SZSO music director Lin Daye unveils the orchestra's new season at Shenzhen Concert Hall on Friday. Photos courtesy of SZSO

Just before wielding his baton over Puccini’s “La Bohemia” at the closing concert of Shenzhen Symphony Orchestra’s (SZSO) 26th season, music director Lin Daye officially announced the programs for the orchestra’s 27th season. 

Titled “Renewal, Impact” (煥?響), the new season will launch this September and span 10 months, featuring collaborations with renowned masters and rising stars, offering over 20 high-caliber concerts at accessible ticket prices.

Lin shared with media and fans, “In the new season, we aim to broaden our horizons and refine our artistry to make a greater impact both globally and in the lives of Shenzhen’s citizens.”

For the first time in its history, SZSO will offer 45% of tickets at the base price of 80 yuan (US$11) and 40% between 180-280 yuan, making concerts more affordable than ever.

Tan Dun (L) and soprano Zhang Meigui.

Esteemed composer and conductor Tan Dun returns as principal guest conductor, while acclaimed soprano Zhang Meigui, known for her roles in classical opera and Mahler symphonies, will be the featured soloist.

SZSO plans to begin recording Brahms’ complete symphonies with NCPA Classics next year and continue its collaboration with Pacific Audio and Video Co. to record Mahler’s “Ninth Symphony” live at Guangzhou’s Xinghai Concert Hall — an important milestone in their ongoing Mahler symphony project.

Shenzhen Symphony Orchestra.

Lin also outlined plans to bring more classical opera to local audiences through concert versions. This season will present Mascagni’s “Rustic Chivalry” and Leoncavallo’s “Pagliacci.” 

Over five years, SZSO aims to build a broad opera repertoire spanning Mozart’s “Don Giovanni” to Puccini’s “Tosca” and “Gianni Schicchi,” offering audience members rich operatic experiences and providing vocal talents with classical roles.

Alongside opera, the orchestra will commission new original works and tour Japan this November with violinist Ning Feng, flutist Zhang Qiao, and Japanese harpist Kazuko Shinozaki.

Program highlights for the new season

Opening concert 

Sept. 5, 2025 Under Lin Daye’s baton, young violinist Lin Ruifeng will give the Chinese premiere of Alexey Shor’s “Violin Concerto in B Minor.” The second half features charismatic concertmaster Lorenz Nasturica-Herschcowici in Shostakovich’s “Symphony No. 7 “Leningrad.”

Glamour of masters

Marc-André Hamelin (L) and conductor Yu Long.

Sept. 26, 2025 Canadian piano virtuoso Marc-André Hamelin performs Ravel’s “Piano Concerto in G Major” and “Piano Concerto for the Left Hand,” followed by Berlioz’s dynamic “Symphonie Fantastique.”

May 16, 2026 Maestro Yu Long returns to conduct pianist Kyohei Sorita in Beethoven’s “Piano Concerto No. 3 in C Minor.” Soprano Zhang Meigui will be featured in Mahler’s sublime “Symphony No. 4” finale.

May 22, 2026 Lin Daye conducts violinist Viktoria Mullova in Shostakovich’s passionate “Violin Concerto No. 1 in A Minor” and Mahler’s expansive “Symphony No. 9.”

Tribute to Shostakovich

The new season commemorates the 50th anniversary of Shostakovich’s passing with multiple concerts:

(From L) Sergey Smbatyan, Zhang Guoyong and Christian Ehwald.

Oct. 17, 2025 Christian Ehwald conducts violinist Tamsin Waley-Cohen in “Chamber Symphony in C Minor” and “Symphony No. 6 in B Minor.”

Jan. 30, 2026 Sergey Smbatyan leads violinist Wang Zhijiong in the challenging “Violin Concerto No. 2 in C-Sharp Minor.”

April 10, 2026 Zhang Guoyong conducts violinist Yang Tianwa as concertmaster in the monumental “Symphony No. 11 in G Minor.”

Diverse styles and flavors

(From L) Tang Junqiao, Gao Bai and Lin Zhe.

Nov. 28, 2025 Chen Lin conducts percussionist Lin Zhe in Guo Ming’s Chinese-flavored “Bamboo Sea Whispers.” The program also includes Bartók’s folk-inspired “Concerto for Orchestra.”

March 3, 2026 Liu Sha conducts a crossover Lantern Festival concert featuring flutist Tang Junqiao and erhu player Gao Bai, presenting festive tunes like “Hanging Red Lanterns” and “Cantonese Music Suite.”

July 3, 2026 Composer/conductor/pianist Bright Sheng leads excerpts from his opera “Dream of the Red Chamber” and premieres his new symphonic work “Mountains and Rivers” (working title).

July 17, 2026 Young conductor Li Haoran presents concert versions of “Rustic Chivalry” and “Pagliacci,” conveying the fiery passion of Italian opera.

New Year’s Concert 

Dec. 31, 2025 Young conductor Jin Yukuang, soprano Zhang Meigui, pianist An Tianxu, violinist Zhao Mengchan, and others will ring in the New Year with a gala featuring Bernstein hits, Gershwin jazz classics, and lively Latin dances.