The Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra announced programming highlights for its 2026–27 season under Music Director Cristian Măcelaru, who enters his second year leading the ensemble. The season was unveiled on February 26, 2026, and centers two major choral and vocal programs as its signature events.

The season opens with “Songs of Destiny” on October 17–18, 2026, a concert pairing Herbert Howells’ “Lamia,” Aram Khachaturian’s Violin Concerto with soloist Alexandra Conunova, and Johannes Brahms’ “Nänie and Schicksalslied,” performed with the May Festival Chorus. In March 2027, the orchestra and chorus will present Johann Sebastian Bach’s “St. Matthew Passion,” featuring soprano Louise Alder, mezzo-soprano Karen Cargill, tenor Nicholas Phan, and baritone Morgan Smith on March 13–14 at Music Hall.

The 2026–27 season also includes the fifth summer of the CSO’s Brady Block Parties, bringing free outdoor concerts to five Greater Cincinnati neighborhoods between June 4 and July 17, 2026. Grammy Award-winning artist Common is scheduled to perform at the orchestra’s annual Classical Roots concert on April 29 at Music Hall, and the Cincinnati Pops will present a Red, White & BOOM! concert at Riverbend Music Center on July 4, 2026, in recognition of the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence.

Source: OperaWire