Our beloved Adelaide Symphony Orchestra (ASO) has lifted the curtain on its 2027 program, and, like the incredible 2026 line up, the new program is equally as impressive.
2027 will bring together the great symphonic repertoire, international artists, and world premieres, as well as film and gaming inspired performances.
Major events include Ben Folds with the ASO, a musical celebration of Vienna, film concerts featuring Star Wars: The Empire Strikes Back, How To Train Your Dragon 2, The Music of The Lord of the Rings, and a gaming inspired concert featuring the music of Hollow Knight.
One defining event of the season will be Beethoven: The Symphonies, honouring the composer’s legacy 200 years after his death. Conducted by Mark Wigglesworth, the cycle will unite audiences and highlight the significance of community and musical connection.
Glam Adelaide spoke to the ASO’s Associate Principal Cellist, Sharon Grigoryan about some of the exciting programming audiences can experience in 2027.
“Beethoven: The Symphonies is definitely going to be one of my favourite experiences as a member of the orchestra in 2027. This year we did all of the Sibelius symphonies in two weeks and next year it’s all of the Beethoven symphonies in two weeks. All nine of them – so that’s a lot! – with our chief conductor Mark Wigglesworth. It’s quite literally back-breaking work for the orchestra – we will need to book in quite a few deep tissue massages along the journey!
“Getting to play these incredible works with our chief conductor also makes it particularly special because, with any relationship with a conductor, over time you get to learn body language on the podium and learn what sort of musical personalities they have. It’s like learning a language and when you become familiar with that it’s like a comfortable old shoe. Performing all the symphonies by one composer under Mark’s artistic vision is incomparable to any other artistic musical experience you have the rest of the year. It’s just going to be incredible and I personally can’t wait. Beethoven is my favourite composer.“
The orchestra’s flagship Symphony Series will expand in 2027, showcasing international artists, world and Australian premieres, and new commissions across nine programs at Adelaide Town Hall.
“One thing that really impresses me about Adelaide audiences is how loyal they are to their orchestra. There’s a warmth with Adelaide audiences that is really touching. They’ve embraced our past Symphony Series programming. Sometimes I think something in the series is a bit of a risk and I wonder if audiences will like it, but Adelaide loves coming to something that they have never heard before as well as taking comfort in the programming that is familiar to them. They seem to be really open.”
Adelaide audiences will be among the first in the world to experience new works and commissions from Australian composers including Paul Dean, Jack Symonds, Belinda Gehlert and Elena Kats-Chernin, as well as the Australian premiere of Anna Clyne’s Viola Concerto, performed by Lawrence Power.
“It’s really important to have the mix of both the familiar and the new in the programming. It’s quite a delicate balance, and I’ve had the privilege to be on the Artistic and Repertoire Committee for the last couple of years. Our Artistic Director, Simon Lord, is the great master of juggling all of the repertoire for the whole year, but he has a committee of representatives of the musicians. It really is a balancing act and every program is thought about again and again so thoroughly to get that mixture. As an orchestra, we’re constantly supporting new artists, new composers, but also not forgetting the origins of the orchestra and orchestral music.”
The season also presents some of cinema and gaming’s most iconic music in Adelaide, with the orchestra performing the scores to How To Train your Dragon 2 and Star Wars: The Empire Strikes Back live to screen at Adelaide Entertainment Centre.
“I love Star Wars and I’m so excited that we’re playing The Empire Strikes Back next year. It is my favourite film in the series. It’s hard to be professional in those concerts. I want to watch the films and watch the audiences as they come in dressed up and get right into the whole evening. Sometimes, it’s the first time they have ever seen an orchestra performing live, which makes these events even more special.”
The music of The Lord of the Rings will be celebrated with a concert presented with the return of The Art of the Score podcast. For gaming fans, the ASO will perform the music of Adelaide based composer Christopher Larkin from the locally made video game, Hollow Knight.
Following sold-out family concerts in 2026, the ASO continues to offer dynamic experiences for children, families and young people. The season features family and relaxed performances including Move to the Music, The Young Person’s Guide to the Orchestra by Benjamin Britten with acclaimed comedian Sammy J, Circus of Instruments at DreamBig, school excursions, library performances, Big Rehearsals and Compose with ASO.
There really is something for everyone one in the ASO’s 2027 program.
“There’s a little immersive project in the 2027 program called A Night in Vienna, which is celebrating Vienna’s greatest orchestral music. It’s going to be a wonderful reflection back on where orchestral music came from and how it has developed over time. I love that our chief conductor sees the importance of programming things like this in a season. I’m really proud of that.
“On the other side of things, one of my favourite things to do with the ASO throughout the year are the family concerts and the education workshops and performances. There’s a little offshoot of these family concerts that are always held in our Grainger Studios and they always include one or two concerts that are even more relaxed for children who may be neurodivergent or sensory sensitive. They are really just beautiful to be part of and I find it very heartwarming that we are able to facilitate these sorts of events to make the arts accessible.”
Packages for Season 2027 are now on sale, with single tickets on sale in November.
Head to the ASO’s website to explore the full program: www.aso.com.au
Photo credit: Bri Hammond
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