The Manila Symphony Orchestra (MSO) proudly ushers in its Centennial Year in 2026, marking 100 years of musical excellence, cultural legacy, and artistic leadership in the Philippines. Presented by the Manila Symphony Orchestra Foundation Inc. and Standard Insurance, the milestone season, titled In Pursuit of Excellence: The Manila Symphony Orchestra at 100 (1926–2026), brings together world-class musicians, celebrated Filipino artists, and landmark performances that honor the orchestra’s past while looking boldly toward its future. As the country’s longest-running orchestra, the MSO continues its mission of advancing classical music through performance, education, and community engagement.
The MSO Centennial Concert Series opens on March 13 to 15, 2026, at the Aliw Theater with a grand production of Tchaikovsky’s The Sleeping Beauty, featuring Ballet Manila under the baton of internationally acclaimed Russian conductor Alexander Vikulov. This spectacular collaboration blends lush orchestration, classical choreography, and visual splendor, setting a majestic tone for the orchestra’s 100th year celebration. Ballet Manila, renowned for its artistic excellence and educational mission, brings the fairy-tale masterpiece to life in a performance that promises to captivate audiences.
On May 30, 2026, the spotlight turns to the next generation of musical excellence in Rising Stars of the Philippines, to be held at the Proscenium Theatre in Rockwell, Makati. Featuring violinist Jeanne Rafaella Marquez, cellist Damodar Das Castillo, and Venezuelan conductor Joshua Dos Santos, the concert highlights youthful brilliance through works including Brahms’ Double Concerto in A minor. Supported by Standard Insurance, the evening celebrates both tradition and the promise of new artistic horizons, showcasing Filipino musicians who continue to gain recognition on the international stage.
The centennial season continues on July 4, 2026, at the Manila Metropolitan Theater with Symphony of a Nation: 100 Years of Music, 80 Years of Fil-Am Friendship. Featuring violinist Emanuel John Villarin and conducted by Thanos Adamopoulos, the concert traces the evolution of Philippine symphonic music from its roots to its contemporary voice. Through some of the nation’s most stirring orchestral works, the program paints a musical portrait of Filipino identity shaped by a century of creativity and cultural exchange.
On August 29, 2026, the FEU Auditorium hosts Legacies in Song: MSO’s 100 Years and the Voice of Conching Rosal, an evening dedicated to the enduring union of voice and orchestra. Featuring soprano Rachelle Gerodias-Park, mezzo-soprano Michelle Mariposa, baritone Byeong In Park, and conductor Marlon Chen, the program includes excerpts from Bizet’s Carmen and other operatic favorites. This concert honors the MSO’s rich legacy in vocal music, celebrating a century of passion, drama, and lyrical artistry.
The grand finale of the 2026 concert season takes place on October 24, 2026, at Hyundai Hall, Areté, Ateneo de Manila University, with Philippine Master Composers, Past, Present, and Future. Conducted by Marlon Chen, the historic concert features the world premiere of a new work by National Artist Ryan Cayabyab, alongside masterpieces by other iconic Filipino composers. The program unites generations of musical brilliance in a resounding tribute to the nation’s creative heritage and its vibrant future.
The MSO Centennial Celebration culminates in January 2027 with the MSO 100 Centennial Finale, presented in partnership with UNICEF. Featuring internationally acclaimed Franco-Belgian cellist Camille Thomas and conducted by Marlon Chen, the closing concert reflects both gratitude for the orchestra’s storied past and hope for the next century of music-making. Through this landmark season, the Manila Symphony Orchestra reaffirms its enduring mission to inspire, uplift, and serve communities through the universal language of music. Programs, artists, dates, and venues are subject to change.
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