Theft at Sydney Opera House, Concert Hall

“Talent borrows, genius steals”. That this quote has variously been attributed to Wilde, Picasso, Eliot, Stravinsky, Burroughs and Morrissey is entirely apt, as it reinforces the problematic concept of originality and highlights the magpie-like borrowings that pervade cultural production.

Devised in the artistic laboratory of Festival Maribor, Theft is directed by Richard Tognetti. A collaboration with musicians, lawyers, experts and thieves, Theft is in an expansive program of incredible music that traces the history of appropriation through the centuries: Beethoven lifting from Mozart and being borrowed by Strauss; Bach taking from Vivaldi, in turn taken by Berg; and 21st-century ‘sampling’ technologies enabling direct quotes from every recording ever made.

Inspiration or plagiarism, homage or robbery? Theft examines music’s past and present to ask questions about the nature of creativity and ownership, taking the audience on a highly entertaining exploration of this secret history.

Presented in partnership with Vivid LIVE, part of Vivid Sydney, Festival of Light, Music and Ideas.