Auckland Philharmonia 2026 Season — Now on Sale!

Gil Shaham & Sheku Kanneh-Mason announced in stellar lineup for Auckland Phil 2026 season

Auckland Philharmonia announces its 2026 Season, the 11th under the leadership of Music Director Giordano Bellincampi. This ambitious season takes audiences on a thrilling musical journey through magnificent masterpieces, electrifying premieres and inventive collaborations, performed by world-renowned guest artists, local luminaries, and exciting rising talent.  

Global superstars Gil Shaham and Sheku Kanneh-Mason headline a stellar line-up of major international artists making New Zealand debuts in 2026, also including Eva Gevorgyan, Nodoka Okisawa, Anastasia Kobekina and Tomáš Netopil.They are joined by violinists James Ehnes, Benjamin Beilman and Ning Feng, conductors Karl-Heinz Steffens, Elena Schwarz and Samy Rachid, and pianist Alexander Gavrylyuk, who all make welcome returns. A special Matariki collaboration with Waiata Anthems, classic cinema with The Wizard of Oz, homegrown tamariki favourite Kiri and Lou, a blockbuster evening of iconic John Williams film music, and a glittering night of 80s music, also feature in this sensational new season. 

Sir Andrew Davis 2000x1300
Gil Shaham (Photo Credit: Chris Lee) | The New Zealand Herald Premier Series: Gil Shaham Plays Beethoven | Saturday 27 June 2026

Diana Weir, Auckland Philharmonia’s Chief Executive, says, "We're incredibly proud to bring some of the world's greatest soloists to New Zealand for the first time in 2026, and welcome back audience favourites, to perform with Auckland's orchestra. 

“Every year, we seek to delight our community and expand horizons through exciting artists and works from across the globe. From James Ehnes' return to play Mozart's Violin Concerto No.4, to Stéphane Denève’s debut appearance in a concert of John Williams' best-loved cinematic masterpieces, our 2026 Season is full of exceptional performances that cannot be missed. We are pleased to share this new season with our community as we connect, inspire, and enrich the lives of Aucklanders through music." 

2026 Season Brochure
Sir Andrew Davis 2000x1300
Sheku Kanneh-Mason (Photo Credit: Chris O’Donovan) | The New Zealand Herald Premier Series: Sheku Plays Elgar | Thursday 13 August 2026

I can't wait to showcase our talented musicians throughout this incredible season, performing with these exceptional international artists," says Music Director Giordano Bellincampi. “Opening with our brilliant friend Alexander Gavrylyuk playing Rachmaninov's Third Piano Concerto, a performance of Beethoven’s sublime Violin Concerto by the great Gil Shaham in June, through to the powerful sound of over 100 musicians performing Mahler’s First Symphony in November.  

I’m looking forward to many extraordinary highlights along the way, including leading our orchestra in Richard Strauss’ virtuosic suite, Le Bourgeois Gentilhomme, Beethoven’s spirited Symphony No.2, and American violinist Benjamin Beilman joining us for two unmissable performances, playing concertos by Mendelssohn and Nielsen. 

Another stand out for me in our 2026 Season is our wonderful Concertmaster Andrew Beer and Principal Cello Ashley Brown featured as soloists in Brahms’ Double Concerto. Together with our orchestra performing Brahms’ Academic Festival Overture and Symphony No.4, this concert will be an evening of sensational music and magnificent musicianship. 

2026 Subscription Packages
Sir Andrew Davis 2000x1300
Alexander Gavrylyuk | The New Zealand Herald Premier Series: Gavrylyuk & Rach 3 | Thursday 12 February 2026

The New Zealand Herald Premier Series

The New Zealand Herald Premier Series returns in 2026 with 12 concerts of masterworks, both familiar and fresh for discovery, featuring internationally acclaimed soloists and conductors. 

