One of the key musical events of Sydney’s Vivid festival, Devonté Hynes with the Sydney Symphony Orchestra, has been cancelled due to the death of Hynes’s mother.

In a note released by the Sydney Opera House, Hynes wrote:

“Hi, so after a lot of thought, I have decided that in addition to last week’s performance in Toronto, I am not able to play the upcoming classical shows scheduled in Vienna, Sydney and Washington DC due to a recent loss in my family. I will be honest and say that I am not able to be onstage right now, and will take this time to grieve and focus on getting myself together.”

“I am so sorry to all those who had bought tickets and made travel arrangements, your support means a lot to me and I deeply apologise.”

Devonté Hynes. Image © Vivid Live

Hynes’s Vivid show – his first in Australia in a decade – was much anticipated. A singer, songwriter and producer who moves between R&B, indie and experimental jazz, the London-born, New York-based artist came to prominence with the release of four albums (as Blood Orange) which melded his love...