

DATES & LOCATIONS

Sydney, City Recital Hall
Friday 2 August, 7pm
Saturday 3 August, 7pm
Tuesday 6 August, 8pm
Wednesday 7 August, 7pm

Melbourne Recital Centre
Saturday 10 August, 7.30pm
Monday 12 August, 7.30pm

Melbourne, Arts Centre Melbourne
Sunday 11 August, 2.30pm

Adelaide Town Hall
Tuesday 13 August, 7.30pm

Perth Concert Hall
Wednesday 14 August, 7.30pm

Canberra, Llewellyn Hall
Saturday 17 August, 8pm

Sydney Opera House
Sunday 18 August, 2pm

Brisbane, QPAC Concert Hall
Monday 19 August, 7pm

+

Creatives


Dates:   2 – 19 August 2024


Locations:    Sydney, Melbourne, Adelaide, Perth, Canberra & Brisbane


Duration:   Approx. 2 hours including interval


 

ARTISTS

Director & Violin: Richard Tognetti
Countertenor: Iestyn Davies
Choreography: Rafael Bonachela
Viola: Stefanie Farrands
Cello: Timo-Veikko Valve
Organ & Harpsichord: Chad Kelly
Artists from: Sydney Dance Company and the Australian Chamber Orchestra