Darwin Symphony Orchestra begins its new season with its first concert of the year, From Common Ground, set to take place on Saturday 14th March at The Playhouse, AANT Centre. This concert marks a new chapter for the DSO under the direction of Artistic Director and Chief Conductor Richard Mills AO, inviting audiences into an evening of deep listening – a journey where imagination and simple ideas expand into something far greater.

The season opens with the world premiere of Ground by local musician and composer, Netanela Mizrahi, celebrating her third year as DSO’s Composer in Residence. This newly commissioned work unfolds as a reflective process of rhythmic uncovering and re‑covering, grounded in the belief that the ‘unknown’ is essential for creative possibility and exploration.

Audiences will experience the transformative power and extraordinary creativity of the composers Shostakovich, Franck, Rachmaninov and Hindemith, that will spark your imagination and joy. Be swept away by pianist Stefan Cassomenos in Rachmaninov’s beloved Paganini Variations and Franck’s Symphonic Variations. Alongside with the tension, wit, and colour of Shostakovich and Hindemith, the program showcases every section of the orchestra and its expressive possibilities in music that is joyful, powerful and life-affirming.