Queensland Symphony Orchestra announces free 75th birthday concert

To celebrate this incredible milestone, QSO will do what they do best – stage a major concert event, and this time it’s free!

QSO’s 75th Birthday Concert will be held on Friday 19 August in the Concert Hall at 7.30pm. This special performance is presented in association with QPAC and supported by Brisbane City Council.

Minister for the Arts Leeanne Enoch invites Queenslanders to join Queensland Symphony Orchestra for this free anniversary concert.

“Queensland Symphony Orchestra has a long and proud record of enriching our lives through music,” Minister Enoch said. “This concert will be an exciting gift from Queensland Symphony Orchestra, presented to audiences as part of its 75th anniversary celebrations, and I encourage Queenslanders to embrace this opportunity to experience some musical magic performed by our world-class orchestra.

“The Queensland Government is proud of our ongoing investment in the company which helps Queensland Symphony Orchestra bring communities together through outstanding concerts, tours and memorable musical experiences,” the Minister said.

The concert will celebrate the history and the future of Queensland’s state orchestra, and will feature guest artists, interviews with musicians and historical imagery. A major highlight will be the wide range of music showcasing the Orchestra’s famed signature style of playing, from Tchaikovsky’s Swan Lake finale to Australian composer Sean O’Boyle’s Concerto for Didgeridoo performed by acclaimed First Nations didgeridoo player Chris Williams, all under the baton of conductor Guy Noble.

In addition, Principal Conductor and Artistic Adviser Johannes Fritzsch will lead a performance from QSO’s 2022 Young Instrumentalist prize winner, percussionist Chantel Chen, and will conduct Respighi’s mighty Pines of Rome: one of the greatest orchestral showpieces in the repertoire.

Lord Mayor Adrian Schrinner said Queensland Symphony Orchestra debuted in Brisbane 75 years ago and it was fitting to mark the anniversary with a local audience.

"Whether it's performing classic renditions or scores to films, Brisbane residents of all ages and interests have been enriched by the magic of the Queensland Symphony Orchestra," Cr Schrinner said. "Brisbane City Council is proud to support the Queensland Symphony Orchestra to celebrate this incredible milestone."

Tickets to the free concert are available from 10am on Tuesday 19 July at qso.com.au and are expected to reach capacity quickly.