THE AUSTRALIAN WORLD ORCHESTRA RETURNS IN 2026
The Australian World Orchestra – 15th Anniversary Season (2026)
The Australian World Orchestra (AWO) will celebrate 15 years of ambitious programming and visionary collaborations in 2026 with a bold new three-part program, conducted by Artistic Director and Chief Conductor Alexander Briger AO.
Following the success of the 2025 concerts of Mahler’s 4th and 5th symphonies performed back-to-back, the AWO will triumphantly return in August 2026 to Melbourne and Sydney for two special anniversary performances.
Program Highlights
Described by Riccardo Muti as “the most flexible orchestra I have ever conducted”, the AWO will unite the finest players from Australia and across the globe to present:
- Stravinsky – Petrushka
- Shostakovich – Symphony No. 10
- Jonathan Mills – Songs for a Stranger (world premiere), performed by Australian tenor Michael Petruccelli
Artistic Vision
For Briger, the anniversary program symbolises extraordinary artistic collaboration and deep respect for classical music in Australia:
“It is a real joy to be celebrating our 15th anniversary of bringing an incredible repertoire of music to Australians played by this country’s finest musicians.” – Alexander Briger
“The AWO stands as one of the nation’s great cultural ambassadors – an orchestra that celebrates imagination, tradition, connection and the enduring power of musical artistry on the world stage. This year’s three mighty works showcase the musical complexity and vibrant energy that the Australian World Orchestra brings to every performance.” – Alexander Briger
The Works
- Stravinsky’s Petrushka (1911) A kaleidoscopic ballet bursting with rhythmic energy and orchestral colour, one of the composer’s most vivid and inventive scores.
- Shostakovich’s Symphony No. 10 (1953) A monumental post-war symphony, traversing a vast emotional landscape from darkness and oppression to fierce defiance and ultimate liberation.
- Jonathan Mills – Songs for a Stranger (World Premiere) A new orchestral song cycle expanding upon Mills’s celebrated opera Eucalyptus, based on Murray Bail’s novel. The work combines two existing songs with two newly composed for the AWO, unfolding as musical meditations on landscape, love, and connection.
Jonathan Mills on the collaboration:
“It’s wonderful to be given the opportunity to write music for such a renowned and multi-faceted orchestra. Alexander Briger has a real commitment to Australian culture. He’s allowed me to compose a suite of songs that focus on love and an exploration of how people perceive the world. I feel somewhat privileged to be able to write music for the Australian World Orchestra to be performed in this country.”
This marks the fourth work exclusively commissioned by the AWO from an Australian composer.
About the Author
Adrian Gunning Adrian lives in Melbourne Australia and has a huge passion for gaming, technology and pop culture. He recently finished his a Bachelor of Journalism and is currently focusing on games journalism. When not writing and playing video games, Adrian can be found in Comics 'R' Us debating the pros of the DC Universe and cons of the Marvel Universe.
Related Posts
Cast announced for new Australian production of Steel Magnolias →
The Twelfth Night – Royal Botanic Gardens Melbourne Review →
LILY ALLEN (UK): SECOND & FINAL SYDNEY & MELBOURNE SHOWS ADDED DUE TO OVERWHELMING PRESALE TICKET DEMAND FOR OCTOBER & NOVEMBER 2026 ARENA TOUR →
