2026 Season Opening Gala

Experience the electrifying kickoff of the 2026 season with the Melbourne Symphony Orchestra’s Opening Gala, conducted by Jaime Martín and starring world‑class pianist Jean‑Yves Thibaudet. The program opens with John Williams’ **Star Wars: Suite for Orchestra**, a fanfare that swells from crashing cymbals to an epic journey through a galaxy far, far away—an unforgettable launchpad for the year ahead. The Gala then transports you to the Jazz Age with George Gershwin’s exuberant **Piano Concerto in F**, where Thibaudet’s virtuosic phrasing captures the glittering spirit of 1920s New York, the era of *The Great Gatsby*. Finally, the orchestra swells again as Jaime Martín leads Rachmaninoff’s rousing **Symphonic Dances**, a lively tribute to early 20th‑century American romanticism. Join us for this sensational live‑performance film and start 2026 with a triumphant celebration of music that has shaped popular culture. Details & tickets available online.