Sydney Opera House Launches SongRites First Nations Program
The Sydney Opera House has announced SongRites, a new multi-day program highlighting First Nations culture, to take place from 3–6 September 2025 across the venue’s Western Foyers.
The program will feature music, dance, conversation, film and digital storytelling from First Nations communities across Australia. The aim is to support cultural exchange, language preservation, and the continued sharing of traditional knowledge.
Michael Hutchings, Head of First Nations Programming at the Opera House, said the event brings together artists “who harness modern disciplines to share ancient traditions and languages in powerful ways.”
The program includes:
Performances
- Song Spirals (Sept 4 & 6): A live performance based on the book by the Gay’wu Group of Women, exploring the songlines of Yolŋu women from North East Arnhem Land through dance, music, and projection. Choreographed by Rosealee Pearson.
- Arrkula Yinbayarra (Together We Sing) (Sept 5 & 6): A music performance from the Borroloola Songwomen and Dr Shellie Morris AO, celebrating endangered languages from the Gulf of Carpentaria region.
Talks
- Crying the Land to Life (Sept 5): A panel discussion with authors Merrkiyawuy Ganambarr-Stubbs and Djawandil Maymuru, and publisher Elizabeth Weiss, about the creation and impact of Song Spirals.
- Singing Up Country (Sept 6): A discussion with the Borroloola women on making their new album and life in the remote Gulf region.
Film & Digital
- SongRites Short Films (Sept 3): A screening of short films by regional First Nations filmmakers, including The Djarn Djarns and Mudskipper.
- Wrong Side of the Road (Sept 4): A screening of the 1981 music documentary featuring No Fixed Address and Us Mob.
- Square Circles (Sept 5 & 6): A free audiovisual installation by William Barton and the Australian String Quartet.
Tickets go on sale to the general public on Friday, June 27th, 9am AEST, with presales starting Wednesday, June 25th via the Sydney Opera House website.