The 38th Macao International Music Festival – Beethoven’s Symphony No. 9, Conducted by Tan Dun (featuring *Nine Songs*)

In the autumn of 2026, Macao will host a high-caliber international musical extravaganza, launched through the collaboration of two of the city’s premier annual music brands: First, the 38th Macao International Music Festival, presented by the Cultural Affairs Bureau, will take center stage from October 2 to November 29, 2026. Centered on the theme "Threads of Melody"—a nod to the cultural exchange between East and West—the festival features a stellar lineup. Highlights include the opening premiere of a newly adapted Yue opera, *My Grand View Garden*, starring acclaimed Yue opera performer Chen Lijun; a production of Puccini’s classic opera *Turandot*; and a piano recital by international superstar Lang Lang. Breaking with tradition, the festival will also venture into the city’s streets and alleyways with 44 "Street Music Vignettes"—spontaneous pop-up performances designed to infuse the entire city with a celebratory, musical atmosphere. Following this, the Macao Orchestra will launch its 2026–27 season, running from September 5, 2026, to July 25, 2027. With "A Tribute to Beethoven" as its core theme, the season will feature the orchestra’s resident professional musicians alongside international guest artists, such as Vincent Dubois, titular organist of Notre-Dame de Paris. The performances will span a diverse range of venues: beyond a grand, climactic rendition of the *Ode to Joy* at the Macao Cultural Centre, the orchestra will present minimalist theatrical works at the Mandarin’s House—a UNESCO World Heritage site—and debut a unique cross-disciplinary collaboration with the avant-garde contemporary dance troupe, TAO Dance Theater, for a New Year’s concert defined by its exquisite aesthetic.