Richard Wigley, chief executive of the Melbourne Symphony Orchestra, has spoken for the first time since the orchestra won its federal court case against pianist Jayson Gillham, reflecting on the orchestra’s internal culture and finances.
Wigley took over the MSO in August 2024. About a week into the role, he met with musicians and staff and asked how they were feeling, creating an open forum in the aftermath of the Gillham incident. Several people cried. He said openness was the critical change. “The orchestra, once they felt listened to, projected something different on stage. So 2025 was our biggest sales year ever, right in the teeth of all the negative publicity. And I put that down to a kind of freshness and a vibrancy to what they were doing.”
The incident at the centre of the federal court case occurred when guest pianist Jayson Gillham dedicated a piece to journalists killed in Gaza, adding that some were deliberately targeted by the Israel Defence Forces. The MSO dismissed him, leading to the wrongful dismissal suit that the orchestra ultimately won.
On the court’s decision, Wigley said he respected the judge’s findings. "We wish Jayson extremely well for what comes next," he said. "It’s important to establish what are acceptable boundaries, if you like, on stages. So I think that that was an important contribution to the entire sector. If you’re being hosted on the stage, then you need to be aware the impact of what you say on audience members."
Gillham posted on Instagram after the ruling: "I am understandably very disappointed by the court’s decision in this matter. I believe artists should be free to speak with integrity. This case was never just about me. My principles remain unchanged."
Wigley said the MSO is reviewing all its policies and procedures, a process expected to take about two years. Financially, the organisation halved its deficit from $2 million in 2024 to $1 million in 2025, assisted by a restructure that cut about 10 administration roles. It is working towards breaking even in 2029.
Ticket income for 2026 is poor, a problem across the arts more broadly, Wigley said, citing a cycle of lack of consumer confidence hitting ticket sales. One show that will help the coffers is next year’s 40th anniversary concert of The Legend of Zelda, which sold $1.371 million worth of tickets in three days.
Analysis
Why This Matters
- The MSO successfully defended its actions regarding political speech on stage, setting a precedent for the Australian performing arts sector.
- CEO Richard Wigley’s focus on internal culture and financial health demonstrates a management strategy for navigating public and legal crises.
- The orchestra’s recovery path highlights the delicate balance between artistic freedom, audience perception, and financial sustainability.
Background
In August 2024, guest pianist Jayson Gillham became the subject of a high-profile incident when he dedicated a piece to journalists killed in Gaza, stating some were deliberately targeted by the Israel Defence Forces. The MSO subsequently dismissed him. Gillham sued for wrongful dismissal, arguing his political expression was protected. The federal court ruled in favour of the MSO. Richard Wigley had taken over as CEO shortly after the incident.
Key Perspectives
Richard Wigley: Believed the court’s decision established important boundaries for political expression on stage. He says the orchestra maintained its artistic quality through the crisis and is focused on policy reviews and financial recovery.
Jayson Gillham: Stated he was disappointed by the court’s decision and believes artists should be free to speak with integrity, maintaining his principles remain unchanged.
What to Watch
- The outcome of the MSO’s two-year review of its policies and codes of conduct.
- Whether the poor ticket sales trend for 2026 continues across the wider arts sector.
- The financial impact of major events like the Legend of Zelda anniversary concert on the MSO’s path to breaking even by 2029.
Checked
12 claims in this story checked against 1 source: 12 supported.
Show each claim
- SupportedThe MSO won its federal court case against pianist Jayson Gillham, who had been dismissed by the orchestra.Brisbane Times - Latest News: “Speaking for the first time since the case was won by the MSO”
- SupportedRichard Wigley spoke publicly for the first time since the MSO won the case.Brisbane Times - Latest News: “Speaking for the first time since the case was won by the MSO”
- SupportedWigley said: “The orchestra, once they felt listened to, projected something different on stage. So 2025 was our biggest sales year ever, right in the teeth of all the negative publicity. And I put that down to a kind of freshness and a vibrancy to what they were doing.”Brisbane Times - Latest News: ““The orchestra, once they felt listened to, projected something different on stage. So 2025 was our biggest sales year ever, right in the teeth of all the negative publicity. And I put that down to a kind of freshness and a vibrancy to what they were doing,” he says.”
- SupportedGillham dedicated a piece to journalists killed in Gaza and said some were deliberately targeted by the Israel Defence Forces.Brisbane Times - Latest News: “the guest pianist dedicated a piece of music to journalists killed in Gaza, adding that some were deliberately targeted by the Israel Defence Forces.”
- SupportedAfter starting as MSO CEO in August 2024, Wigley met with musicians and staff about a week later and asked how they were feeling.Brisbane Times - Latest News: “About a week after he started in August 2024, Wigley sat in a room with the musicians and the staff and asked how they were feeling”
- SupportedSeveral people cried at the meeting, which allowed anyone to speak at any time.Brisbane Times - Latest News: “adding that anyone could speak at any time. ... Several people cried in that meeting, Wigley says.”
- SupportedWigley said he respected the judge’s findings and that the case made an important contribution to the sector by establishing acceptable stage boundaries.Brisbane Times - Latest News: “Wigley says the judge was very clear about the conclusions and that he respects his findings. “We wish Jayson extremely well for what comes next. It’s important to establish what are acceptable boundaries, if you like, on stages. So I think that that was an important contribution to the entire sector.”
- SupportedGillham posted: “I am understandably very disappointed by the court’s decision in this matter. I believe artists should be free to speak with integrity. This case was never just about me. My principles remain unchanged.”Brisbane Times - Latest News: “Gillham posted on Instagram: “I am understandably very disappointed by the court’s decision in this matter. I believe artists should be free to speak with integrity. This case was never just about me. My principles remain unchanged.””
- SupportedWigley said the MSO is reviewing all its policies and procedures, a process expected to take about two years.Brisbane Times - Latest News: “Wigley said the organisation was reviewing all its policies and procedures, which would take about two years.”
- SupportedThe MSO reduced its deficit from $2 million in 2024 to $1 million in 2025, with a restructure that cut about 10 administration roles helping.Brisbane Times - Latest News: “The MSO’s was able to reduce its $2 million deficit in 2024 to $1 million in 2025 – helped by a restructure that saw about 10 administration roles cut”
- SupportedThe MSO is working towards breaking even in 2029.Brisbane Times - Latest News: “the organisation is working towards breaking even in 2029.”
- SupportedWigley said ticket income for 2026 was poor, citing lack of consumer confidence as a factor hitting ticket sales.Brisbane Times - Latest News: “Ticket income for 2026 is poor, a problem across the arts more broadly, says Wigley. “It’s unfortunate that at the point of investment in the orchestra, which is the right thing to do, [we’ve] hit the cycle of lack of consumer confidence hitting ticket sales.””