The Perth-based orchestra is packing Wagner, Mahler and Sculthorpe for its first international tour in ten years.

The Western Australian Symphony Orchestra is about to embark on its first international tour in ten years, performing concerts in China and the United Arab Emirates. The Perth-based orchestra will become the first Australian major performing arts company to tour to the United Arab Emirates and the first to represent Australia at the Beijing Music Festival.

The orchestra will tour in three stages, beginning with a concert in the Emirates Palace Concert Hall in Abu Dhabi conducted by Sir Richard Amstrong. Heldentenor Simon O’Neill will join the ensemble for the all-Wagner programme, which features selections from Tannhäuser, Die Walküre, Lohengrin, Tristan und Isolde, Parsifal and Die Meistersinger.

“I look forward to welcoming the West Australian Symphony Orchestra (WASO) to Abu Dhabi”, said Arthur Spyrou, the Australian Ambassador to the United Arab Emirates. “The all-Wagner performance by WASO will showcase a great Australian orchestra and make a world class contribution to the UAE cultural landscape. As the signature event which will open the 2016/17 Abu Dhabi Classics Season the WASO visit will highlight Australia’s reputation as a dynamic, artistic nation and a lover of...