After the unforeseen difficulty of 2020, Darwin Symphony Orchestra will make an ambitious and triumphant return to live performance in 2021, announcing a season that features beloved classics from Beethoven, Saint-Saens and Vaughan Williams, new works and collaborations with Indigenous artists, as well as new initiatives and outreach, all drawing upon the vibrancy of the Northern Territory.

Jonathan Tooby, Chief Conductor and Artistic Director, believes that 2021 is an exciting year for the orchestra, saying: “2021 promises to be one of our most ambitious and diverse programs yet, with an extraordinary variety of musical experiences on offer that span a huge range of repertoire – from collaborations with Aboriginal artists at Barunga Festival to groovy disco dance hits to Shostakovich’s brooding Symphony No 5.”

Darwin Symphony Orchestra. Photograph courtesy of DSO

The season begins in March with a program of classic favourites. Carnival of the Animals (at the Darwin Entertainment Centre) will feature Saint-Saëns’ suite of the same name, as well as Vaughan Williams’ The Lark Ascending, and some other animal kingdom themed pieces with Darwin-based performer...