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Zoltán Szabó

Zoltán Szabó

Zoltán Szabó is a cellist and musicologist. Having migrated from his native Hungary to Australia in 1985, he worked with the Australian Chamber Orchestra in Sydney until 1991, when he became Principal Cello with Opera Australia. In 2017, he was awarded with a Doctor of Philosophy degree (PhD). Currently, he is teaching music history and musicology at the Sydney Conservatorium of Music.

Author:Zoltán Szabó

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Andrey Boreyko conducts the Sydney Symphony Orchestra © Ken Leanfore

Russian fairy tales: Boreyko and Hornung make impressive Sydney Symphony debuts

By Zoltán Szabó, 12 June 2026

An unusual combination of 20th-century Russian masterworks herald debut appearances by both conductor and soloist in Sydney.

****1

Andrey Boreyko conducts the Sydney Symphony Orchestra © Ken Leanfore

Andrey Boreyko and Maximilian Hornung make Sydney Symphony debuts

By Zoltán Szabó

Olli Mustonen © Laura Malmivaara

Rereading Beethoven’s sonatas: Olli Mustonen performs in Sydney

By Zoltán Szabó, 07 March 2026

Olli Mustonen’s playing never permits a passive response. One can enthusiastically nod or one can profusely object, but the listener is asked to take a side and react.

*****

Olli Mustonen © Laura Malmivaara

Rereading Beethoven’s sonatas: Olli Mustonen performs in Sydney

By Zoltán Szabó

Simone Young conducts the Sydney Symphony © Daniel Boud (2024)

Cello whisperer Kian Soltani debuts in Sydney

By Zoltán Szabó, 01 November 2025

Terrific orchestral colours abound in this Sydney Symphony concert under Simone Young, adding to a thoughtful and emotive rendering of one of the best-known cello concertos.

****1

Simone Young conducts the Sydney Symphony © Daniel Boud (2024)

Cello whisperer Kian Soltani debuts in Sydney

By Zoltán Szabó

Daniel Müller-Schott and the Sydney Symphony Orchestra © Sydney Symphony Orchestra (2022)

Rococo, sorcerers and puppets: Daniel Müller-Schott and the Sydney Symphony

By Zoltán Szabó, 22 October 2025

A delightful programme welcomes conductor Lionel Bringuier and returning cellist Daniel Müller-Schott to Sydney.

****1

Daniel Müller-Schott and the Sydney Symphony Orchestra © Sydney Symphony Orchestra (2022)

Daniel Müller-Schott plays Tchaikovsky with the Sydney Symphony

By Zoltán Szabó

Marc-André Hamelin © Sim Canetty-Clarke

From the sublime to the rambunctious: Marc-André Hamelin in Sydney recital

By Zoltán Szabó, 15 September 2025

Two mighty piano sonatas bookend Marc-André Hamelin's concert at Sydney's City Recital Hall.

****1

Marc-André Hamelin © Sim Canetty-Clarke

The sublime and the rambunctious: Marc-André Hamelin in Sydney recital

By Zoltán Szabó

Simone Young conducts the Sydney Symphony Orchestra © Jay Patel (2018)

Sublime Burleske and memorable imagery in the Sydney Symphony's Strauss concert

By Zoltán Szabó, 03 September 2025

Three very different works from the long life of Richard Strauss are performed by the Sydney Symphony Orchestra under Simone Young.

****1

Simone Young conducts the Sydney Symphony Orchestra © Jay Patel (2018)

Sublime Burleske in the Sydney Symphony's Strauss concert

By Zoltán Szabó

Sir Stephen Hough, Elim Chan and the Sydney Symphony Orchestra © Craig Abercrombie

Majestic Brahms from Sir Stephen Hough and Elim Chan in Sydney

By Zoltán Szabó, 17 May 2025

Elim Chan expertly conducts the SSO through a varied programme featuring an Australian fanfare, Russian ballet music and Brahms' First Piano Concerto with Sir Stephen Hough.

****1

Sir Stephen Hough, Elim Chan and the Sydney Symphony Orchestra © Craig Abercrombie

Majestic Brahms from Sir Stephen Hough and Elim Chan in Sydney

By Zoltán Szabó

Lise de la Salle © Craig Abercombie

Dreamy undertones without whirlwinds of passion: Lise de la Salle in Sydney

By Zoltán Szabó, 07 April 2025

A most appealing Romantic programme by the French pianist at Sydney's City Recital Hall, played with accurate finesse in search of emotional highlights.

