The Calendar of Events is comprised of industry-wide seminars, workshops, conferences, master classes and more.
All material found in the Calendar of Events is provided by parties entirely independent of Musical America. Any questions on the information found in the Calendar should be directed to the sponsors of the event.
Concert Commemorating the 40th Anniversary of the Chornobyl Catastrophe
05/01/2026
Oksana Sorochan
Carnegie Hall
youngperformersfoundation@gmail.com
Carnegie Hall 57th Street and, 7th Ave, New York, NY 10019
New York, NJ United States
2016880777
youngperformersfoundation@gmail.comhttp://https://www.carnegiehall.org/Calendar/2026/05/01/Concert-Commem The Young Performers Foundation, under the patronage of H.E. Ambassador Dr. Andrii Melnyk, LL.M., Permanent Representative of Ukraine to the United Nations, and Dr. Svitlana Melnyk, Spouse of the Permanent Representative of Ukraine to the United Nations, presents a musical tribute commemorating the 40th anniversary of the Chornobyl catastrophe. Violinist Solomiya Ivakhiv and pianists Steven Beck and Pavlo Gintov perform a deeply expressive program honoring the 1986 tragedy while celebrating the vibrant and enduring legacy of Ukraine’s musical heritage. All proceeds go directly toward supporting Ukrainian culture.
Lucía
May 1
La Jolla Music Society
The Conrad Prebys Performing Arts Center
8584593728
7600 Fay Avenue
La Jolla, CA United States
(858) 459-3728
boxoffice@theconrad.orghttp://https://theconrad.org/events/lucia/ Lucía, the first Mexican finalist at the prestigious Sarah Vaughan International Jazz Vocal Competition, has captivated audiences across Mexico, Canada, and the U.S.—with standout performances at iconic venues like Carnegie Hall and Jazz at Lincoln Center. Now making her San Diego debut in The JAI, Lucía brings an unforgettable evening of jazz standards and Latin American classics, showcasing her stunning voice, emotional depth, and undeniable stage presence. Don’t miss this rising star of contemporary jazz at The Conrad!
Miro Magloire's New Chamber Ballet
05/01/2026
New Chamber Ballet
Mark Morris Dance Center
Audrey Ross/Publicity, 929.222.3973
3 Lafayette Avenue
Brooklyn, NY United States
9292223973
audreyrosspub@aol.comhttp://https://newchamberballet.com Choreographer Miro Magloire, a champion of new music, presents his New Chamber Ballet in works set to music by Mozart, and to contemporary composers Elizabeth Gartman and Richard Carrick. Music played live by Doori Na, violinist, and Melody
Fader, pianist.
May 2, 2026
Ben Franklin's Musical Curiosity
May 2, 2026
Museum of Worcester
Museum of Worcester
Worcester, MA United States http://www.oldpostroad.org Delve into the fascinating history of Franklin’s musical circles, both at home in America and in Paris at the soirées of composer Anne Brillon de Jouy. Enjoy an alluring bouquet of songs and instrumental works by Francis Hopkinson, John Antes, James Oswald, C.F. Abel, Brillon de Jouy, and Franklin himself! With soprano Emily Siar.
Camerata RCO @ Dumbarton Concerts
05.02.26
Dumbarton Concerts
Box Office, office@dumbartonconcerts.org, 202-965-2000
3133 Dumbarton St NW
Washington, DC United States
2029652000
office@dumbartonconcerts.orghttp://https://dumbartonconcerts.org/camerata-rco Royal Concertgebouw musicians pay homage to chamber music greats
We close our 48th season with a triumphant return to our stage. The Camerata RCO, comprised of individual musicians from Amsterdam’s Royal Concertgebouw Orchestra, was a smashing success in their last appearance with us, and they return with an eclectic and charming selection of chamber music essentials. We explore the nimble elegance of Mozart and the emotional depth of Brahms, and the program is crowned with an original arrangement of Dvo?ák’s Seventh Symphony, a broad and dramatic ode to the composer’s famously patriotic Czech identity. Come celebrate with us at the end of another sensational season.
W.A. Mozart Trio for Clarinet, Viola, and Piano, (“Kegelstatt”)
Johannes Brahms Trio for Horn, Violin, and Piano
Antonín Dvorák Symphony No. 7 in D Minor, arr. de Vlieger
Kronos Quartet: Three Bones
May 2
UCSB Arts & Lectures, Campbell Hall
UCSB Arts & Lectures, Campbell Hall
Santa Barbara, CA United States http://https://artsandlectures.ucsb.edu/events-tickets/events/25-26/kr Kronos Quartet gives the West Coast premiere of its latest large-scale project: Three Bones, a multimedia theatrical experience that explores the histories of Indigenous, Gullah-Geechee, and Chinese American communities in the United States. More than three years in the making, Three Bones is a characteristically ambitious blend of live performance, video, visual art, recordings, and environmental sound. The three-act presentation celebrates the transmission and amplification of cultural histories through sound, as captured in vintage recordings and brought to life via performance.
May 3, 2026
Angélique Kidjo
May 3
La Jolla Music Society
The Conrad Prebys Performing Arts Center
8584593728
7600 Fay Avenue
La Jolla, CA United States
(858) 459-3728
boxoffice@theconrad.orghttp://https://theconrad.org/events/angelique-kidjo/ Five-time GRAMMY® Award winner Angélique Kidjo is one of the greatest artists in international music today, a creative force with sixteen albums to her name. Named by TIME Magazine as one of the 100 most influential people in the world, Kidjo cross-pollinates the West African traditions of her childhood with American R&B, funk, and jazz as well as influences from Europe and Latin America.
