Feel Every Note When Queensland Symphony Orchestra Launches a 2026 Season for All Queenslanders

Queensland Symphony Orchestra (QSO) invites audiences to Feel Every Note of its 2026 season, unveiling a program that spans epic symphonic concerts to intimate recitals.

From the opening solo trumpet of Mahler’s emotive Symphony No.5 to the fading final chorale of Tchaikovsky’s Manfred Symphony, QSO’s 2026 season is filled with highlights, including a showcase of video game soundtracks, repertoire curated by QSO fans, world-leading soloists and conductors, gala performances and live-scored presentations of blockbuster films.  

QSO’s signature Maestro Series bookends the season, presenting 10 masterful concerts in QPAC’s Concert Hall with repertoire that ranges from orchestral classics to new Australian compositions. 

The Maestro Series also spotlights a trio of intriguing concertos, featuring accomplished musicians playing less-profiled classical instruments: James Crabb on the classical accordion, trombonist Jörgen Van Rijen, and Claire Edwardes, Australia’s very own percussion virtuoso.  

They are among a magnificent line-up of soloists, including QSO musicians as well as national and international guests, performing exquisite pieces from Dvořák’s Cello Concerto Op.104 and Beethoven’s only Violin Concerto to Rachmaninov’s Piano Concerto No.2. 

Accompanying the Maestro Series are five Morning Masterworks concerts, the light and uplifting Music On Sundays series, the intimate Studio Sessions in the QSO Studio and a celebration of local and emerging talent in the QSO at the Queensland Conservatorium concerts. 

A captivating program of concert specials includes The Music of John Williams, The Music of Video Games and QSO’s anticipated annual Cinematic event, celebrating The Wonder of Animation. QSO will also live-score film screenings of Gladiator and How to Train Your Dragon in the Great Hall of Brisbane Convention and Exhibition Centre. 

QSO Chief Executive Michael Sterzinger said the 2026 season presented an abundance of opportunities to spotlight the orchestra’s musicians and to highlight new and emerging talent. “Queensland Symphony Orchestra is home to exceptional musicians and in the 2026 season, we are delighted to have the opportunity to celebrate their virtuosity as soloists,” Mr Sterzinger said. “Two special Portraits recitals over the Valentine’s Day weekend are built around the brilliance of QSO’s Principal Flute, Alison Mitchell, and the expressiveness of QSO’s Principal Harp, Emily Granger. In Old Worlds, New Sounds – one of QSO’s Music on Sundays concerts – the orchestra begins with an overture by First Nations composer Christopher Sainsbury before guest violinist Catherina Lee performs Bruch’s soaring Violin Concerto.” 

QSO Chief Conductor Maestro Umberto Clerici said many of QSO’s 2026 concerts incorporated an element of love, most strikingly in the Portraits series. “Emily’s program revolves around the theme of love because it will happen on Valentine’s Day and also because we are playing the world premiere of a new harp concerto written for her by her husband, Tristan Coelho. It doesn’t get more romantic than this!” Maestro Clerici said.  

Continuing this theme is The Italian Gala, Maestro Clerici’s love letter to the music of his homeland. “I wanted to bring our audience to Italy but the easier way to travel is to bring the music to QPAC instead,” he said. “This concert offers a taste, like a degustation menu, of Italy’s musical traditions, starting with opera where the superb soprano, Sofia Troncoso, will join the orchestra to sing music by Donizetti, Rossini, Verdi and Puccini. Then we will continue with the always-popular Vivaldi – I will also play the cello in this – followed by pieces from Italian composers who migrated abroad, a cinematic music spotlight and more.” 

QSO Director – Artistic Planning Matthew Wood said the orchestra’s commitment to representing all Queensland audiences is reflected in its 2026 touring schedule, which includes Cairns, Gladstone, Bundaberg, Gold Coast, Toowoomba, Chinchilla, Miles, Roma and Tara. “The sheer physical size of Queensland is something which always staggers me and while some may see a regional touring program of this scale as a challenge, QSO sees it as a wonderful opportunity to explore our diverse state, connect with audiences of all ages and unite communities in a shared love of music,” Mr Wood said. “The orchestra will play the same repertoire from its QPAC shows in regional venues, so audiences across the state will have the opportunity to experience the same symphonic stalwarts and famous composers, as well as some truly exciting emerging and local talent. QSO also continues its impressive outreach and education programs, which are equally important to everyone at the orchestra as any of our main season fare.” 

QSO’s regional, education and mainstage programs collide in 2026 when Atherton teenager Jonathan Platz, a participant in the 2025 QSO Compose Program, becomes the youngest composer to be commissioned by QSO at just 17 years old. His new, as-yet-untitled work makes its world premiere at an open-air concert at Muro Martin Parkland in Cairns, and as part of the Music On Sundays’ Symphonic Stories concert at QPAC’s Concert Hall in August. 

QSO’s 2026 subscription packages are on sale from 7 October 2025 and tickets to individual concerts are on sale from 17 November 2025.  

For more information about Queensland Symphony Orchestra’s 2026 Season and to secure the best seats in the house, visit qso.com.au. 

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Media Contacts 

Beth Uttley | Aruga  
beth@aruga.com.au
0430 726 564 

Chelsea O’Brien | Aruga
chelsea@aruga.com.au
0431 113 046