The Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra and Cincinnati Pops unveiled their 2026-27 season on February 26, 2026, marking Music Director Cristian Măcelaru’s second year at the helm of the organization. The season opens October 2-4 with a residency featuring trumpeter and composer Wynton Marsalis alongside the Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra, one of Marsalis’ final appearances in his longtime artistic director role.

The season includes three world or U.S. premieres of note: the world premiere of a new Concerto for Orchestra by British-Belizean composer Errollyn Wallen in March 2027; the U.S. premiere of Scottish composer Mark Simpson’s Piano Concerto, with pianist Víkingur Ólafsson as soloist in January 2027; and the first U.S. performance in nearly a century of Romanian composer George Enescu’s Symphony No. 3, also in January 2027. The CSO co-commissioned Marsalis’ Symphony No. 5, titled “Liberty,” written in recognition of the 250th anniversary of the U.S. Declaration of Independence.

Other featured soloists across the season include pianist Lang Lang, violinists Ray Chen and Gil Shaham, and cellist Alisa Weilerstein. Four conductors will make CSO debuts during the season, including three women previously mentored by Măcelaru. The Cincinnati Pops, led by conductor John Morris Russell — whose contract was extended through 2027-28 — announced programs featuring vocalist Lea Salonga and live-to-film concerts including La La Land and Psycho. Individual tickets go on sale to the public June 3, 2026.

Source: Behind the Curtain Cincinnati