Chairman’s Report

in 2022, renewed their partnership for another four years. And I warmly thank our donors, trusts and foundations for believing in the power of the MSO to support our industry and propel it forward for the betterment of our collective cultural wellbeing.

To my fellow Board members, thank you for your wonderful support and guidance. In 2022, we farewelled long standing Board member Danny Gorog, and I thank him for his service over the past nine years. In November we welcomed new Board member, Farrel Meltzer, who brings with him great experience in finance and investment. Thank you also to our sub-committee members who bring a wealth of knowledge to the Board table across a range of areas.

Welcome to our 2022 Annual Report, and a look back on what was a year of recovery for the Melbourne Symphony Orchestra. While the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic were still being felt here at the MSO and with our audiences and stakeholders, it was wonderful to present a full season of performances and events.

In 2022, the operating result for the year prior to the fair value adjustment of financial assets and donations of endowment nature and special purposes was $76,889 (2021: $863,149). This positive result is testament to the good work of our Board, management, artists, and people, and I thank them for their hard work and commitment.

I also wish to acknowledge the great support of the Australian Government through the Office of the Arts, and the Victorian Government through Creative Victoria for their significant contribution in 2022 to sustain the Orchestra. This additional funding ensured we were able to return an operational surplus.

In 2022, the MSO presented 148 performances to a live audience of more than 217,000 people. While still not at pre-pandemic levels, it is an increase on previous years and almost triple our total live audience in 2021. It was pleasing to see so many returning to the concert hall and Jaime Martín’s first season as our Chief Conductor. I thank Maestro Martín for bringing his great vision and creativity to the MSO, working across the entire spectrum of the Orchestra’s activity.

We delivered a new strategy for 2023 and 2024 which focuses on emerging from COVID-19 and I thank the MSO team for this which has been so well received by our core funding partners, demonstrating the flexibility of the MSO as it evolves to the constantly changing operating environment. I commend the management team for their flexibility and agility in working to reflect our community in programs we so proudly present. Our new Friends of the MSO program and Encore Magazine are receiving strong support and feedback, both enabling our audiences and supporters to get closer to their favourite orchestra.

I am grateful to our corporate partners for working with us so collaboratively and would particularly like to mention our Principal Partner Emirates who

On behalf of the Board, congratulations to Sophie Galaise, her leadership team, and staff for their incredible efforts in 2022. And thank you to our musicians whose brilliance shines so brightly at every performance. It is the magic you all create which makes what we do so exciting. Finally, my sincerest thanks to our audiences. The last few years have been challenging for us all, however there is so much to be excited about for the future and it warms our hearts to have you back in the concert hall sharing beautiful music with us.

David Li AM Chairman