Melbourne Symphony Orchestra: Winter Gala

As the Melbourne Symphony Orchestra celebrates its 120th anniversary, its Winter Gala reunites the orchestra’s chief conductor, Jaime Martín, with the internationally acclaimed soprano Danielle de Niese for an unforgettable evening of music

For 120 years, the Melbourne Symphony Orchestra has been a fixture of Australia’s cultural scene, bringing world-class music to audiences across generations. This year, the orchestra is celebrating the milestone at its premier event and one of the highlights of the 2026 season, the Winter Gala.

The gala brings together the orchestra’s chief conductor, Jaime Martín, and the internationally acclaimed soprano Danielle de Niese for an evening of music spanning classics, Broadway favourites and orchestral showpieces.

For Melbourne-born de Niese, dubbed “opera’s coolest soprano” by the New York Times Magazine, it’s a homecoming she’s embracing. “I am so excited to return to my birth country to perform in my hometown with the Melbourne Symphony,” de Niese says. “My dreams were born in Melbourne so it’s incredibly fitting to be returning home to sing this program.”

The concert marks a reunion between de Niese and Martín, who has led the orchestra as chief conductor since 2022. Together with the orchestra, the pair will perform a broad-ranging program that aims to capture the power, emotion and excitement of live orchestral music.

“Something that we both share and appreciate in each other is musical versatility,” de Niese says. “We both wear our hearts on our sleeves musically so it is absolutely infectious to share the stage together, and I’m sure that audiences will feel the palpable joy that we feel performing together.”

The evening’s repertoire will span continents and musical styles, highlighting the versatility of de Niese, Martín and the orchestra. Ginastera’s Variaciones Concertantes will bring an Argentinian flavour to the program, and allow the orchestra’s musicians to showcase their virtuosity through a vibrant and colourful score, while Bernstein’s Symphonic Dances from West Side Story will deliver all the energy, drama and infectious rhythms that have made the musical’s mid-century take on Romeo and Juliet a timeless favourite.

Alongside these works, audiences will also enjoy songs by Gershwin, whose melodies continue to bridge the worlds of classical music, jazz and popular culture.

“I think it will be an incredible celebration, and audiences can expect to have plenty of razzle-dazzle, some great sentimental favourites and some really cracking Bernstein, Cole Porter and Jerome Kern repertoire,” de Niese says.

Whether you’re a lifelong classical music enthusiast or someone looking to experience the excitement of a major live performance for the first time, the gala promises to be an extraordinary evening of music. “New audiences will be surprised at how much repertoire they recognise,” de Niese says. “It’s a veritable jewel box of hits.”

As the orchestra reflects on 120 years of musical achievement and looks ahead to its future, this milestone gala event is both a celebration of its remarkable legacy and a showcase of artistic excellence.