The 2026 series invites audiences to rediscover the magic of major symphonic repertoire by Dvořák, Ravel, Mendelssohn, Sibelius and Saint-Saëns, as well as the New Zealand premiere of Guillaume Connesson’s Cosmic Trilogy and Auckland Phil’s first performance of Kalinnikov’s First Symphony, Prokofiev’s Cinderella and the full ballet score of Bartók’s The Wooden Prince. This is complemented by music from leading New Zealand composers Michael Norris, Douglas Lilburn, Maria Grenfell and Brigid Ursula Bisley.  

Auckland Philharmonia brings some of the world’s most esteemed artists to the Auckland Town Hall stage in 2026, many for their debuts in the region. Sensational British cellist Sheku Kanneh-Mason makes his New Zealand debut in 2026, the Auckland Phil his only stop in the country on his Australasian tour. Kanneh-Mason won BBC’s Young Musician of the Year, was Artist-in-Residence at the New York Philharmonic and played at the wedding of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle. Seeing him perform Elgar’s exquisite Cello Concerto will be a pinnacle of the programme.  

Also performing in New Zealand for the first time in 2026 is globally sought-after American violinist, Gil Shaham, playing Beethoven’s towering Violin Concerto. One of the foremost violinists of our time, Shaham is a Grammy Award-winner and was named Musical America’s ‘Instrumentalist of the Year’.  

Exciting rising conductor Nodoka Okisawa makes her Aotearoa debut, leading the Auckland Phil in a mighty programme that includes Saint-Saëns famous Organ Symphony. Other renowned artists making their debuts in The New Zealand Herald Premier Series include sensational pianist Eva Gevorgyan, performing in New Zealand for the first time in 2026, and outstanding pianists Christian Ihle Hadland and 17-year-old Sophia Liu, who will make their Australasian debuts. 

Outstanding artists also returning in 2026 include conductors Karl-Heinz Steffens, Elena Schwarz and Samy Rachid, pianists Alexander Gavrylyuk and Andrea Lam, and violinist Ning Feng (2005 winner of the Michael Hill International Violin Competition). We are also thrilled to feature talented Kiwi soloists Sylvia Jiang, Amalia Hall, organist Nicholas Forbes, and the Philharmonia’s own Principal Trumpet Huw Dann. 

Series at a glance
Sir Andrew Davis 2000x1300
Nodoka Okisawa (Photo Credit: Felix Broede) | The New Zealand Herald Premier Series: Organ Symphony | Thursday 3 September 2026

Classic Series

The Classic Series of five concerts showcases best-loved masterpieces, such as Mozart’s Symphony No.35, Beethoven’s Symphony No.2 and Ravel’s orchestration of Mussorgsky’s Pictures at an Exhibition 

Coming off two exquisite performances in 2025, acclaimed Canadian violinist, James Ehnes, celebrates his 50th birthday season and returns to the Auckland Phil in 2026 to perform Mozart’s sparkling Fourth Concerto.  

In 2026, the Classic Series features rising Austrian trumpet player Selina Ott performing Haydn’s Trumpet Concerto for her Australasian debut, led by Czech conductor Tomáš Netopil, who makes his Aotearoa debut. Cellist Anastasia Kobekina also makes her New Zealand debut, her final stop on a tour of the region following performances with the Sydney Symphony Orchestra.   

Superb young American violinist Benjamin Beilman will make a welcome return for two performances, one in each mainstage series, performing great concertos by Mendelssohn and Nielsen. 

Opening the series in February, and sure to be a highlight, will be Concertmaster Andrew Beer and Principal Cello Ashley Brown as featured soloists performing Brahms’ Double Concerto, in an all-Brahms programme, led by master Brahms interpreter Giordano Bellincampi. 

Series at a glance
Sir Andrew Davis 2000x1300
James Ehnes (Photo Credit: Ben Ealovega) | Classic Series: Ehnes Plays Mozart | Thursday 14 May 2026

Opera in Concert

A beloved opera across the globe, July’s Opera in Concert production of Puccini’s Madama Butterfly will be one of the must-see events of the season.  

