The Hallé Orchestra unveils its blockbuster 2026/27 season

The world-renowned, Manchester-based Hallé Orchestra has unveiled its bold new 2026/27 season.

Building on the Hallé’s hugely successful 2025/26 season, which attracted record audiences, the orchestra continues to expand on its ambitious programming, with beloved classics sitting alongside exciting contemporary music, a stellar list of international soloists and conductors, and the Hallé’s first-ever Bollywood concert.

Now in his third season, Kahchun Wong continues his Mahler journey with the Hallé, this time embarking on Mahler’s epic Fifth Symphony. He also turns to familiar masterpieces, from Dvořák’s New World Symphony to Tchaikovsky’s Fifth, as well as premiering Symphony No.6 by Sir James MacMillan.

Speaking about the new season, Kahchun Wong says: “As I embark on my third incredible season with the Hallé, I continue to share the orchestra’s vision to welcome everybody, regardless of background or circumstances, to hear our music. Music brings us together, moves us and enriches our lives, and I look forward to seeing new and familiar faces in the audiences at my concerts with this great orchestra.”

Following a long and critically acclaimed relationship with the Hallé for over 30 years, Thomas Adès will become the orchestra’s Principal Guest Conductor. Thomas will conduct three concerts, which he has curated, including his own works, alongside premieres by Gabriella Smith and Francisco Coll and music by Stravinsky, Elgar, Berg, Chabrier and Gerald Barry.

Sir James MacMillan becomes the Hallé’s Featured Composer with the world premiere of his Symphony No.6, which will open the Halle’s 2026/27 season. Sir James is also at the heart of a new Easter Festival, including his deeply moving setting of Seven Last Words from the Cross with the BBC Singers, as well as Bach’s St John Passion with the Hallé Choir.

Sir Mark Elder continues in his role as Conductor Emeritus, with James MacMillan’s Christmas Oratorio, and a concert celebrating his 80th birthday, featuring the family of Hallé Choirs, while the winner of the 2026 Siemens Hallé International Conductors Competition, Aku Sorensen, begins his role as the Hallé’s Assistant Conductor and Music Director of the Hallé Youth Orchestra.

Elsewhere, the Hallé’s commitment to new and contemporary music invites the world’s finest composers to showcase their works, ensuring classical music continues to evolve and capture new audiences.

Throughout the 2026/27 season, the Hallé champions new commissions and contemporary music, with six world premieres by Sir James MacMillan, Ravel orchestrated by Composer Emeritus Colin Matthews, Steve Reich orchestrated by Anna Clyne, Gabriella Smith, John Casken and Priaulx Rainier and two UK premieres by Francisco Coll and Joan Tower.

David Butcher, Hallé Chief Executive, said: “It is a real joy to introduce another thrilling and bold season of music, and we are excited to bring our loyal and new audiences on this journey with us.

“We welcome some of the world’s most celebrated soloists and conductors to Manchester alongside our celebrated Principal Conductor Kahchun Wong, and some eye-catching new titled positions for Thomas Adès, Sir James MacMillan, and Leila Josefowicz. As our audiences continue to grow, so do our ambitions, and we can’t wait to welcome even more people to Manchester to experience the legendary Hallé sound.”

You can find more information about all of the Hallé’s newly announced concerts below.