***11

Lise de la Salle © Craig Abercombie

Dreamy undertones without whirlwinds of passion: Lise de la Salle

By Zoltán Szabó

Anna Dowsley (Dido) © Keith Saunders

Stunning acrobatics, a forlorn farewell: Purcell’s Dido and Aeneas in Sydney

By Zoltán Szabó, 13 March 2025

Yaron Lifschitz mesmerises from the opening tableaux’s row of candles in his Purcell staging for Opera Australia, featuring Circa, a Brisbane-based circus company.

****1

Anna Dowsley (Dido) © Keith Saunders

Stunning acrobatics, a forlorn farewell: Dido and Aeneas in Sydney

By Zoltán Szabó

Annie Aitken (Cunegonde) © Carlita Sari

Is Opera Australia’s Candide really the best of all possible worlds?

By Zoltán Szabó, 20 February 2025

Dean Bryant's production of Leonard Bernstein’s operetta leans more towards musical theatre, blending French period costumes with weak attempts at Aussie humour.

**111

Annie Aitken (Cunegonde) © Carlita Sari

Is Opera Australia’s Candide really the best of all possible worlds?

By Zoltán Szabó

Richard Tognetti © Charlie Kinross

Mesmerising, but relentless: Tognetti and the ACO play Brahms and Beethoven

By Zoltán Szabó, 11 February 2025

Awe-inspiring performances of much loved classics in Sydney, yet the musical eyebrows have reasons to go (and stay) up.

****1

Richard Tognetti © Charlie Kinross

Mesmerising, but relentless Brahms and Beethoven from the ACO

By Zoltán Szabó

Sydney Symphony Orchestra © Daniel Boud

This Rite was just not right: Vasily Petrenko conducts the Sydney Symphony

By Zoltán Szabó, 27 November 2024

After so many terrific concerts in the last few months, Petrenko's performance with the SSO does not quite fulfill expectations.

***11

Sydney Symphony Orchestra © Daniel Boud

This Rite was just not right: Vasily Petrenko and the Sydney Symphony

By Zoltán Szabó

Simone Young and the Sydney Symphony Orchestra © Sydney Symphony Orchestra | Jay Patel

Simone Young and the Sydney Symphony Orchestra perform a splendid Die Walküre

By Zoltán Szabó, 15 November 2024

Wotan's predicaments provide Sydney's victory: Chief Conductor Simone Young has her musicians on some of their best form in recent years, with only a few question marks over an excellent concert performance.

****1

Simone Young and the Sydney Symphony Orchestra © Sydney Symphony Orchestra | Jay Patel

Young and the Sydney Symphony perform a splendid Die Walküre

By Zoltán Szabó

Stuart Skelton and the Australian Chamber Orchestra © Nic Walker

Symphony or song cycle? Mahler’s Das Lied von der Erde performed by the ACO

By Zoltán Szabó, 17 May 2024

Mahler's epic five-movement symphonic song cycle is performed by a chamber ensemble with mixed results.

***11

Stuart Skelton and the Australian Chamber Orchestra © Nic Walker

Symphony or song cycle? Mahler’s Das Lied von der Erde in Sydney

By Zoltán Szabó

Han-Na Chang conducts the Sydney Symphony Orchestra © Craig Abercrombie

The Times They Are a-Changin: Han-Na Chang’s conducting debut in Sydney

By Zoltán Szabó, 08 May 2024

Making her debut on the conductor’s podium, Han-Na Chang’s enthusiastic musicality makes a strong impression at the Sydney Opera House, in Prokofiev’s Piano Concerto no. 2 and Tchaikovsky’s Fifth Symphony.

****1

Han-Na Chang conducts the Sydney Symphony Orchestra © Craig Abercrombie

Han-Na Chang makes long-awaited conducting debut in Sydney

By Zoltán Szabó

Kristian Bezuidenhout and the Australian Chamber Orchestra © Charlie Kinross

A walk to Beethoven: Bezuidenhout and the Australian Chamber Orchestra

By Zoltán Szabó, 23 March 2024

Kristian Bezuidenhout joins the ACO for a piecemeal programme leading to a complete performance of Beethoven's Emperor Concerto.

***11

Kristian Bezuidenhout and the Australian Chamber Orchestra © Charlie Kinross

A walk to Beethoven: Bezuidenhout and the Australian Chamber Orchestra

By Zoltán Szabó

Víkingur Ólafsson © Craig Abercrombie, courtesy of Sydney Symphony Orchestra

A tribute to humanity: Víkingur Ólafsson plays the Goldberg Variations in Sydney

By Zoltán Szabó, 18 March 2024

A faultless performance of whisper-quiet intimacy alternating with thundering counterpoint as the Icelandic pianist makes his much anticipated Australian debut.

