Singapore and Shanghai Symphonies announce 2026 artistic partnership
In reciprocal visits, the Shanghai Symphony led by Long Yu will make its Singapore debut in March 2026, while the Singapore Symphony will perform in Shanghai in October 2026 under the baton of Hannu Lintu.
Singapore, 16 October 2025 – The Singapore and Shanghai Symphony Orchestras have signed an agreement for artistic partnership and will present each other in reciprocal performances in March and October 2026. Meanwhile, with the launch of SG Culture Pass, most Singapore Symphony Orchestra (SSO) concerts are now available for redemption, including Hannu Lintu's first concert as SSO Music Director-designate.
SINGAPORE AND SHANGHAI SMYPHONIES INK 2026 PARTNERSHIP AGREEMENT
To promote mutual cultural understanding and creative collaboration, the two orchestras have committed to inviting each other for reciprocal concerts in both Singapore and Shanghai next year. The agreement was signed on 15 October 2025 by Singapore Symphony Group (SSG) CEO Mr Kenneth Kwok and Shanghai Symphony Orchestra President Ms Fedina Zhou at the 6th Singapore-Shanghai Comprehensive Cooperation Council (SSCCC) meeting in Shanghai. The meeting was co-chaired by Singapore Minister for Law and Second Minister for Home Affairs Edwin Tong and Shanghai Mayor Gong Zheng. Vice Co-Chairmen Singapore Senior Minister of State for Trade and Industry & Culture, Community and Youth Low Yen Ling, and Shanghai Vice Mayor Xie Dong were also present.
SSG CEO Kenneth Kwok said, "It is incredibly special to host the Shanghai Symphony Orchestra here in its Singapore debut, and for the Singapore Symphony to return to Shanghai in concert after 19 years. We are proud to deepen the enduring ties between our cities, showcase our distinctive cultures through music, and create artistic dialogue that audiences on both sides can enjoy."
Shanghai Symphony makes Singapore debut
Asia's oldest orchestra - the Shanghai Symphony Orchestra - will make its long-awaited Singapore debut on 23 March 2026, at the Esplanade Concert Hall. This performance is presented by the Singapore Symphony and will be part of a regional tour with stops in Australia and New Zealand.
Popularly known for their Oscar and Grammy-winning performance on the Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon soundtrack, the Shanghai Symphony will present concert hall favourites such as Tchaikovsky's Piano Concerto No. 1 with soloist Serena Wang, and Rachmaninoff's Second Symphony, alongside selections from Chinese Kitchen: A Feast of Flavours by Elliot Leung - a vibrant ten-movement suite inspired by traditional Chinese dishes. The concert will be conducted by Shanghai Symphony's Music Director Long Yu.
Tickets are on sale now.
Singapore Symphony returns to Shanghai for the first time since 2007
The Singapore Symphony Orchestra will make its first return to Shanghai since 2007, performing at the Jaguar Shanghai Symphony Hall on 13 October 2026. It will be conducted by Maestro Hannu Lintu, who officially begins his tenure as Music Director from the orchestra's 2026/27 season, and joined by violinist Chloe Chua.
This concert will be part of a larger China tour and follows on from recent sold-out overseas visits - the orchestra's Australia debut in February 2025 and Kyoto Concert Hall performances in October 2024 - reflecting the orchestra's continued drive for artistic excellence and international impact.
Ticketing and tour details will be announced in due course.
REDEEM SSO CONCERT TICKETS WITH SG CULTURE PASS
SG Culture Pass credits can be used to offset ticket costs to various arts programms, including most Singapore Symphony concerts, such as the following listed below:
Hannu Lintu's first concert as Music Director-designate
SSO Gala: Hannu Lintu conducts Nelson Mass + Mahler 4 (14 & 15 Nov 2025)
- Music Director-designate Hannu Lintu leads the SSO, Singapore Symphony Chorus and Youth Choir, as well as vocal soloists Hera Hyesang Park, Virginie Verrez, Elgan Llŷr Thomas and Edward Grint in two masterworks - Haydn's Missa in angustiis (popular known as the Nelson Mass) and Mahler's Fourth Symphony.
Elevating Singaporean talents
SG60: Stephen Hough Piano Concerto + Saint-Saëns Organ Symphony (7 Nov 2025)
- Singaporean organist Isaac Lee takes the spotlight in Saint-Saëns’s Organ Symphony under the baton of Associate Conductor Rodolfo Barráez. This evening also features British pianist Sir Stephen Hough performing the Asian Premiere of his own piano concerto - The World of Yesterday.
