The Melbourne Symphony Orchestra is Australia’s preeminent orchestra, dedicated to creating meaningful experiences that transcend borders and connect communities. Through the shared language of music, the MSO delivers performances of the highest standard, enriching lives and inspiring audiences across the globe.
Woven into the cultural fabric of Victoria and with a history spanning more than a century, the MSO reaches five million people annually through performances, TV, radio, and online broadcasts, as well as critically acclaimed recordings from its newly established recording label. In 2025, the MSO celebrates 75 years performing in Geelong while our MSO Chorus marks 60 years of creating inspiring musical moments.
In 2025, Jaime Martín continues to lead the Orchestra as the MSO Chief Conductor and Artistic Advisor. Maestro Martín leads an Artistic Family that includes Principal Conductor and Artistic Advisor – Learning and Engagement Benjamin Northey, Cybec Assistant Conductor Leonard Weiss, MSO Chorus Director Warren Trevelyan-Jones, Composer in Residence Liza Lim AM, Artist in Residence James Ehnes, MSO First Nations Creative Chair Deborah Cheetham Fraillon AO, Cybec Young Composer in Residence Klearhos Murphy, Cybec First Nations Composer in Residence James Henry, Artist in Residence, Learning & Engagement Karen Kyriakou, Young Artist in Association Christian Li, and Artistic Ambassadors Tan Dun, Lu Siqing and Xian Zhang.
The MSO regularly presents exceptional artists from across the globe. In 2025, we welcome pianists Daniil Trifonov, Lang Lang and Haochen Zhang, and conductors Vasily Petrenko, Elim Chan and Chloé van Soeterstède. Sopranos Joyce DiDonato and Siobhan Stagg also join, as do Raphaela Gromes and Timo Veikko-Valve (cello), William Barton (yidaki) and Simone Lamsma (violin).
The MSO reaches beyond the customary classical audience. Recent contemporary collaborations include performances with Kate Ceberano, Birds of Tokyo, Electric Fields, Dan Sultan and Ngaiire, the world premiere concert screening of The Man from Snowy River and Australian premieres of Frozen and The Lion King in concert. Through a partnership with the ABC, the MSO’s performances of the annual Classic 100 in Concert continue in 2025, reaching more than a million viewers around the country each year.
The first Australian orchestra to perform overseas (1965) and the first to debut at Carnegie Hall (1970), the MSO has a proud history of international touring and has established firm roots through regular engagement in China, Indonesia and Singapore. The MSO also expanded its reach in the UK through recent partnerships with the London Symphony Orchestra and its label LSO Live, as well as The Royal Academy of Music.
Driven by the belief that music is a universal right, the MSO brings music to all corners of the community. Regional tours, accessible performances, and free events ensure that everyone, regardless of background or location, can share in the transformative power of music.
Whether performing on world stages or in the heart of Victoria, the MSO transforms its mission and vision into reality—enriching lives and creating cultural connections through the unparalleled beauty of music.
