The Sydney Symphony Orchestra Presents The Planets with a Silent Film

May 1-3, 2026 | Sydney Opera House

The Sydney Symphony Orchestra will perform Gustav Holst's The Planets from May 1-3, 2026, at the Sydney Opera House, accompanied by a world premiere silent film titled LOSS, starring Emma Thompson and Greg Wise.

A Groundbreaking Collaboration

The performance features a world premiere silent film created by Dutch director Lucas van Woerkom, designed to sync with the live orchestral music.

Van Woerkem controls the film's timing during the performance to match the music. The film explores the process of dying, focusing on a married couple of artists, played by Thompson and Wise.

Thompson requested to join the project after seeing van Woerkom's earlier film.

Artistic Vision

Conductor Benjamin Northey stated that the music remains the primary focus, with visuals deepening the emotional trajectory.

Thompson noted that the on-screen couple is not based on her real-life marriage with Wise. In a unique creative choice, Thompson and Wise decided not to listen to Holst's music during filming to avoid influencing their performances.

The Context of The Planets

• Holst composed The Planets between 1914 and 1917, with each movement named after a planet and associated with astrological traits.
• Pluto was discovered after Holst's death; other composers have added movements for Pluto and Earth.
• The suite has influenced screen composers such as John Williams (Star Wars) and Joff Bush (Bluey).
• Deborah Cheetham Fraillon added an Earth movement in 2024.