The pianist from the audience at La La Land in Concert was a global feelgood story – but all was not what it seemed

Published June 24, 2026 · Category: News

Overview

Two orchestra members from the Sydney performance allege tensions behind the scenes were the cause of pianist failing to appear after intermission

When an audience member stepped in for a pianist at a Sydney performance of La La Land in Concert last month it made global headlines.

Details

During the intermission of the concert at Darling Harbour Theatre on 30 May, the two-time Oscar-winning composer and conductor Justin Hurwitz appealed to the 2,000-strong crowd for an “amazing sight-reader”, saying one of his two keyboardists had fallen ill.

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Source

Originally published at www.theguardian.com.

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