Melbourne Symphony Orchestra to cancel and postpone all shows

The Melbourne Symphony Orchestra have released a statement regarding their approach to the newly implemented COVID-19 gathering ban:

In response to the ban imposed by the Victorian State Government, we regret that all MSO concerts between Monday 16 March and Monday 13 April, inclusive, will not proceed. Cancelled and rescheduled concerts are listed below.

We will, however, keep the music going. Beginning with tonight at 7pm, we invite you to join us on the MSO YouTube channel to enjoy a free live stream of our performance of Scheherazade. We are working to live stream additional performances over coming weeks and we look forward to performing for you digitally.

If you are a ticket holder to an upcoming concert(s) until 13 April, we will contact you via email in coming days.

If you hold a ticket to an MSO concert, instead of requesting a refund, we would ask you to consider donating the value of your ticket, to enable us to live stream more free events and continue the mission of the MSO, to enrich lives through music. Please email our Box Office at boxoffice@mso.com.au if you would prefer to do this and we thank you in advance if you choose to donate during this uncertain period.

Ensuring the wellbeing of MSO audiences, musicians and staff – including those integral members employed on casual and contract bases – is our priority. As a not-for-profit organisation, we are committed to ensuring the longevity and sustainability of the MSO and will continue to support workers and musicians through this uncertain period.

Note, with the temporary closure of Arts Centre Melbourne, our Hamer Hall Box Office will remain closed for now. Our Box Office can be contacted on (03) 9929 9600 (Mon-Fri, 10am-6pm) however we politely request enquiries be directed to boxoffice@mso.com.au where we can attend to them as quickly as possible. We will prioritise concerts in date order. We appreciate your patience and understanding.

If you hold MSO tickets purchased through one of our venues, please visit the relevant venue website for information on applicable refunds.

For updated advice and information from the Federal Department of Health, please click here.

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Cancelled concerts

• Scheherazade, 16 March (livestream tonight, 7pm)
• Beethoven & Mendelssohn, 19-20 March (livestream 19 March, time TBC)
• Jams for Juniors, 21 March
• Melbourne Ensemble, 22 March (livestream date/time TBC)
• Curriculum Concert (schools performance), 26 March (livestream date/time TBC)
• To Bach and Back, 26-27 March (livestream 26 March, time TBC)
• Peer Gynt, 6 April
• Metropolis, 8 April

Rescheduled concerts (replacement dates TBC)

• Ben Folds, 22 March
• Skyfall in Concert, 2-4 April