The 2023/24 season is off to a resounding start with a thrilling performance on July 14 and 15, titled SSO Pops: The Music of Hans Zimmer. Led by the talented conductor Gerard Salonga, SSO will showcase the renowned works of one of the most esteemed film composers of our time. Zimmer’s celebrated discography will transport audiences on a journey inspired by the traditions of The Last Samurai, the adventures of Interstellar and the heroism of The Dark Knight. With the stunning acoustics of the Esplanade Concert Hall as the backdrop, prepare to be captivated by iconic movie soundtracks of the past semicentury. 

July will also see the return of child prodigy violinist Chloe Chua as SSO’s Artist-In-Residence for a second year. She will be performing Mozart’s Sinfonia Concertante alongside He Ziyu, who made his debut with the world-class Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra at the tender age of 18. Led by SSO Music Director Hans Graf, experience the impeccable talent of these two young virtuosos at the Esplanade Concert Hall on July 27 and 28. 

In addition, SSO will be hosting a series of free concerts around Singapore in the same month. Led by Associate Conductor Rodolfo Barráez, prepare your ears for classical favourites at the Lunchtime Concert, held in Victoria Concert Hall on July 19 and the In Your Community Concert, held in Anglo-Chinese School (Independent) on July 21. The premier orchestra will also be making its way to the Singapore Botanic Gardens for the  Symphony in the Gardens Concert on July 22 where you can enjoy an evening of chamber music under the stars.

Related: Be entranced by magical Candlelight Concerts

August kicks off with Seika Ishida’s performance of Chopin on the 4th and 5th at Victoria Concert Hall. After receiving much acclaim during her debut with the SSO in 2022, the award-winning pianist from Japan is back to perform Chopin’s Piano Concerto No. 2, a piece that showcases her exceptional mastery of the keyboard. SSO Music Director, Hans Graf, leads listeners on a musical voyage, traversing the realms of Ishida’s youthful artistry to the expanse of Schubertian Romantic grandeur. Under his guidance, the orchestra presents the Great Symphony, a timeless opus.

The highly-anticipated National Day Concert is set to take place at the Esplanade Concert Hall on August 13. The celebration of Singapore’s musical identity showcases the talents of local composers who will debut their latest compositions and feature nostalgic tunes from Singapore’s pioneering composers.

The month of August also brings forth a unique collaboration between traditional pipe organ music and the dynamic electronic genre. Experience firsthand the electrifying synergy between youth organist Anne Maria Lim and electronic music master Benjamin Ang of Cosmic Armchair at Victoria Concert Hall on August 20. 

Classical musical fans can also look forward to solos featuring world-famous Israeli cellist Mischa Maisky in September, who will be performing one of the most revered cello concertos ever written – Saint-Saëns’s Cello Concerto No. 1. Also not to be missed is Greek violinist Leonidas Kavakos in October, who will be headlining a SSO Gala concert on the 13th and 14th, and putting up a solo recital on the 15th.

Make sure to mark your calendars and get ready to be whisked away to a world of enchantment. With their exceptional musicianship, SSO promises to captivate like never before. 

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