The Baltimore Symphony Orchestra has announced its 2026-27 season, which is the 110th year since the orchestra’s founding. Offerings will span masterworks of classical music, jazz, new works by living legends, a new series of performances, and more. The season’s theme is “Illuminat ed Through Sound,” centering visual storytelling, atmosphere, and physical movement in the concert experience. Programming reflects the orchestra’s ability to appeal to all types of entertainment-lovers. There will be immersive presentations like Holst’s “The Planets: An HD Odyssey” and Mussorgsky’s “Pictures at an Exhibition” which combine orchestral sound with projected imagery. Live-to-film performances will include “Psycho” in Concert and “Amadeus” LIVE, featuring the Cathedral Choral Society. Ballet-lovers will appreciate the movement, color, and dramatic momentum of “The Firebird,” “Romeo and Juliet,” and “The Miraculous Mandarin.” Photo via Samara Joy’s Instagram page. The season opens with BSO’s annual two-day Gala Celebration on Friday, Sept. 25, at The Music Center at Strathmore and Saturday, Sept. 26, at the Joseph Meyerhoff Symphony Hall. Grammy Award-winning jazz vocalist Samara Joy will perform her unique twists on classics from Sarah Vaughan, Ella Fitzgerald, Duke Ellington, and Billie Holiday. Jonathon Heyward, beloved Converse Conductor and BSO music director, leads the Gala Celebration, which is the orchestra’s signature fundraiser. It brings together cultural, civic, and philanthropic leaders to support the BSO’s artistic and educational mission. Students from OrchKids and the Baltimore Symphony Youth Orchestras will make special appearances, highlighting the BSO’s long-standing commitment to nurturing young talent. “As we mark 110 years since the founding of this Orchestra, we’re honoring its legacy by continuing to evolve,” said Mark C. Hanson, president and CEO of the BSO, in a statement . “This season reflects our responsibility to serve our community by remaining artistically bold, relevant, and welcoming to audiences at every stage of their relationship with the BSO.” This year’s focus involves history and art as it intersects with music. The classical music world marks the two centuries since Ludwig van Beethoven’s death in 1827 this year, and as part of that international observance, the BSO will present a broad exploration of his work. There will be a Beyond the Score exploration of Beethoven’s Fifth Symphony. Pioneered by the Chicago Symphony Orchestra, Beyond the Score performances are multimedia performances involving live actors, projections, historic context, and broad understanding of how the composer’s world shaped their music. There will also be a rare and ambitious undertaking by pianist Yeol Eum Son, who will perform all five Beethoven piano concertos in a single week. The famous red Converse Chuck Taylors. Photo credit: Jonathon Heyward. The season will conclude with a theatrical production of Verdi’s “Requiem”, the monumental work bringing drama and vocal intensity to a sacred text. Heyward will direct, true to his operatic roots. When he first came to Baltimore, Heyward spoke to Baltimore Fishbowl about his love of opera and desire to explore the possibility of weaving opera into the BSO’s world. “We do have an opera company in Baltimore, and they of course are a strong organization,” Heyward said in the 2023 interview. “However, I think we can also help support opera in Baltimore and I’m looking forward to being a part of that…. And I think also, artistically, the orchestra really have a great sound world for opera, and particularly the works of Verdi, that I’m sort of looking at an opera that I’ve always been inspired by, so stay tuned.” Verdi’s “Requiem” is not technically classified as an opera, but it is a massive orchestral and choral work and certainly one of his most frequently performed. The dramatic nature of the music and choral emotional arc convey the fear of people facing death and begging for deliverance. A Houston Symphony blog described it as “An Opera in Disguise”. Photo via Jonathan Leshnoff’s Facebook page. Between the opening Gala and closing Verdi Requiem, the BSO will introduce its 2026-27 Composer-in-Residence, Jonathan Leshnoff. His residency centers creation, mentorship, and community connection, and will include multiple world premieres of his work. Symphony No. 6 is an artistic reflection on the City of Baltimore, and a new violin concerto was written for Gil Shaham. Leshnoff has a season-long engagement connecting students from OrchKids, the Baltimore School for the Arts, and the Peabody Institute, extending the impact of his residency this season and for years to come. Distinguished guest artists will include globally acclaimed musicians Jan Lisiecki (pianist), Isabelle Faust (violinist), and Fleur Barron (mezzo-soprano). Music Director Laureate and OrchKids Founder Marin Alsop will return for two programs, while guest conductors like Giancarlo Guerrero, Christopher Dragon, and others will add a variety of interpretations to the musical season. Living composers’ music will grace the Meyerhoff, as the BSO will present Baltimore-born composer Philip Glass’ new Symphony No. 15, “Lincoln.” John Adams’ Pulitzer Prize–winning On the Transmigration of Souls will anchor the orchestra’s fall commemoration of the 25th anniversary of September 11. Work by Anna Clyne, Valerie Coleman, Salina Fisher, and many more women composers will also be spotlighted throughout the season. “This season is about illuminating music as a living, breathing force,” Heyward said. “From historic masterworks to new music shaped by this city, we’re inviting audiences into experiences that are vivid, meaningful, and deeply human.” New this season, the BSO will launch the Signature Series, a selection of the Orchestra’s most visible and high-impact performances. There will be large-scale events, like Dolly Parton’s Threads: My Songs in Symphony, a multimedia concert experience featuring Dolly Parton on screen; an evening dedicated to the film and concert music of Joe Hisaishi, the internationally celebrated composer best known for his work with Studio Ghibli, and more. Also new this season are two new lifestyle series meant to accommodate today’s schedules and need for flexibility in programming. The Coffee Series presents full classical programs on four Friday mornings, offering a calm, welcoming setting and an inviting way to begin the day. The Symphony at Six Series debuts with four early-evening Saturday performances paired with curated pre-concert gatherings, post-concert conversations with Music Director Jonathon Heyward, and partnerships with local restaurants offering post-concert dining options. The BSO is bringing back BSO Collections for the 2026-27 season. The Classical Collection will anchor the season with major symphonic works, internationally recognized soloists, and works by living composers. The Popular Collection will feature an expanded film-with-orchestra series, high-profile pops concerts, and genre-crossing programs that expand the BSOs reach and appeal. The Celebrations Collection includes concerts tied to cultural and community traditions, like Holiday Pops featuring Broadway and television star Megan Hilty, Cirque Nutcracker, and Lunar New Year. The Sherman Foundation BSO Family Collection will give access to families and young audiences, including a family-friendly presentation of The Planets: An HD Odyssey designed for audiences as young as 4 and up. Family Concerts, Music Box performances, and Kids Listen Free pricing continue to play a central role in the Orchestra’s commitment to accessibility. Subscriptions for the 2026–27 season are now available. Single tickets will go on sale in Summer 2026. Learn more at the BSO website or call 410-783-8000. ...read more read less