Melbourne Symphony Orchestra: Signature Choir x MSO Mana Moana – Spirit of the ocean

There is no place in Melbourne quite like the lawn of the Sidney Myer Music Bowl on a summer night. This January, join us for a powerful evening of Pasifika storytelling with New Zealand’s leading vocal ensemble, the Signature Choir. With more than 90 voices in harmony, this one night only collaboration will light up the Bowl with a performance as vast as the ocean and as intimate as a family gathering.

A Communal Celebration: On the lawn, the music isn’t just performed; it’s shared. Spread out your picnic blanket and join “8,000 of your closest friends” in a space where community and culture come alive. It’s the perfect setting for Mana Moana—a community driven project celebrating the people of our Pacific region.

The Ultimate Melbourne Backdrop: As the Signature Choir’s 90 voices rise in harmony alongside the Melbourne Symphony Orchestra, watch the city skyline begin to glisten behind the stage. There is a specific magic to hearing gospel, classical, and traditional Pasifika sounds while the sun sets over Kings Domain and the stars begin to emerge.

Space to Move and Breathe: The lawn offers the freedom to find your own perfect vantage point. Whether you’re leaning back to take in the sheer scale of the Bowl’s iconic canopy or standing to feel the energy of the Pasifika medley, the open air allows the music to resonate in a way no venue can match. Bring a picnic blanket or low chair and make yourself comfortable to experience the power of this world-first Pacific choral and orchestra production. And, if the mood strikes, get up and dance along on the grass!

The Sounds of the Pacific, Amplified: Sidney Myer Music Bowl was designed so that sound travels effortlessly up the hill. Even from the back of the grass, you’ll feel every note of the Melbourne Symphony Orchestra and the emotional weight of ancestral stories told through song.

More about Mana Moana: This is a world-first Pacific, choral and orchestral production that explores the ocean as a symbol of connection, heritage and strength. Since its 2023 debut with the New Zealand Symphony Orchestra, Mana Moana has sold out arenas, earned standing ovations, and become a powerful celebration of identity, resilience and unity. The evening will be hosted by the renowned actor and comedian Tofiga Fepulea’i.

Pack a picnic blanket, bring your loved ones, and settle in for a night of “sacred spirit” (Mana) and “oceanic beauty” (Moana). This is a special summer memory in the making.