London welcomes the world-renowned Australian Chamber Orchestra in March 2025 as it prepares for its 50th anniversary.

The Australian Chamber Orchestra (ACO)—hailed as “one of the wonders of the musical world” by The Guardian—is returning to London’s Barbican Centre on Friday, March 21, 2025, as part of its European tour. With stops in Amsterdam, Wrocław, Stuttgart, and London, the tour features a program as dynamic and eclectic as the orchestra itself, blending beloved classics with cutting-edge compositions.
Led by Artistic Director and violin virtuoso Richard Tognetti, the ACO’s London performance will include Shostakovich’s Piano Concerto No. 1, Bach’s Concerto for Oboe and Violin, and Shostakovich’s Chamber Symphony, offering audiences an exhilarating evening of virtuosic music-making.
London: A Second Home for the ACO
As the ACO prepares for its milestone 50th anniversary in 2025, Tognetti reflected on the orchestra’s relationship with London, saying:
“I am delighted that we will be returning to London, a city that has become the ACO’s second home over the years, as well as giving concerts in The Netherlands, Poland, and Germany.”
Over the decades, the ACO has earned a reputation as one of the world’s most adventurous chamber orchestras. Defined by its innovative programming, the ensemble seamlessly bridges the gap between classical masterworks and contemporary collaborations. London audiences have long been captivated by the ACO’s energy, precision, and daring artistic vision, which have made it a global cultural icon.
Under Tognetti’s visionary leadership since 1990, the 17-member ensemble has revolutionized the concept of a chamber orchestra. Known for groundbreaking cross-genre collaborations, the ACO has worked with an impressive roster of artists, from Steven Isserlis and Emmanuel Pahud to Jonny Greenwood and Bryce Dessner, along with filmmakers and visual artists.

A highlight of the tour is the performance of Mountain, the ACO’s acclaimed cinematic collaboration with filmmaker Jennifer Peedom, in Wrocław on March 15, 2025. Featuring Tognetti’s breathtaking score performed live alongside the film, Mountain is the highest-grossing Australian documentary of all time and a testament to the orchestra’s innovative spirit.
The ACO’s unmistakable sound owes much to its extraordinary collection of nine rare Golden Age instruments, including works by Stradivari, Guarneri del Gesù, and Amati. These instruments, owned by benefactors and the ACO Instrument Fund, lend the orchestra a depth and richness of tone rarely matched in the classical world.
Beyond its performances, the ACO is a champion of music education. From mentoring young Australian string players through its Emerging Artists Programme to its groundbreaking initiatives in schools, the orchestra has been instrumental in nurturing the next generation of musicians.
Catch the ACO in London
Don’t miss the Australian Chamber Orchestra’s return to London this March. Experience their extraordinary artistry and bold programming at the Barbican Centre—a fitting prelude to their 50th-anniversary celebrations.
- When: Friday, March 21, 2025
- Where: Barbican Centre, London
- Program: Shostakovich Piano Concerto No. 1, Bach Concerto for Oboe and Violin, Shostakovich Chamber Symphony
- Tickets and Info: www.aco.com.au
Elena Leo is the Arts & Lifestyle Editor of Ikon London Magazine.