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It is a joy to see Australia’s acclaimed national opera company perform in the Opera House. This world-class company stages a 14-week season in summer and a 17-week season in winter in Sydney.

Also a resident of the Opera House, the Sydney Symphony is based at the spectacular Concert Hall. The world’s most illustrious conductors and soloists are often invited to perform with them. The conductor and artistic director is the much-lauded Gianluigi Gelmetti.

Sydney’s premier theatre company recently launched their splendid new home, the Sydney Theatre at Walsh Bay. They have a busy season, often utilizing other theatres such as those at the Wharf. The STC presents an exciting mix of classics and new Australian drama.

With acclaimed Artistic Director Graeme Murphy’s choreographic invention and prolific output of original works, Sydney Dance Company has paved the way for the development of Australia’s fast-growing contemporary dance scene. Keen to tread new ground, they welcome guest artistic directors.

This unique company blends traditional Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander history and culture with international contemporary dance. Powerful, startling and inherently spiritual, Bangarra speaks with an ancient yet completely modern voice.

Daring programming and stylistic versatility set this chamber orchestra apart – and the fact that the violinists play standing up. The players have a sense of cohesion usually only found in smaller ensembles.

Witness Shakespeare like you’ve never seen. Since its foundation in 1990 by John Bell and Anna Volska, Sydney’s theatrical blue-bloods, this company has presented the works of the Bard and modern classics in an accessible style.

Housed in the historic Belvoir Street Theatre, this company deserves its great reputation for producing sharp contemporary theatre. Its edgy shows are always popular, particularly with the young, hip crowd, so get in early for tickets. The company is temporarily based at the Seymour Centre until late 2006.

Australia’s longest continuously running professional theatre is located in a converted boatshed on Careening Cove. The company performs a mix of local and international plays with an emphasis on ensemble values. Reliable and definitely rewarding.

Australia’s flagship youth theatre company presents radical versions of classics, plays by young writers, physical theatre and works written by leading Australian writers, such as Louis Nowra and Stephen Sewell. Many up-and-coming stars get their first taste of the limelight here. Nicole Kidman is ATYP’s patron.