Melbourne Symphony Orchestra has announced its 2023 season, its second under Spanish-born Chief Conductor Jaime Martín. Highlights include Britten’s War Requiem and Mahler’s Symphony No 5 with Martín on the podium, the Australian premiere of Sir James MacMillan’s Christmas Oratorio, conducted by the composer, and the world premiere of Katy Abbott’s Peace Concerto.

The season includes 17 new works, including three commissions by Mary Finsterer, MSO’s Composer in Residence for 2023, as well as new works by Paul Grabowsky, Elena Kats-Chernin, Melissa Douglas and Alex Turley among others.

María Dueñas. Photo © Tam Lan Truong

Music by women has a strong focus, with Lili Boulanger, Deborah Cheetham, Katy Abbott, Margaret Sutherland and Grażyna Bacewicz on the program, while Australian-born, European-based soprano Siobhan Stagg is the orchestra’s 2023 Artist in Residence.

Spanish pianist Javier Perianes, Spanish violinist María Dueñas – a rising star at 18 – and Georgian-French pianist Khatia Buniatishvili will each make their MSO debut, conducted by Martín.

“I cannot tell you how much I am enjoying getting to know the orchestra more,” Martín...