SG60: Hans Graf & Churen Li (19 Dec 2025)
- The last SSO concert of 2025 brings together two of Singapore's brightest classical music talents, as Churen Li performs the World Premiere of Jonathan Shin's Piano Concerto. It will be paired with Shostakovich's titanic Tenth Symphony, under the direction of Quantedge Music Director Hans Graf.
A season of musical celebration
SG60: SNYO 45th Anniversary Gala (6 Dec 2025)
- Join the young musicians of the Singapore National Youth Orchestra (SNYO) in commemorating a major milestone. Led by Music Director Joshua Tan, and fellow conductors Darrell Ang, Robert Casteels and Leonard Tan, they will take on an ambitious programme featuring music by Glinka, Ravel, Fauré and Beethoven.
Temasek Foundation x SSO Christmas Concert (12 & 13 Dec 2025)
- Get into the festive spirit with the Singapore Symphony family. A classic and heartwarming programme led by Associate Conductor Rodolfo Barráez, be prepared to sing along to familiar tunes such as We Wish You A Merry Cristmas, Sleigh Ride, Rudoph the Rednosed Reindeer and many more.
For more information, visit sso.org.sg.
Press Kit
SG Culture Pass
Shanghai Symphony Orchestra In Concert
Shanghai Symphony Orchestra / Long Yu, Music Director / Serena Wang, piano
Mon / 23 Mar 26 / 7.30pm
Esplanade Concert Hall
The Shanghai Symphony Orchestra is Asia’s oldest orchestra and a driving force in shaping China’s classical music landscape across three centuries. Led by its Music Director Long Yu, the Shanghai Symphony makes its Singapore debut with this sumptuous programme pairing Rachmaninoff’s magnificent Second Symphony with the talents of two young Chinese stars: a delectable offering of dishes from Chinese Kitchen: A Feast of Flavours by prolific composer Elliot Leung; and acclaimed pianist Serena Wang who stars in Tchaikovsky’s electrifying Piano Concerto No. 1.
FeaturingShanghai Symphony Orchestra / Long Yu, Music Director / Serena Wang, piano
Programme| Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky (Tchaikovsky) | Piano Concerto No. 1 in B-flat minor, Op. 23* |
|---|---|
| Sergei Rachmaninoff (Rachmaninoff) | Symphony No. 2 in E minor, Op. 27 |
| Elliot Leung | Selections from Chinese Kitchen: A Feast of Flavours |
$150, $100, $80, $60, $45, $30
Hannu Lintu conducts Nelson Mass + Mahler 4
Singapore Symphony Orchestra / Singapore Symphony Chorus / Singapore Symphony Youth Choir / Hannu Lintu, Music Director-designate / Eudenice Palaruan, Choral Director / Wong Lai Foon, Choirmaster / Hera Hyesang Park, soprano / Virginie Verrez, mezzo-soprano / Elgan Llŷr Thomas, tenor / Edward Grint, bass baritone
Fri / 14 Nov 25 / 7.30pm
Sat / 15 Nov 25 / 7.30pm
Esplanade Concert Hall
Hannu Lintu, preeminent Finnish conductor and the Singapore Symphony Orchestra’s Music Director-designate returns to lead the SSO and our Choruses in two masterworks with a vital role for voice. A hundred years separate Haydn’s Missa in angustiis and Mahler’s Fourth Symphony: one, a mass written in troubled times that gives way to victory and hope, earning its dignified epithet Nelson Mass; the other, Mahler’s evocative musings on paradise, leading to a child’s vision of heaven.
In celebration of the Singapore Symphony Choruses' anniversaries. Learn more.
FeaturingSingapore Symphony Orchestra / Singapore Symphony Chorus / Singapore Symphony Youth Choir / Hannu Lintu, Music Director-designate / Eudenice Palaruan, Choral Director / Wong Lai Foon, Choirmaster / Hera Hyesang Park, soprano / Virginie Verrez, mezzo-soprano / Elgan Llŷr Thomas, tenor / Edward Grint, bass baritone
Programme| Joseph Haydn (Haydn) | Missa in angustiis – Nelson Mass |
|---|---|
| Gustav Mahler (Mahler) | Symphony No. 4 in G major |
$168, $138, $108, $78, $58, $38
Stephen Hough Piano Concerto + Saint-Saëns Organ Symphony
Singapore Symphony Orchestra / Rodolfo Barráez, Associate Conductor / Stephen Hough, piano / Isaac Lee, organ
Fri / 07 Nov 25 / 7.30pm
Esplanade Concert Hall
The Singapore Symphony welcomes celebrated British pianist Sir Stephen Hough in the Asian premiere of his own piano concerto – The World of Yesterday, an instantly appealing work infused with wistful nostalgia and intoxicating waltz, with a terrific finish. Conducted by SSO Associate Conductor Rodolfo Barráez, this attractive programme also features Singaporean organist Isaac Lee, joining the SSO in Saint-Saëns’s Organ Symphony. Equal parts tranquillity and majesty, it’s the finest example of what a massive pipe organ joining the ranks of a symphony orchestra can achieve together.
