Norwegian Grammy-winning duo returns after 22 years for historic five-city tour this November
SYDNEY, 5 March 2026– Tickets for the highly anticipated return of Norwegian Grammy-winning duo Secret Garden to Australia will go on sale tomorrow, marking their first national tour since their unforgettable performance at the Sydney Opera House in 2004.
“The Return of Secret Garden: 2026 Australian Concert Tour” will bring the ethereal sounds of composer Rolf Løvland and violinist Fionnuala Sherry to Perth, Sydney, Melbourne, Adelaide and Brisbane this November – spanning the continent from west to east and reaching over 70 per cent of Australia’s population.
The tour is proudly presented Under the Honorary Patronage of the Royal Norwegian Embassy in Australia, underscoring the profound cultural significance of this historic homecoming and the enduring artistic ties between Norway and Australia.
Tickets for Perth, Sydney, Adelaide and Brisbane will go on sale at 12:00 PM local time on Friday, 6 March 2026 exclusively through Ticketek.com.au. Melbourne tickets will be available simultaneously via Ticketmaster.com.au. Ticket prices range from $180 to $380.
A Legacy Spanning Three Decades
Secret Garden, formed in 1994, has captivated audiences worldwide with their unique fusion of classical, folk and contemporary Celtic-Nordic music, creating soundscapes that are hauntingly beautiful and profoundly uplifting.
The duo made history in 1995 by winning the Eurovision Song Contest with “Nocturne” – the first and only instrumental piece ever to win the competition in its 40-year history. Their signature composition “You Raise Me Up” has become one of the most recorded songs of the century, with over 1,000 artists worldwide – from Josh Groban to Westlife, Il Divo to Celtic Woman – offering their own interpretations. The song has been performed at the Olympic Games, the Nobel Peace Prize Ceremony, and translated into more than 40 languages.
With over 6 million albums sold, 113 Platinum records worldwide, an unprecedented 311 consecutive weeks on the Billboard New Age Chart, and more than 3 billion streams, Secret Garden stands as one of the most successful instrumental acts in music history.
A Personal Story Behind the Global Anthem
Speaking about the inspiration behind “You Raise Me Up,” composer Rolf Løvland revealed the deeply personal origins of the work that has touched billions.
“I wrote the melody in 2001 following the sudden death of my mother,” Løvland said. “Music has always been my way of processing emotion, and this melody came from a place of deep loss. It was never intended to be a hit – it was simply my personal expression of grief and, eventually, hope.”
The composition lay unfinished for months until Irish songwriter Brendan Graham – author of the Eurovision-winning “Rock ‘n’ Roll Kids” – heard the melody and felt an immediate connection. Graham’s lyrics, inspired by a Celtic prayer and themes of spiritual resilience, transformed Løvland’s personal lament into a universal message of hope.
“When Brendan sent me the words, I knew something special had happened,” Løvland recalls. “The melody that had come from a place of sorrow found words that spoke of being lifted up, of finding strength beyond yourself.”
What Audiences Can Expect
Concertgoers across the five cities will experience an evening of timeless melodies spanning the duo’s remarkable career, including “You Raise Me Up,” “Song from a Secret Garden,” “Nocturne,” “Sometimes When It Rains,” and “The Promise.”
Each performance will feature the intimate interplay between Løvland’s piano and Sherry’s violin, creating the immersive soundscapes that have made their concerts a transformative experience for audiences worldwide.
“We are thrilled to finally return to Australia after so many years,” said violinist Fionnuala Sherry. “Australian audiences have always held a special place in our hearts since we performed at the Sydney Opera House in 2004. We cannot wait to reconnect and share an evening of music that speaks directly to the heart.”
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Cxs3RClv-8g&list=RDGMEMRpqX2eKUq0kW97LmkR0R1w&index=1
