Tchaikovsky's fantastic tragedy with Australian tenor Stuart Skelton in the leading role.

Tchaikovsky's fantastic tragedy moves in the aristocratic salons of 18th-century St Petersburg. There's an angry young man - a damaged soul. There's the beautiful young woman he desires. And there's an obsession - gambling at cards. The secret to success is held by an aged countess, the "Queen of Spades". But, despite ghostly interventions, it all ends badly and it wouldn't be opera without a double suicide.

The last time Sydney audiences experienced this opera was in 1979 in a production by the Australian Opera. Now Ashkenazy brings a concert version to the stage of the Concert Hall.

Pre-concert talk by David Garrett in the Northern Foyer, 45 minutes before the performance.

"Tchaikovsky was always very open-hearted and communicative in his music, but the tragic elements of his life and personality can be clearly seen in his compositions; particularly in his Sixth Symphony, in some parts of "Manfred" and in 'The Queen of Spades'".

LIMELIGHT

"He has a very melodious and very Russian way of writing for the voice - it's incredibly moving and quite lyrical".

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"Ashkenazy agrees that Tchaikovsky's melodic gift was beyond comparison in whichever genre he chose to write in".

LIMELIGHT

Queen of Spades: Sydney Symphony's operatic Gamble
Article by Sarah Noble
Limelight, November 29, 2012

Gambler's tale makes for another sure bet
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The Australian, November 29, 2012

Singer's heroism stops short of naked roles
Article by Harriet Cunningham
Sydney Morning Herald, November 30, 2012