FeaturingSingapore Symphony Orchestra / Rodolfo Barráez, Associate Conductor / Stephen Hough, piano / Isaac Lee, organ
Programme| Emil von Reznicek (Reznicek) | Overture to Donna Diana |
|---|---|
| Stephen Hough (Hough) | Piano Concerto – The World of Yesterday |
| Camille Saint-Saëns (Saint-Saëns) | Symphony No. 3 in C minor, Op. 78 “Organ” |
$100, $75, $55, $40, $30, $15
Hans Graf & Churen Li
Singapore Symphony Orchestra / Hans Graf, Quantedge Music Director / Churen Li, piano
Fri / 19 Dec 25 / 7.30pm
Esplanade Concert Hall
Update: Please note that the opening work will be Glinka's Valse-fantasie instead of Stravinsky's Suite No. 2.
A Singaporean piano concerto played by a Singaporean – the SSO proudly presents the world premiere of Jonathan Shin’s Piano Concerto (an SSO commission) starring pianist Churen Li, both award-winning household names in our classical music scene. Conducted by Hans Graf, the programme also features Shostakovich’s titanic Tenth Symphony, a massive saga of gloom and terror that sends listeners hurtling to its victorious conclusion.
FeaturingSingapore Symphony Orchestra / Hans Graf, Quantedge Music Director / Churen Li, piano
Programme| Mikhail Glinka (Glinka) | Valse-fantasie |
|---|---|
| Jonathan Shin | Piano Concerto* |
| Dmitri Shostakovich (Shostakovich) | Symphony No. 10 in E minor, Op. 93 |
$100, $75, $55, $40, $30, $15
SNYO 45ᵗʰ Anniversary Gala
Singapore National Youth Orchestra / Joshua Tan, SNYO Music Director / Darrell Ang, conductor / Robert Casteels, conductor / Leonard Tan, conductor / Jacob Cheng, violin
Sat / 06 Dec 25 / 4.30pm
Victoria Concert Hall
The Singapore National Youth Orchestra celebrates 45 years of music-making with a colourful programme showcasing its all-round versatility, from vigorous Glinka to witty Rossini to melancholy Fauré. This gala event conducted by SNYO Music Director Joshua Tan and past conductors also stars SNYO Concerto Competition Winner Jacob Cheng in Ravel's fiery Tzigane, before finishing with Beethoven's Fifth.
Watch SNYO's anniversary video
FeaturingSingapore National Youth Orchestra / Joshua Tan, SNYO Music Director / Darrell Ang, conductor / Robert Casteels, conductor / Leonard Tan, conductor / Jacob Cheng, violin
Programme| Mikhail Glinka (Glinka) | Ruslan and Ludmilla - Overture |
|---|---|
| Gioachino Rossini (Rossini) | The Thieving Magpie - Overture |
| Gabriel Fauré (Fauré) | Pelléas et Mélisande, Op. 80 |
| Maurice Ravel (Ravel) | Tzigane |
| Ludwig van Beethoven (Beethoven) | Symphony No. 5 in C minor, Op. 67 |
$45, $35, $25, $20
SSO Christmas Concert
Singapore Symphony Orchestra / Singapore Symphony Chorus / Singapore Symphony Youth Choir / Singapore Symphony Children’s Choir / Rodolfo Barráez, Associate Conductor / Eudenice Palaruan, Choral Director / Wong Lai Foon, Choirmaster
Fri / 12 Dec 25 / 7.30pm
Sat / 13 Dec 25 / 7.30pm
Esplanade Concert Hall
It's that wonderful time of the year again as the Singapore Symphony family dresses up the stage for the holidays. Join us in this classic and heartwarming programme for the Christmas season – be prepared to sing along!
In celebration of the Singapore Symphony Choruses' anniversaries. Learn more.
