Eric Whitacre Brings Eternity in an Hour to Sydney Opera House
Grammy-winning composer Eric Whitacre debuts his work with Sydney Philharmonia on June 27.
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Eric Whitacre is set to bring “Eternity in an Hour” to life under the sails of the Sydney Opera House on June 27. This latest tour date marks another milestone in the Grammy-winning composer’s global engagements, following acclaimed performances in Europe and North America. On Instagram, Whitacre announced: “The Sydney Opera House! I’ll perform Eternity in an Hour with the terrific @sydney.philharmonia choirs on June 27th. See you soon, Australia!” (https://www.instagram.com/p/DJ9zw99Kp6i/)
Global Hit Heads To Sydney
“Eternity in an Hour” made its debut in April at Amare, The Hague, with the Vlaams Radio Koor under the baton of Amy Norrington and cellist Koenraad Sterckx. In a glowing Instagram review, the Flemish ensemble reflected: “These musicians did not perform at us — they invited us to feel with them. And I did. Intensely.” That performance introduced audiences to the work’s cyclic structure, which explores philosophical texts by William Blake alongside modern poetry and ambient soundscapes.
Eternity In An Hour’s Journey
Commissioned by the Flemish Radio Choir in partnership with the Royal Conservatory of The Hague, “Eternity in an Hour” is built around five movements that weave themes of time, memory and nature. The opening movement, “Auguries of Innocence,” sets Blake’s lines to delicate a cappella harmonies. A middle section titled “Hourglass” employs shifting meters and tonal centers to symbolize life’s fragile balance. The suite closes with “The Second Coming,” a dramatic choral statement that ties Blake’s prophetic vision to present-day reflection on humanity’s future.
Since its European premiere, Whitacre has brought the work to Carnegie Hall, where he surveyed its thematic breadth alongside the premiere of his wildfire-inspired project “The Pacific Has No Memory.” That January 2025 concert with the Orpheus Chamber Orchestra received attention for its cinematic approach and use of onstage projections depicting California’s recent wildfires.
Composer Profile
Born in 1970 in Reno, Nevada, Eric Whitacre studied at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas and later earned a master’s in composition from the Juilliard School. His early choral pieces—such as Lux Aurumque and Sleep—paved the way for his Virtual Choir initiative, in which thousands of singers record parts remotely and then combine online into a single digital performance. The Virtual Choir phenomenon has attracted more than 200 million views across social platforms.
Whitacre has received both a Grammy Award for Best Choral Performance and the Dale Warland Singers’ Distinguished Artist Prize. He has served as Resident Composer for the Los Angeles Master Chorale and held festivals at Yale University and Hovingham Estate in the UK. His catalogue also includes film scores, orchestral works and educational projects that bring choral music to new audiences.
Sydney Showcase
For Sydney audiences, Whitacre’s performance will feature the vocal forces of Sydney Philharmonia Choirs, led by artistic director Brett Weymark. Known for versatility across classical masterworks and contemporary commissions, the Choir will present movements from “Eternity in an Hour” as well as signature selections like “Sleep” and “Glow.” The performance will take place in the Concert Hall, maximising the Opera House’s renowned acoustics and architectural drama.
Patrons can expect dynamic shifts from hushed unisons to full choir climaxes, enhanced by the Opera House’s natural reverb. Whitacre has spoken about his interest in site-specific programming; in past tours, he’s adjusted lighting and staging to match each venue’s character. In Sydney, he plans a brief pre-concert talk to discuss his compositional process and the texts behind the music.
Next Stop: Europe
After Sydney, Whitacre will head to North Yorkshire for a series of appearances at the Hovingham Estate SummerFest in July. As Festival Artist in Residence, he will conduct multiple choral concerts, including settings of Robert Frost’s “Stopping By Woods on a Snowy Evening,” and lead a one-day workshop in Malton. The residency culminates in a performance of “The Sacred Veil,” his collaboration with poet Charles Anthony Silvestri that explores loss and renewal.
Whitacre’s global itinerary—spanning Amsterdam, Sydney, Yorkshire and New York—reflects both the demand for contemporary choral works and his own commitment to community engagement. His residencies often feature open rehearsals and sing-alongs, inviting amateur singers to experience first-hand the creative dialogue that fuels his music.
Eric Whitacre’s arrival in Sydney underscores his role as a bridge between choral tradition and 21st-century innovation. With “Eternity in an Hour,” audiences will hear a work that compresses vast emotional landscapes into an intense, one-hour choral journey—proof that modern classical music can captivate listeners across continents.
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