Melbourne Symphony Orchestra

Each year the Orchestra performs to more than 250,000 people in Melbourne and regional Victoria, at events ranging from the annual series of Sidney Myer Free Concerts to its Classic Kids concerts for young children. The MSO reaches an even larger audience across Australia through its regular concert broadcasts on ABC Classic FM and through recordings on the Chandos and ABC Classics labels. ABC TV has also produced documentaries on the Orchestra – 'To Russia with Love' about the MSO’s St Petersburg tour and 'MSO Century' in celebration of the Orchestra’s 100th year.

The MSO's concert season runs between February and December performing more than 150 concerts each year primarily at the Arts Centre, Hamer Hall or the Melbourne Town Hall. The Orchestra also performs at the Robert Blackwood Hall, Monash University, Geelong's Costa Hall and at other venues around the State. For more information visit the MSO website or call 03 9626 1111 during business hours.

With a reputation for excellence, versatility and innovation the Melbourne Symphony Orchestra is Australia’s internationally-acclaimed and oldest orchestra, founded in 1906. Following integration with the Melbourne Chorale in 2008, the Orchestra now has its own choir - the MSO Chorus. This fine Orchestra is renowned for its performances of the great symphonic masterworks with leading international and Australian artists, as well as hugely-successful performances with popular artists including Elton John, Harry Connick, Jr. Ben Folds, Burt Bacharach, Meat Loaf, KISS and The Whitlams.

In 2005, Oleg Caetani took up the baton as the MSO’s Chief Conductor and Artistic Director.

The MSO has received widespread international recognition in overseas tours to the USA, Canada, Japan, Korea, Europe (2000), China (2002), St Petersburg, Russia (2003) and Japan (2005). In 2007 the Orchestra embarked upon its second highly-successful European tour to Spain, Paris, Berlin and Milan.