Under the baton of Giordano Bellincampi, the orchestra and a superb cast will bring this profound story of passion, forsaken love and tragedy to life. Stunning soprano Erika Grimaldi returns to sing Puccini’s most tragic heroine, while Gaston Rivero makes his New Zealand debut as Pinkerton, one of his signature roles. Also making a welcome return is baritone Richard Šveda, as Sharpless, Kiwi Katie Trigg as Kate Pinkerton, and mezzo-soprano Elisabeth Jansson takes on the role of Suzuki in her Aotearoa debut.  

Madama Butterfly
Sir Andrew Davis 2000x1300
Erika Grimaldi (Photo Credit: Victor Santiago) | Opera in Concert: Madama Butterfly | Saturday 25 July 2026

2026 Michael Hill International Violin Competition Grand Finale  

In June, Auckland Philharmonia proudly hosts the Grand Finale of the Michael Hill International Violin Competition, New Zealand’s lauded global music competition that celebrates 25 years in 2026. Since its inception, Auckland Philharmonia has been the proud exclusive orchestral partner of the competition. The competition’s top three finalists will perform in the prestigious Grand Finale with Auckland Philharmonia, under the baton of Alan Buribayev, in the Auckland Town Hall.

Exciting Collaborations and Iconic Movie Music

Described as “one of the greatest composers in film” by The Guardian, multi-award-winning American composer John Williams has written music for over 100 films during his extraordinary 70-year career, including some of our most memorable and beloved blockbusters. 

From alien encounters and galaxies far, far away, to man-eating monsters and the wizarding world, The Magic of John Williams concert will be an electrifying evening of music celebrating this legendary film composer. Superstar French conductor Stéphane Denève, a close friend and collaborator of John Williams, will lead the Auckland Phil in some of John Williams’ greatest works in full, symphonic splendour, and share his personal insights and anecdotes from the podium. 

There’s no place like the Auckland Phil for unforgettable film with live orchestra experiences, and this season is no exception. Join Dorothy and her dog Toto as they are whisked away to the magical Land of Oz in Auckland Philharmonia’s The Wizard of Oz Live in Concert. Be swept up by timeless melodies like ‘Somewhere Over the Rainbow’ and ‘The Merry Old Land of Oz’ as the Auckland Phil performs Harold Arlen's iconic score live in sync with the classic, fully remastered 1939 film. 

Celebrate Matariki at Waiata Anthems in Concert, a unique collaboration that brings together te reo Māori versions of treasured Kiwi songs with the powerful sound of the Auckland Philharmonia. In 2019, Waiata Anthems debuted at No.1 in the NZ Music Charts — the first 100% reo Māori album to do so — and spent 16 weeks in the NZ Top 40. Experience the original songs from this multi award-winning album, as Auckland Philharmonia and the next generation of Aotearoa’s up-and-coming vocal artists pay tribute to the album that helped start a movement. With a set list that includes Tami Neilson’s ‘Roimata/Cry Myself to Sleep’, Stan Walker’s ‘Tēnā Rā Koe/Thank You’, Drax Project’s ‘I Moeroa/Woke Up Late’, and many others, this will be a magical Matariki celebration to remember.  

Shoulder pads, synth and the symphony collide at the Back to the 80s concert – the ultimate retro party night of the decade’s greatest dance classics and power ballads, arranged for a full symphony orchestra. With incredible guest vocalists performing music by legendary 80s stars, this will be a power-packed evening with the Auckland Phil. Featured hits include Madonna’s ‘Material Girl’, Huey Lewis’ ‘The Power of Love’, Cyndi Lauper’s ‘Time After Time’, Robert Palmer’s ‘Addicted to Love’ and much more, orchestrated by Grammy winner Jeff Tyzik. Prepare your power-suits and perms, this is a musical vol-au-vent that’s not to be missed. 

