Queensland Symphony Orchestra (QSO) has unveiled a genre-crossing programme spanning Shakespeare, circus, cinema, spirituality and stunning symphonies in 2025.
Music is at the heart of the 2025 programme, and it’s elevated through collaborations with world-renowned performance company Circa, influential thespian John Bell, contemporary Australian composer Nigel Westlake and singer Lior, and Westminster Abbey organist James O’Donnell.
Things kick off with the ‘Opening Gala: Rite Of Spring’, featuring gravity-defying performance artists from Circa, alongside QSO’s 2025 artist-in-residence, violinist Kristina Winter, and a diversity of sublime musical stylings from Giuseppe Verdi and Johann Strauss II to Hans Zimmer and John Williams.
QSO Chief Conductor Umberto Clerici says the 2025 theme of ‘spirituality and the world beyond’ reflects the orchestra’s continued exploration and extension of its artistic reach.
Some of the 2025 shows connect to religious spirituality, like Lior and Westlake’s dazzling symphonic song cycle ‘Compassion’ and Verdi’s ‘Requiem’, but most connect to broader spiritual themes like life in Tchaikovsky’s ‘Pathetique’, death in Mahler’s ‘Symphony No. 9’, fate in Beethoven’s ‘Symphony No. 5’, philosophy in ‘Also Sprach Zarathustra’, and the rituals and sacrifices of Stravinsky’s ‘The Rite Of Spring’.
“This programme explores beauty, transcendence and inspiration but also brutality and primal instincts,” Maestro Clerici says.
“‘The Rite Of Spring’ is probably the most revolutionary work of the 20th Century and it is conceived as a ballet about pagan rites, sage elders and the propitiatory sacrifice of a young maiden.
“It is one of the most physically engaging ballets, and we’ve partnered with a leader in contemporary circus, Circa, to bring this concert to life.
“This juxtaposition of arts will make the music more vivid, dynamic and visually stunning.”
Driving each QSO collaboration is a desire to enhance music and immerse audiences. In 2025, that includes engaging renowned actor, director and the founder of The Bell Shakespeare Company, John Bell, narrating a concert inspired by Shakespeare’s ‘The Tempest’.
QSO will welcome international soloists and special guests like Canadian superstar violinist James Ehnes, rising Swedish star Daniel Lozakovich and renowned pianists Sir Stephen Hough, Alexander Gavrylyuk and Javier Perianes.
QPAC’s Klais Grand Organ, with its 6,500 pipes, will fill the Concert Hall for ‘The Royal Organist’. Plus, the silver screen will come to life thanks to special presentations of ‘James Bond: Skyfall’, ‘Harry Potter And The Deathly Hallows Part II’, ‘Brief Encounter’, ‘Home Alone’, and the movie mixtape ‘Cinematic: The Oscars’.
“I am constantly looking to mix different art forms because we live in a time that is more visual than aural,” Maestro Clerici says. “Acrobats, dancers, actors, filmmakers and light designers are welcome to collaborate and expand our horizons. The music must be enhanced but not disturbed and audiences should feel immersed and moved but not distracted so I try to do projects with integrity and intellectual depth in mind.”
“I believe by performing strong music with full commitment, energy and depth, everyone will be touched, interested or at least made curious.
“Just like for Shakespeare, the language may feel ‘old’ but the emotions and purpose are always contemporary. In the end, art expresses human stories to other human beings.”
Queensland Symphony Orchestra’s 2025 season kicks off with ‘Opening Gala: Rite Of Spring’ 20-22 February.