*****

Víkingur Ólafsson © Craig Abercrombie, courtesy of Sydney Symphony Orchestra

A tribute to humanity: Víkingur Ólafsson plays the Goldbergs in Sydney

By Zoltán Szabó

Sydney Symphony Orchestra © Jay Patel

To the stars with the stars at the Sydney Symphony season opener

By Zoltán Szabó, 28 February 2024

A powerful season-opening concert featuring Renaud Capuçon playing the Australian premiere of Camille Pépin's Violin Concerto Le Sommeil a pris ton empreinte.

****1

Sydney Symphony Orchestra © Jay Patel

To the stars with the stars at the Sydney Symphony season opener

By Zoltán Szabó

Samantha Clarke (Violetta) © Keith Saunders

Fresh breezes bring change: Opera Australia’s new Traviata delights

By Zoltán Szabó, 04 January 2024

Sarah Giles' new production replaces Elijah Moshinsky's venerable staging, and the talented cast delivers a successful performance.

*****

Samantha Clarke (Violetta) © Keith Saunders

Fresh breezes bring change: Opera Australia’s new Traviata delights

By Zoltán Szabó

Richard Tognetti, Polina Leschenko and the Australian Chamber Orchestra © Nic Walker

Young Romantic masters played by the ACO and Polina Leschenko

By Zoltán Szabó, 11 November 2023

A terrific collaboration between Russian pianist Polina Leschenko and the Australian Chamber Orchestra in music by Chopin and Mendelssohn.

****1

Richard Tognetti, Polina Leschenko and the Australian Chamber Orchestra © Nic Walker

Young Romantic masters played by the ACO and Polina Leschenko

By Zoltán Szabó

Joshua Bell directs the Academy of St Martin in the Fields © Jay Patel

Mozart and Beethoven from the ASMF and Joshua Bell in Sydney mini-residency

By Zoltán Szabó, 08 October 2023

Sydney revels in Joshua Bell's masterful violin playing and leadership of the Academy of St Martin in the Fields on their Australian tour.

****1

Joshua Bell directs the Academy of St Martin in the Fields © Jay Patel

Mozart and Beethoven from the ASMF and Bell in Sydney mini-residency

By Zoltán Szabó

Richard Tognetti directs the Australian Chamber Orchestra © Charlie Kinross

Energetic Mozart symphonies by the Australian Chamber Orchestra

By Zoltán Szabó, 27 June 2023

Cheerful energy and exploding fireworks in the ACO's Sydney programme, if lacking in a little repose.

****1

Richard Tognetti directs the Australian Chamber Orchestra © Charlie Kinross

Energetic Mozart symphonies by the Australian Chamber Orchestra

By Zoltán Szabó

Aida, Act 2 finale © Keith Saunders

Writhing snakes and nodding panthers: Opera Australia revives digital Aida

By Zoltán Szabó, 19 June 2023

Despite high quality singing, arresting video cannot replace real direction in Davide Livermore’s digital production.

***11

Aida, Act 2 finale © Keith Saunders

Writhing snakes and nodding panthers: Opera Australia revives Aida

By Zoltán Szabó

Sir Simon Rattle conducts the London Symphony Orchestra © Jay Patel

Rattle and the LSO triumph in Bruckner 7 at the Sydney Opera House

By Zoltán Szabó, 03 May 2023

In the last of the LSO's Sydney concerts, Sir Simon Rattle's affinity with Bruckner's score results in a heartfelt performance of the Seventh Symphony.

*****

Sir Simon Rattle conducts the London Symphony Orchestra © Jay Patel

Rattle and the LSO triumph in Bruckner 7 at the Sydney Opera House

By Zoltán Szabó

Brodsky Quartet © Cassandra Hannagan

Magnificent views not quite matched by a brooding programme of the Brodsky Quartet

By Zoltán Szabó, 23 April 2023

In a problematic acoustic environment, the Brodsky Quartet's sound did not always live up to the expectations.

***11

Brodsky Quartet © Cassandra Hannagan

A brooding programme from the Brodsky Quartet in Sydney

By Zoltán Szabó

Karah Son (Cio-Cio-San) and Diego Torre (Pinkerton) © Keith Saunders

An evocative retelling of Madama Butterfly on Sydney Harbour

By Zoltán Szabó, 24 March 2023

Paradise is lost and greed is good in this stunning retelling of Puccini's ageless opera.

****1

Karah Son (Cio-Cio-San) and Diego Torre (Pinkerton) © Keith Saunders

An evocative retelling of Madama Butterfly on Sydney Harbour

By Zoltán Szabó

Iván Fischer and Vilde Frang in rehearsal © István Kurcsák | Budapest Festival Orchestra

Meticulous Bartók from Vilde Frang and the Budapest Festival Orchestra

By Zoltán Szabó, 14 November 2022

Iván Fischer mixes things up for Schubert's “Great C major” Symphony with an unusual seating arrangement.