Special Events Package
Sir Andrew Davis 2000x1300
The Wizard of Oz Live in Concert | Friday 8 May 2026 & Saturday 9 May 2026

Fantabulous Family Concerts

In 2026, the Auckland Phil brings one of Aotearoa’s favourite children's TV shows to life on stage. The award-winning animated series, Kiri and Lou, follows the adventures of two prehistoric creatures in an Aotearoa forest, Kiri (voiced by Liv Tennet) and Lou (by Jemaine Clement), as they explore the world of feelings through laughter, song and play.  

Kiri and Lou in Concert features Auckland Philharmonia performing a selection of delightful 

songs from the TV show, reimagined for an orchestra, alongside stunning stop-motion visuals from the episodes. Presented by Liv Tennet, this concert is a new collaborative endeavour between Auckland Phil, Orchestra Wellington and Christchurch Symphony Orchestra, and is sure to delight preschool and primary-aged tamariki and their grown-ups. 

Highlights from Learn & Participate events in 2026 include the Tunes 4 Tamariki series of interactive one-hour concerts specially designed for under-sixes. Discover a fantabulous world where each creature plays its part in perfect harmony at Tunes 4 Tamariki: The Fantabulous Animal Orchestra.  This animal-themed concert will roar with orchestral pieces about creatures and critters alongside a musical adaptation of Kiwi author Donovan Bixley’s sumptuous new children’s story, paired with projected colourful illustrations and narration from the author himself. At the end of the year, the series celebrates the festive season with a fun-filled Christmas extravaganza show, Tunes 4 Tamariki: Kirihimete. Both concerts offer free pre-concert children's activities to get into the spirit — including arts and crafts, facepainting, instrument show & tells, and more! 

Next year, the Community Classics Series is At the Movies with three concerts across Tāmaki Makaurau celebrating film music. Auckland Phil musicians, plus some special guest artists, will perform extracts from memorable movie soundtracks, including The Piano, The King’s Speech and The Lord of the Rings. These uplifting afternoons for the whole whānau are a special opportunity to see Auckland’s orchestra perform familiar orchestral music in a relaxed setting. 

In March, the popular In Your Neighbourhood series returns with a concert featuring Principal Cello Ashley Brown and fellow String Section Principals playing works by Beethoven, Ravel and New Zealand composer John Psathas. Then in September, Principal Flute Melanie Lançon leads a programme that showcases the virtuosity of the flute alongside the richness of strings, including the harp. This concert series is proudly supported by Davis Funeral Care.   

A full slate of exciting community and education activity from our Learn & Participate department will be announced soon. 

Community & Family Subscription Package
Sir Andrew Davis 2000x1300
Tunes 4 Tamariki: The Fantabulous Animal Orchestra | Saturday 28 March, Bruce Mason Centre | Sunday 12 April, Auckland Town Hall

Christmas Cheer in the City

December in Auckland is a wonderful time of year, filled with happy traditions – pōhutukawas, pine trees, presents, pavlova and Christmas Cheer, Auckland Phil’s Christmas concert. Celebrate the season with a musical sleigh ride through some timeless orchestral classics and festive melodies, in the grandeur of Auckland Town Hall. We’ll be joined by some special guest artists and our favourite Graduate Choir New Zealand for a generous helping of traditional Christmas carols and holiday harmonies. 

How to book

Tickets for Auckland Philharmonia’s 2026 Season are now on sale at aucklandphil.nz. Book now to enjoy subscriber benefits, including best seats, savings on individual ticket prices and no booking fees.

Subscribe & Save
Subscribe to our newsletter
Signup for our newsletter to get the latest news, events and offers from AKL PHIL

Buy Tickets

Book with Auckland Philharmonia and save at least 10% off public ticket prices and avoid booking fees.
Book with Akl Phil
Please note: In Your Neighbourhood, Baroque & Beyond, Tunes 4 Tamariki, Masterclasses and Stardome events are not available via Ticketmaster.
Book with Ticketmaster
magnifiercross