The Malaysian Philharmonic Orchestra (MPO) has kicked off 2026 with its 28th concert season, one that blends classical storytelling with cross-genre collaborations and crowd favourites. With programmes ranging from Verdi and Mozart to anime, film, and Broadway, the season reflects an orchestra constantly rethinking how it connects with audiences. We catch up with Gerard Salonga, the MPO’s Resident Conductor, to talk about the music, the musicians, and what makes this season such an exciting one to experience live.

The Malaysian Philharmonic Orchestra (MPO) has kicked off 2026 with its <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://www.mpo.com.my/season-2026">28th concert season</a>, one that blends classical storytelling with cross-genre collaborations and crowd favourites. With programmes ranging from Verdi and Mozart to anime, film, and Broadway, the season reflects an orchestra constantly rethinking how it connects with audiences. We catch up with Gerard Salonga, the MPO’s Resident Conductor, to talk about the music, the musicians, and what makes this season such an exciting one to experience live.

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The MPO in 2026: Music Across Generations and Genres

What happens to ordinary people when freedoms begin to narrow and uncertainty becomes part of everyday life? That is the question at the heart of No Particular Order, a dystopian play by Singaporean playwright Joel Tan. Told through shifting timelines and fragments of everyday lives, the play explores how people navigate fear, responsibility, and survival in a society that feels uncomfortably close to our own. The Malaysian premiere, presented by Theatresauce, places audiences inside an immersive world where the boundaries between observer and participant begin to blur. Joining us are two of the performers bringing this story to life, cast members Anne James and Kamini Senthilathiban.

What happens to ordinary people when freedoms begin to narrow and uncertainty becomes part of everyday life? That is the question at the heart of <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://www.cloudjoi.com/shows/no-particular-order-by-joel-tan">No Particular Order</a>, a dystopian play by Singaporean playwright Joel Tan. Told through shifting timelines and fragments of everyday lives, the play explores how people navigate fear, responsibility, and survival in a society that feels uncomfortably close to our own. The Malaysian premiere, presented by <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://www.theatresauce.com/">Theatresauce</a>, places audiences inside an immersive world where the boundaries between observer and participant begin to blur. Joining us are two of the performers bringing this story to life, cast members Anne James and Kamini Senthilathiban.

No Particular Order

A new theatre production is inviting us into a story about family, loss, and the complicated bonds between siblings. Mati-mati (J’aime Ma Mère) is the second part of a trilogy by Christopher Ling and Arsyad Azrai, following the sold-out Saccharine. To tell us more about the show and how it builds on their earlier work Saccharine, we’re joined by writer Arsyad Azrai and cast member Muhammad Ibrahim.

A new theatre production is inviting us into a story about family, loss, and the complicated bonds between siblings. <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://www.cloudjoi.com/shows/mati-mati-jaime-ma-mere">Mati-mati (J’aime Ma Mère)</a> is the second part of a trilogy by Christopher Ling and Arsyad Azrai, following the sold-out <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://www.klpac.org/shows/saccharine/">Saccharine</a>. To tell us more about the show and how it builds on their earlier work Saccharine, we’re joined by writer Arsyad Azrai and cast member Muhammad Ibrahim.

Mati-mati (J’aime Ma Mère)

From playful marches to cinematic finales, wind symphony music has a way of telling vivid and unexpected stories. An upcoming concert titled The Ambitious Plan brings together a wide range of works, including a world premiere by a local composer, while also marking an important milestone for BELIA’n Wind Symphony. Joining us to share more are Ho Chee Kiang, Music Director and Conductor, and Aaron Foo, Vice President of BELIA’n Wind Symphony.

From playful marches to cinematic finales, wind symphony music has a way of telling vivid and unexpected stories. An upcoming concert titled <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://www.cloudjoi.com/shows/5255-the-ambitious-plan">The Ambitious Plan</a> brings together a wide range of works, including a world premiere by a local composer, while also marking an important milestone for <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://www.instagram.com/belian_youth_winds/">BELIA’n Wind Symphony</a>. Joining us to share more are Ho Chee Kiang, Music Director and Conductor, and Aaron Foo, Vice President of BELIA’n Wind Symphony.

The MPO in 2026: Music Across Generations and Genres

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