The Singapore Symphony Orchestra (SSO) has announced its 2026/27 season, marking the start of Hannu Lintu’s tenure as Music Director, alongside new appointments and a return to international touring.
The season opens in July 2026 with Lintu leading programmes that combine core repertoire and contemporary works, including Mahler’s Symphony No. 5 and Mason Bates’s Nomad Concerto, followed by Richard Strauss’s Also sprach Zarathustra and Bartók’s Duke Bluebeard’s Castle.
New appointments
The orchestra also introduces two key appointments for the season. French conductor Nathanaël Iselin joins as Associate Conductor for the 2026/27 and 2027/28 seasons, while Andrew Beer takes up the position of Concertmaster.
Return to China
In October 2026, the SSO will embark on a seven-city tour of China—its first visit since 2011—performing in Shanghai, Beijing, Guangzhou, Shenzhen, Wuhan, Changsha and Xiamen under Lintu’s direction.
Season highlights
Across the season, the orchestra presents large-scale works including Verdi’s Messa da Requiem, alongside programmes featuring composers such as John Adams, Lera Auerbach and Donghoon Shin, within a broader repertoire that also includes Brahms, Schumann and Schubert.
Guest conductors include Marin Alsop, François Leleux and Vasily Petrenko, while returning artists include violinists Augustin Hadelich and James Ehnes, and pianists Marc-André Hamelin and Jean-Efflam Bavouzet.
Among those making their debut with the orchestra are pianists Nobuyuki Tsujii and Vadym Kholodenko, as well as violinists Clara-Jumi Kang and Paul Huang.
Context and direction
Lintu’s first season places the orchestra within a framework that combines established symphonic repertoire with contemporary works and international touring. The return to China signals a renewed emphasis on the orchestra’s international presence, while the programming suggests continuity rather than a marked shift in artistic direction.
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This article was produced by the Moto Perpetuo editorial team.
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