On Jan. 22, 1926, the Manila Symphony Orchestra (MSO) conducted by founder Alexander Lippay performed Ludwig van Beethoven’s Leonore Overture No. 3 in its inaugural concert at the Manila Grand Opera House.
Exactly 100 years later, on Jan. 22, 2026, as a reminder of its enduring legacy, the MSO will perform Leonore Overture No. 3 under the baton of Singaporean guest conductor Darrel Ang. It will perform as well Beethoven’s Emperor Concerto featuring the rising young Chinese pianist Muyu Liu.
National Artist for Music and MSO trustee Ryan Cayabyab’s Misa 2000 and Te Deum will conclude the program with the world-renowned Philippine Madrigal Singers under the baton of Prof. Mark Anthony Carpio.
The 100th-anniversary concert will be held at the Samsung Performing Arts Theater in Circuit Makati.
Beethoven’s Leonore Overture No. 3, Op. 72 is one of his most dramatic orchestral works, embodying the themes of struggle, freedom, and triumph. Originally written for his only opera, Fidelio (1805), the overture transforms the story’s emotional journey from darkness and conflict to light and redemption into a powerful symphonic form.
Emperor Concerto, or Piano Concerto No. 5 in E-flat Major, Op. 73, is Beethoven’s last completed piano concerto. Written between 1809 and 1811 during Vienna’s turbulent wartime, it opens with three commanding chords that set a heroic tone before the piano boldly enters. It is known for its grand orchestration, virtuosic solo writing, and dialogue between piano and orchestra.
Maestro Cayabyab’s Misa 2000 is a profoundly moving sacred work that unites Western liturgical form with Filipino musical identity. Written for dance and recognized by the Onassis International Cultural Competition, it combines chorus, orchestra, and indigenous instruments in a vibrant tapestry of sound and spirit.
Te Deum is a grand choral-orchestral work that radiates joy, gratitude, and praise. Setting the traditional Latin hymn to music, Cayabyab infuses the composition with his signature rhythmic vitality and harmonic richness, blending classical structure with contemporary sensibility. Celebratory and uplifting, Te Deum reflects both the universality of faith and the Filipino spirit of thanksgiving, a fitting conclusion to the MSO’s centennial concert.
Here is the MSO’s Season 100 concert lineup for 2026-27 (tentative, subject to changes):
Concert I, Centennial Opening: The Sleeping Beauty, March 13-15, 2026, Aliw Theater
Concert II, Centennial Rising Stars of the Philippines, May 30, 2026, Proscenium Theatre
Concert III, Symphony of a Nation: 100 Years of Music, 80 Years of FilAm Friendship, July 4, 2026, Manila Metropolitan Theater
Concert IV, Legacies in Song: MSO’s 100 Years and the Voice of Conching Rosal, Aug. 29, 2026, FEU Auditorium
Concert V, Centennial Finale Gala: Philippine Master Composers, Past, Present, and Future, October 2026, Hyundai Hall, Areté, Ateneo de Manila University
Concert VI, MSO 100 Centennial Finale, January 2027
Tickets for the 100th-anniversary concert are available via Ticketworld, with discounts of 50% and 20% for students and senior citizens/PWDs, respectively. There is a 20% early bird discount (MSO100EB20). The MSO (www.manilasymphony.com) is on YouTube, Facebook, Instagram and TikTok.
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