Adelaide Symphony Orchestra Reveals 2026 Season
ASO marks its 90th anniversary with a grand program of events that will unite audiences in a year-long musical celebration of live music.
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Adelaide Symphony Orchestra (ASO) is celebrating its 90th anniversary with an absolutely stacked 2026 Season featuring over 100 performances across South Australia.
A celebration of music that honours the orchestra’s passion, heritage and deep community connection, the 2026 Season includes several special events that are not to be missed.
Planets is a concert celebration of 90 years of the ASO with Welsh Baritone Sir Bryn Terfel, while How To Train Your Dragon In Concert features the children’s film presented in HD with composer John Powell’s Academy Award-nominated score performed live by the full Adelaide Symphony Orchestra.
There will also be concerts paying tribute to the music of Broadway, ballet, Harry Potter, Finnish composer Jean Sibelius and much more.
“Our 90th anniversary season is an invitation to every South Australian to join the ASO and participate in live musical experiences that inspire, soothe and excite audiences of all ages,” says ASO Chief Executive Colin Cornish AM. “The program has been created to celebrate the enormous sense of pride the musicians and the community share for the orchestra.”
Chief Conductor, Mark Wigglesworth, marking the second year of his tenure, adds, “Music is a timeless force for good, a force that is infinitely more powerful when experienced live. The season embraces this power and connection on every level.”
The orchestra’s flagship Symphony Series will return with eight concerts at Adelaide Town Hall, opening with Jupiter featuring star Russian pianist Konstantin Shamray performing Rachmaninov’s Piano Concerto No.2.
Wigglesworth will lead the orchestra for an exclusive orchestra-only version of Wagner’s The Ring, while the ASO’s sell-out composer immersive series is back again, showcasing the symphonies of legendary Finnish composer Jean Sibelius, which will be one of the season highlights, according to Wigglesworth.
“The Sibelius Symphonies will be an unmissable opportunity to appreciate more deeply one of the greatest composers of the twentieth century and also acknowledge the ASO’s history with the composer”, he said.
READ MORE: New Production of ‘Gounod’s Romeo et Juliette’ Hits Adelaide This Month
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The 2026 Season also sees the first performances of three ground-breaking new works curated by the Centre for Aboriginal Studies in Music and Soundstream New Music in Waltjapiti Tjungu – Together, One Family.
An Evening on Broadway stars musical theatre favourites Josh Piterman and Amy Manford performing the timeless hits from Les Misérables, The Phantom of the Opera, West Side Story and more, while Studio Ghibli fans can marvel as iconic Japanese composer and pianist Joe Hisaishi brings a host of classic anime scores to life in The Music of Joe Hisaishi.
“Nothing compares to a live concert and experiencing 80 musicians playing together. The music takes over your senses and exhilarates your emotions”, says ASO Concertmaster Kate Suthers. “You can see and feel your experience reflected in the people around you, and in the commitment of the musicians on stage. If you haven’t heard the ASO live, there’s never been a better time to do it!”.
Colin Cornish adds, “The ASO at 90 is testament to the orchestra’s rich history and vision for a bold and exciting future. We look forward to celebrating with as many people as possible and building the foundations for the next 90 years”, said Colin Cornish.
Packages for Season 2026 are now on sale, with single tickets on sale 12 November 2025. Head to the ASO’s website to explore the full program www.aso.com.au.