*****

Iván Fischer and Vilde Frang in rehearsal © István Kurcsák | Budapest Festival Orchestra

Meticulous Bartók from Vilde Frang and the Budapest Festival Orchestra

By Zoltán Szabó

Daniel Müller-Schott and the Sydney Symphony Orchestra © David Swift

Bohemian sounds from Müller-Schott and the Sydney Symphony Orchestra

By Zoltán Szabó, 28 October 2022

Antonín Dvořák’s Cello Concerto takes Sydney audiences to Czech forests before Eduardo Strausser conducts excerpts from Prokofiev's Romeo and Juliet.

****1

Daniel Müller-Schott and the Sydney Symphony Orchestra © David Swift

Bohemian sounds from Müller-Schott and the Sydney Symphony Orchestra

By Zoltán Szabó

Olli Mustonen © Julian Kingma

The (Re)Creation of Schubert’s world: Olli Mustonen with the ACO in Sydney

By Zoltán Szabó, 20 September 2022

The Finnish composer/pianist's refined and idiosyncratic musical style makes for a great collaboration with the ACO solo string players.

*****

Olli Mustonen © Julian Kingma

(Re)Creating Schubert’s world: Olli Mustonen with the ACO

By Zoltán Szabó

Zubin Mehta conducts the Australia World Orchestra © Prudence Upton

Abounding in nature’s gifts: Zubin Mehta and the Australian World Orchestra in Sydney

By Zoltán Szabó, 02 September 2022

Zubin Mehta conducts a trio of Strauss tone poems as the Australian World Orchestra arrives back in Sydney.

*****

Zubin Mehta conducts the Australia World Orchestra © Prudence Upton

Zubin Mehta and the Australian World Orchestra in Sydney

By Zoltán Szabó

Simone Young, Hilary Hahn and the Sydney Symphony © Pierre Toussaint

From gracious to robust: Hilary Hahn returns to the Sydney Symphony Orchestra

By Zoltán Szabó, 30 July 2022

Hahn’s practically faultless rendering also offered a most pleasing freshness and joy of spontaneity.

****1

Simone Young, Hilary Hahn and the Sydney Symphony © Pierre Toussaint

Hilary Hahn returns to the Sydney Symphony Orchestra

By Zoltán Szabó

Opening night in the Concert Hall of the Sydney Opera House © Daniel Boud

Resurrection: Mahler resounds in the renovated Concert Hall of the Sydney Opera House

By Zoltán Szabó, 20 July 2022

Simone Young marks the start of her tenure at the helm of the Sydney Symphony with a performance that showcases the outstanding acoustics of the renovated Concert Hall.

*****

Opening night in the Concert Hall of the Sydney Opera House © Daniel Boud

Resurrection: Mahler resounds in the renovated Concert Hall

By Zoltán Szabó

Waiting for the robins to nest again: an underwhelming Madama Butterfly in Sydney

By Zoltán Szabó, 29 June 2022

A mid-performance jump-in by tenor Thomas Strong saves the show on the opening night of this revival of Graeme Murphy's production.

***11

An underwhelming Madama Butterfly in Sydney

By Zoltán Szabó

Moving singing, but missed opportunities in Dresden’s new Aida

By Zoltán Szabó, 17 March 2022

Katharina Thalbach offers a traditional staging at the Semperoper, with fine vocal performances led by Krassimira Stoyanova, Francesco Meli and Oksana Volkova.

***11

Moving singing, but missed opportunities in Dresden’s new Aida

By Zoltán Szabó

Iconic Turandot production returns with steely high notes to Opera Australia

By Zoltán Szabó, 12 January 2022

Graeme Murphy's legendary staging of Puccini's final opera remains a vital combination of strong storytelling and visual panache.

****1

Iconic Turandot production returns to Opera Australia

By Zoltán Szabó

From the menacing to the nostalgic: Janine Jansen and Denis Kozhukhin at the Verbier Festival

By Zoltán Szabó, 25 July 2021

A risk-free, splendid musical feast for a summer festival, magnificently performed in Verbier's church.

****1

Janine Jansen and Denis Kozhukhin at the Verbier Festival

By Zoltán Szabó

Household names at Barbican Hall: Sheku and Isata Kanneh-Mason

By Zoltán Szabó, 04 July 2021

One of the most appealing features of the concert was the friendly and casual nature with which these two young musicians presented a concert of relatively lesser-known works for cello and piano to a mostly young audience.

