Singapore Symphony Launches 2026/27 Season with New Music Director and Cross-Cultural Collaborations

SSO 2026/27 Season

Hannu Lintu Inaugural Series Mahler 5 and Nomad Concerto

Hannu Lintu Inaugural Series  

The Singapore Symphony launches its 2026/27 season with the inauguration of Hannu Lintu as Quantedge Music Director in July, marking the beginning of a new artistic chapter for the Singapore Symphony Orchestra (SSO). 

Opening the Hannu Lintu Inaugural Series on 17 and 18 Jul at the Esplanade Concert Hall is Gil Shaham and Mahler 5. The concert opens with the world premiere of Après l’Odyssée 

《守护》 by Singaporean composer Tan Chan Boon, followed by Mason Bates’s Nomad Concerto featuring acclaimed violinist Gil Shaham. Described by Bates as exploring the “mysterious and soulful music of the wanderer”, the work was written to highlight Shaham’s warmth and elegance through a contemporary musical language. 

The programme concludes with Mahler’s Symphony No. 5, a major work in the orchestral repertoire whose dramatic opening, celebrated Adagietto and expansive finale span a wide emotional and musical landscape. 

Hannu Lintu Inaugural Series Zarathustra and Bluebeard’s Castle

The Hannu Lintu Inaugural Series continues on 24 Jul with Zarathustra and Bluebeard’s Castle, a programme exploring the expressive breadth of orchestral and operatic storytelling. Richard Strauss’s Thus Spoke Zarathustra opens with a symphonic reflection on humanity, purpose and destiny. 

The programme then moves into the darker world of Bartók’s Duke Bluebeard’s Castle, a one-act opera that explores mystery, desire and human vulnerability. Award-winning Chinese bass-baritone Shenyang and English mezzo-soprano Jennifer Johnston take on the roles of Bluebeard and Judith, drawing audiences into the work’s suspenseful and dramatic landscape. 

Agápe – The Human Connection

Agápe – The Human Connection  

In celebration of Apsaras Dance Company’s Golden Jubilee, SSO partners Apsaras and v for Agápe – The Human Connection. Led by Artistic Director and Cultural Medallion recipient Aravinth Kumarasamy and featuring conductor Joshua Tan, Agápe is a multidisciplinary work exploring relationships with oneself, with others, with nature and across cultures. Conceived as an artistic response to contemporary concerns surrounding mental wellbeing, societal disconnect and digital alienation, the production brings together dance, live orchestral music and visual storytelling. 

The performance features international collaborators including choreographer and guest dancer Rama Vaidhyanathan (India), principal dancer Mohanapriyan Thavarajah (Sri Lanka), music composer Dr Rajkumar Bharathi (India), music arranger and director Sai Shravanam (India), costume designer MOHA by Priyan (Singapore), set designer Wong Chee Wai (Singapore), and dramaturg Lim How Ngean (Australia).  

Tickets for the 2026/27 season are on sale now at sso.org.sg