The Melbourne Symphony Orchestra has announced its 2020 season with an impressive line-up of conductors old and new and, less surprisingly, a year-long Beethoven celebration in honour of the 250th anniversary of the composer’s birth.

Currently without a Chief Conductor as such, the orchestra will field a triumvirate of maestros: Conductor Laureate Sir Andrew Davis, who will head the Mid-Season Gala, Principal Guest Conductor Xian Zhang, and Principal Conductor in Residence Benjamin Northey who will helm concerts at both Melbourne Town Hall and Hamer Hall. In addition, the MSO has bagged leading international violinist Nicola Benedetti to be its 2020 Soloist in Residence while Deborah Cheetham will be Composer in Residence.

Soloist in Residence Nicola Benedetti

Not unafraid to make a political point, the MSO’s Beethoven commemorations will include participation in “The Beethoven Pastoral Project”, an undertaking timed to coincide with United Nations World Environment Day on June 5. On this date, orchestras all across the planet will come together to address the challenge of climate change. Much-loved octogenarian maestro Vladimir Ashkenazy will lead the orchestra in a...