2023: a first-class year for Australian symphonic orchestras

An emphasis on sustainable music making, Australian composition, the showcasing of female conductors and composers, plus the voices of First Nations musicians, distinguish many 2023 repertoire choices.
orchestras

2023 is looking to be one of our strongest on record for orchestral symphonic music across Australia. Alongside the six major orchestras, with full program activities in Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Adelaide, Perth and Hobart, several other orchestras and chamber groups are offering well-considered, beautifully-crafted and interesting programs.

COVID-19 seems also to have helped the classical music industry be more rigorous and even more ambitious in its programming. Intra and interstate touring is back on the agenda, alongside some welcome international tours that are already well-subscribed. Musically, Australia is certainly bouncing back from lockdowns and even making up for lost time with new strategic appointments. There is a sense of orchestral optimism in the air on many fronts.    

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Suzannah Conway is an experienced arts administrator, having been CEO of Opera Queensland, the Brisbane Riverfestival and the Centenary of Federation celebrations for Queensland. She is a freelance arts writer and has been writing reviews and articles for over 20 years, regularly reviewing classical music, opera and musical theatre in particular for The Australian and Limelight magazine as well as other journals. Most recently she was Arts Hub's Brisbane-based Arts Feature Writer.