****1

Household names at the Barbican: Sheku and Isata Kanneh-Mason

By Zoltán Szabó

Jubilation as Anne-Sophie Mutter performs with Martha Argerich for the first time

By Zoltán Szabó, 02 July 2021

Martha Argerich is one of the musical miracles of our times. Like exquisite wine, she seems to gain depth and new qualities with maturity.

****1

Jubilation as Mutter performs with Argerich for the first time

By Zoltán Szabó

Glorious chamber music from Martha Argerich and friends in Hamburg

By Zoltán Szabó, 28 June 2021

From Beethoven's “Ghost” Piano Trio to Schumann’s song cycle, Frauenliebe und -leben, an eclectic programme at the Martha Argerich Festival.

****1

Glorious chamber music from Martha Argerich and friends in Hamburg

By Zoltán Szabó

Sheku Kanneh-Mason moves out of the shadows with Dvořák in Liverpool

By Zoltán Szabó, 01 June 2021

Dvořák's Cello Concerto takes star billing after Rory Macdonald conducts the RLPO in Wagner's Siegfried Idyll.

****1

Sheku Kanneh-Mason moves out of the shadows in Liverpool

By Zoltán Szabó

World-class music making: Zimmerman, Queyras and the Belcea Quartet in Hamburg

By Zoltán Szabó, 24 May 2021

Issues with technical filming couldn't mar the artistry of a great set of musicians as they tackled Brahms' String Sextets.

****1

World-class music making: the Belcea Quartet in Hamburg

By Zoltán Szabó

Distinctive Wagner and Brahms from Andris Nelsons and the Munich Philharmonic

By Zoltán Szabó, 15 May 2021

In the outstanding acoustics of the Philharmonie im Gasteig, the occasion proved both orchestra and conductor as exceptional interpreters.

*****

Distinctive Wagner and Brahms from Nelsons and the Munich Philharmonic

By Zoltán Szabó

Simone Young makes her debut with the Philharmonia in early German Romantics

By Zoltán Szabó, 30 April 2021

Steven Isserlis offers sophisticated musical empathy in Schumann's Cello Concerto at the Royal Festival Hall, London.

****1

Simone Young debuts with the Philharmonia in early German Romantics

By Zoltán Szabó

Christian Thielemann makes Bavarian Radio Symphony Orchestra debut

By Zoltán Szabó, 16 April 2021

In the Sonatina, Thielemann conducted the BRSO winds through the myriad of characteristic Strauss motifs with easy-going rubato.

****1

Christian Thielemann makes Bavarian Radio Symphony Orchestra debut

By Zoltán Szabó

Seeing double: Bluebeard’s Castle at Opéra de Lyon

By Zoltán Szabó, 26 March 2021

A controversial new production of Bluebeard's Castle by Andriy Zholdak in which Bartók's opera is played out twice...

**111

Seeing double: Bluebeard’s Castle at Opéra de Lyon

By Zoltán Szabó

Many happy returns! Steven Osborne’s 50th birthday concert at Wigmore Hall

By Zoltán Szabó, 12 March 2021

An evening of Hausmusik as friends gather to celebrate the birthday of one of the UK's finest pianists at Wigmore Hall.

****1

Many happy returns! Steven Osborne’s 50th birthday concert

By Zoltán Szabó

A joyful experience exploring Bach’s musical universe: Alisa Weilerstein in Cleveland

By Zoltán Szabó, 25 February 2021

The musical intelligence of Weilerstein's approach made every movement a joyful experience while exploring Bach's musical universe.

****1

Alisa Weilerstein's Bach marathon in Cleveland

By Zoltán Szabó

Jaap van Zweden welcomed back in Antwerp

By Zoltán Szabó, 12 February 2021

The Dutch conductor returns to his old orchestra for a concert stream of Beethoven, with Nicholas Angelich, and Tchaikovsky.

****1

Jaap van Zweden welcomed back in Antwerp

By Zoltán Szabó

Hélène Grimaud and Nicholas McGegan perform Mozart masterpieces in Dallas

By Zoltán Szabó, 29 January 2021

Two minor key works, performed before a – limited – live audience in Dallas, and streamed online.

***11

Grimaud and McGegan perform Mozart masterpieces in Dallas

By Zoltán Szabó

FP3

Young Artists To Watch: Theodor Sink – You cannot get rich by working

By Zoltán Szabó, 05 February 2021

Estonian cellist Theodor Sink is passionate about contemporary music and his home country's unique approach to music-making.

FP3

Theodor Sink: You cannot get rich by working

By Zoltán Szabó