The Adelaide Symphony Orchestra (ASO) has unveiled its 2025 Season of events, promising to take the curious, adventurous, and fearless on a musical voyage. With a thrilling line-up featuring blockbusters from the stage, page and screen, from the beloved classics, daring new works, and iconic film scores, this season is set to be nothing short of memorable.
Chief Conductor Mark Wigglesworth shared his belief in the transformative power of music and his excitement about connecting with all South Australians on a deeper level.
“Music releases us to connect with very deep emotions within ourselves, and shows us how connected these emotions are with other people’s. Music brings us together in an unshakeable way, generating extraordinary empathy towards each other,” he said.
Under the leadership of ASO Chief Executive Officer Colin Cornish, 2025 is a new chapter for the orchestra, with Mark’s leadership evident through the programming of new special events Born in Vienna (21 Nov) at Elder Hall and Mozart’s Requiem at St Peter’s Cathedral (18-19 Sep).
“Born in Vienna is sure to be a captivating weekend of music celebrating Vienna as the birthplace of orchestral music as we know it,” he said.
“Another highlight conducted by Mark promises to be an unforgettable performance of Mozart’s Requiem at St Peter’s Cathedral, where the sounds of the orchestra and voices will be amplified by the cathedral’s breathtaking acoustics.”
After three successive sell-out years, the ASO is returning with its hugely popular immersion concert series. This year, audiences can explore composer Johannes Brahms in Brahms: The Symphonies (21 – 31 May). The orchestra will be led by Chief Conductor Mark Wigglesworth, who says it’s a rare opportunity:
“I have many, many favourite composers, but if I was only allowed one, it would be Brahms! His music is dramatic and poetic, thoughtful and beautiful – it’s the complete musical experience. The chance to hear all four symphonies together is as special as it is rare.”
This season provides South Australian audiences with the opportunity to see history made as legendary British pianist Sir Stephen Hough performs the World Premiere of his very own piano concerto co-commissioned by the ASO, The World of Yesterday.
“To have soloists playing their own concertos harks back to the times when musicians like Rachmaninov did the same thing. The tradition of composer and performer being one and the same is something we very much look forward to showcasing”, says Mark.
The ASO’s flagship Symphony Series at the picturesque Adelaide Town Hall will see luminaries of the piano join Sir Stephen Hough to perform all five Beethoven Piano Concertos, including Javier Perianes, Benjamin Grosvenor, Pavel Kolesnikov, and Stefan Cassomenos. The Adelaide Town Hall also plays host to Stravinsky’s Petrushka in July, the zippy ballet score bringing to life some delightfully mischievous puppets under the skilled baton of Finnish conductor Emilia Hoving.
In a spotlight on music by women composers such as Elena Kats-Chernin, Anna Clyne, and a major figure in Australian music, Peggy Glanville-Hicks, the ASO is teaming up with Adelaide Festival for Light – Song (14 – 15 March) at Elder Hall. Curated by Cathy Milliken, this is a celebration of some of the most fearless women composers from Australia and beyond.
In a change of pace for the ASO, Billy Joel will be celebrated in the Australian Premiere of Piano Man (7-8 Feb). This features new orchestral arrangements by Nicholas Buc and covers his greatest hits including Just the Way You Are, Uptown Girl, She’s Always a Woman, New York State of Mind, Vienna and, of course, Piano Man.
As March comes along, the Adelaide Hills will be the destination for music lovers, as they will have another chance to experience the orchestra in a different light when the ASO travels to the serene hills for a program featuring much-loved chamber classics.
And for all the film buffs out there, join the ASO at the movies at Adelaide Entertainment Centre for the 40th anniversary of Back to the Future (15 Nov) and, the continuation of the much-loved journey through the magical world of Harry Potter, with Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows™ Part 1 in Concert (7 June). The orchestra will be performing these iconic soundtracks live while audiences watch the film on a 40-foot screen.
“ASO enjoys the pride of its community and in 2025 we continue to create opportunities for all South Australians to experience their orchestra in many different venues and through a range of musical styles. Our 2025 season is filled with opportunities to bring families and friends together, whether seasoned or first-time audience members of the orchestra,” Colin Cornish adds.
Packages for Season 2025 are now on sale, with single tickets on sale from the 12th of November 2024.
For more information and to explore the full program, click here.
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