The Latest Breaking News from the Melbourne Symphony Orchestra

Pianist loses court battle, but fills concert halls

A pianist who lost a court fight against the Melbourne Symphony Orchestra is filling concert halls on his own independent tour.

AAP · Jul 16

The MSO and Lattouf rulings are seemingly at odds. Where does this leave free speech at work?

On Friday, the Federal Court found the Melbourne Symphony Orchestra (MSO) did not act unlawfully by cancelling a scheduled performance by concert pianist Jayson Gillham, after he made statements that Israel had committed war crimes by targeting journalists.

The Conversation · Jul 14

Pianist Jayson Gillham loses discrimination case against Melbourne Symphony Orchestra over Gaza comments

Gillham claimed Melbourne concert in 2024 cancelled in attempt to silence him over stance on Israel attacks on Gaza

The Guardian - AU · Jul 9

Pianist to tour Australia amid legal row with orchestra

Concert pianist Jayson Gillham will return to Australia for a self-presented tour, as his court case against the Melbourne Symphony Orchestra continues.

AAP · Mar 29

No early curtain on axed pianist's feud with symphony

A pianist allegedly sacked after dedicating a piece to slain Gazan journalists has scored an early win in a legal dispute with the Melbourne Symphony Orchestra.

AAP · May 8, 2025

Pianist sues Melbourne Symphony Orchestra for cancelling his concert allegedly over Gaza stance

Jayson Gillham claims he was ‘silenced for speaking the truth’ and says situation ‘strikes at the heart of our right to free speech’

The Guardian - AU · Oct 3, 2024

What’s behind the spate of arts leadership departures in Australia? Perhaps a mismatch of values

The past few months has seen the sudden departure of leadership from some of the country’s most prestigious artistic companies: the Melbourne Symphony Orchestra, Queensland Ballet, Queensland Theatre, Opera Australia and the Adelaide Festival.

The Conversation · Sep 29, 2024

No harmony in sight as symphony's fight rises in tempo

Lawyers for the Melbourne Symphony Orchestra have accused pianist Jayson Gillham of making outrageous demands, further intensifying their dispute.

AAP · Sep 2, 2024

Peter Garrett to conduct review into cancelled concert

Melbourne Symphony Orchestra's managing director has left the organisation as former arts minister Peter Garrett leads a review sparked by a cancelled concert.

AAP · Aug 26, 2024

Melbourne Symphony Orchestra admits ‘error’ in cancelling pianist’s show over Gaza remarks

Melbourne Symphony Orchestra cancelled a show by Jayson Gillham after he dedicated a piece to the journalists of Gaza

The Independent UK · Aug 19, 2024