FeaturingSingapore Symphony Orchestra / Singapore Symphony Chorus / Singapore Symphony Youth Choir / Singapore Symphony Children’s Choir / Rodolfo Barráez, Associate Conductor / Eudenice Palaruan, Choral Director / Wong Lai Foon, Choirmaster
Programme| Leroy Anderson | A Christmas Festival |
|---|---|
| Irving Berlin | White Christmas |
| Katherine Davis | Little Bolero Boy |
| Johnny Marks | Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer |
| Mel Tormé (Tormé) | The Christmas Song (Chestnuts Roasting on an Open Fire) |
| Mykola Leontovych (Leontovych) | Carol of the Bells |
| Leroy Anderson | Sleigh Ride |
| John Williams | Three Holiday Songs from Home Alone |
| Emil Waldteufel (Waldteufel) | Skater’s Waltz |
| Jule Styne (Styne) | Let It Snow! Let It Snow! Let It Snow! |
| Franz Xaver Gruber (Gruber) | Silent Night |
| Various Composers | Holiday Moods |
| Anonymous | We Wish You A Merry Christmas |
$228, $168, $108, $88, $68, $48
ABOUT THE SINGAPORE SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA
Founded in 1979, the Singapore Symphony Orchestra (SSO) is Singapore’s flagship orchestra, touching lives through classical music and providing the heartbeat of the cultural scene. In addition to its subscription series concerts, the SSO is also known for its outdoor and community appearances. The orchestra also presents intimate chamber performances in the SSO Chamber Series and SSO Organ Series, the annual Singapore International Piano Festival (SIPF) and the biennial National Piano and Violin Competition (NPVC) at the Victoria Concert Hall, Home of the SSO. The SSO is part of the Singapore Symphony Group, which also manages the Singapore Symphony Choruses, and the Singapore National Youth Orchestra. The Group’s vision is to be a leading arts organisation that engages, inspires and reflects Singapore through musical excellence. Our mission is to create memorable shared experiences with music. Through the SSO and its affiliated performing groups, we spread the love for music, nurture talent and enrich our diverse communities.
The Singapore Symphony Orchestra clinched third place in the prestigious Gramophone Orchestra of the Year Award 2021. In 2022, BBC Music Magazine named the SSO as one of the 21 best orchestras in the world.
Find out more about the Singapore Symphony Orchestra.
Follow the SSO on social media: Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, Xiaohongshu (RedNote).
ABOUT THE SINGAPORE SYMPHONY CHORUSES
United by a shared passion for music, the Singapore Symphony Choruses welcome voices of all ages into a dynamic community devoted to choral artistry. The Singapore Symphony Choruses – comprising the Singapore Symphony Chorus (SSC), Youth Choir (SSYC), and Children’s Choir (SSCC), offer singers of all ages a unique journey from training to world-class performance.
Rooted in holistic development, the Choruses cultivate artistry, discipline, and character while providing exceptional opportunities to perform major symphonic works with the Singapore Symphony Orchestra and collaborate with distinguished conductors, soloists, and orchestras.
Their diverse repertoire spans grand orchestral masterpieces and intimate a cappella works, ranging from Renaissance classics to contemporary compositions. This rich musical breadth ensures choristers experience a transformative journey, grounded in passion and excellence, setting the Singapore Symphony Choruses apart as a premier force in choral music.
Find out more about the Singapore Symphony Choruses.
ABOUT THE SINGAPORE NATIONAL YOUTH ORCHESTRA
The Singapore National Youth Orchestra (SNYO) showcases the extraordinary capability of our youth. It inspires them towards artistic excellence, nurtures them to reach beyond their potential and develops them through rigorous training within a vibrant, supportive, and diverse environment. Established formally in 1980, the SNYO has welcomed generations of youths into the transformative world of orchestral music, performing locally and representing Singapore on prestigious international stages.
The SNYO family comprises two orchestras: the Singapore National Youth Orchestra and Singapore National Youth Sinfonia, with over 180 members aged 10 to 24 from more than 60 schools across Singapore, guided by professional musicians in rehearsals, sectionals, and masterclasses. Recognised by the Ministry of Education as a National Project of Excellence, members of the SNYO have their participation in the orchestra recognised as a Co-Curricular Activity.
Music Director Joshua Tan has been leading the SNYO since 2018 while Associate Conductor Seow Yibin has been in position since 2022.
Over the years, SNYO has performed in concert venues and music festivals across Australia, Austria, China, Germany, Italy, Japan, Malaysia, and the United Kingdom. Other musical endeavours include collaborations with the Singapore Ballet, TwoSet Violin and side-by-side concerts with the Singapore Symphony Orchestra.
Find out more about the Singapore National Youth Orchestra.
For media enquiries, please contact:
Ong Shu Chen
Communications Lead, Singapore Symphony Group
E: shuchen.ong@sso.org.sg
M: +65 9636 5146
Elizabeth Low
Assistant Manager, Marketing Communications, Singapore Symphony Group
E: elizabeth.low@sso.org.sg
M: +65 9230 4868
Celine Tan
Assistant Account Director, Havas Play
E: celine.tansl@havas.com
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