A Puccini opera staged on the historic lightship; a mini-festival of exploratory engagements with JS Bach at the ACO Neilson; a queer Ode to Joy absolutely unlike that which Beethoven imagined, and the Sydney premiere of Kate Miller-Heidke’s comedy-musical Bananaland are among highlights of the 2024 Sydney Festival announced today.

The third festival under the Artistic Directorship of Olivia Ansell, the three-week event brings some of the most adventurous companies from Europe and the Americas with local creatives for a festival returning to full-strength in the wake of a successful recovery last year that saw over 420,000 people attending events across Sydney and more than 186,000 tickets sold.

The 2024 festival, opening on 5 January will present 26 world premieres, 29 Australian exclusives, 15 co-commissioned works and 43 free events. More than 1,000 artists feature in over 150 events.

“Saltwater stories, freshwater stories and the weaving of over one thousand local and international artists; get ready for a blockbuster summer that speaks to the heart and soul of Sydney – the best harbour city in the world,” says Ansell.

SF2024 is a big offering,...