Ben Franklin's Musical Curiosity
May 3, 2026
Shirley-Eustis House
Shirley-Eustis House
Roxbury, MA United States http://www.oldpostroad.org Delve into the fascinating history of Franklin’s musical circles, both at home in America and in Paris at the soirées of composer Anne Brillon de Jouy. Enjoy an alluring bouquet of songs and instrumental works by Francis Hopkinson, John Antes, James Oswald, C.F. Abel, Brillon de Jouy, and Franklin himself! With soprano Emily Siar.
Composers Concordance and Joe's Pub Present: 'Animals Carnaval' Anne Akiko Meyers - Gene Pritsker’s Sound Liberation
Sunday, May 3rd, 6pm
Joe's Pub
genepritsker@gmail.com
425 Lafayette St., NYC
New York City, NY United States http://https://composersconcordance.wixsite.com/2025-26-season New York, NY — On Sunday, May 3rd, 2026 at 6:00 PM, GRAMMY Award–winning violinist Anne Akiko Meyers joins composer Gene Pritsker and his boldly eclectic ensemble Sound Liberationfor an evening of genre-defying music presented by Composers Concordance.
The program is highlighted by the New York premiere of Pritsker’s Animals Carnaval. Commissioned by Meyers, Animals Carnaval is a reimagining of Camille Saint-Saëns’s The Carnival of the Animals, infused with the rhythmic vitality and harmonic richness of Brazilian musical traditions, including samba, bossa nova, and choro. The work offers a fresh perspective on a beloved classic, blending classical form with the celebratory spirit of Carnaval.
May 4, 2026
Cinco de Mayo Celebration
April 25 to May 4
North South Consonance, Inc
Klavierhaus
Max Lifchitz
790 11th Ave
New York, NY United States ns.concerts@att.nethttp://https://www.northsouthmusic.org/Calendar Max Lifchitz marks the Cinco de Mayo Holiday performing music by composers from Mexico and the US.
The program showcases works by renowned Mexican composers Carlos Chavez, Manuel M. Ponce, and Silvestre Revueltas, as well as American composers Marshall Bialosky and Aaron Copland. It highlights three pieces that reflect a cosmopolitan perspective, specifically written for Mr. Lifchitz by Manuel Enriquez, Robert Fleisher, and William Ortiz. Additionally, the program features the U.S. premiere of a work by Emiliana de Zubeldia, who was born in Spain but spent most of her adult life in Mexico.
May 7, 2026
Bronx Opera
05/07/2026
Bronx Opera
Lehman College/Lovinger Theater
Audrey Ross/Publicity, 929.222.3973
250 Bedford Pk Blvd. West
Bronx, NY United States
9292223973
audreyrosspub@aol.comhttp://https://https:/bronxopera.org The Bronx Opera will present Richard Strauss' beloved Ariadne auf Naxos, performed mostly in English, May 7, 9 & 10. The Company will present the revised version, which contains a prologue and an opera, originally premiered in 1916. Leading roles will be performed by Renee Macdonald as the Prima Donna/Ariadne; Michael Celentano, the Tenor/Bacchus; and Hannah Friesen as Zerbinetta; conductor is Eric Kramer.
May 8, 2026
Newport Classical: Zijian Wei performs Ravel and Liszt
May 8
Newport Classical
Newport Classical Recital Hall
42 Dearborn St
Newport, RI United States info@newportclassical.orghttp://https://newportclassical.org/event/zijian-wei-performs-ravel-an Pianist James Zijian Wei makes his highly anticipated Newport debut following a sweeping first-prize win at the 2024 Cleveland International Piano Competition. A standout among China’s rising generation of pianists, Wei has earned international acclaim on major stages and has been recognized with top prizes at the Lang Lang Cup, the China Grand Canal Festival, and the Beijing International Chopin Competition. For his recital, Wei presents a program of Barber, Ravel, Liszt, and more showcasing the magnetic energy of a major artist on the rise.
On Pointe Dance Festival
May 8&10
Neville Dance Theatre
Arts on Site
Brenda Neville
12 St Marks Pl.
New York, NY United States
917-517-2175
dance@nevilledance.orghttp://https://nevilledance.org/events The third annual On Pointe Dance Festival returns this Spring, 2026! Don't miss your chance to witness NYC's dance festival presented by Neville Dance Theatre, that brings ballet's full-bodied stylistic spectrum of bold and beautiful works performed exclusively on pointe!
Experience new work premieres by guest choreographer's Niamh Rollins and Ashley Taylor, plus repertory favorites from Neville Dance Theatre on both days! AND catch featured works from guest artists/companies in two, unique programs presented across two calendar dates: Ballet Embody / Melissa Lineburg, Pangea Dance Collective / Claire Pennington, Syracuse City Ballet, and Thomas/Ortiz Dance on 5/8; and Ballet Embody / Melissa Lineburg, Chloe Rain Russell, Dance Key West / Kyla Piscopink, Julianne Cerreta, and Kara Skaptason on 5/10!
Join us on Friday, May 8th at 7:30pm and Sunday, May 10th at 3:30pm - see one, see BOTH!
Soaring Melodies – Adelphi Orchestra | Elgar, Glazunov, Beethoven
May 8
Adelphi Orchestra
River Dell High School auditorium
Adelphi Orchestra
55 pyle st
Oradell, NJ United States
2014770406
aoinfo@adelphiorchestra.orghttp://https://www.adelphiorchestra.org/ he Adelphi Orchestra, conducted by Kyunghun Kim, presents Soaring Melodies, an inspiring program showcasing the expressive power of the orchestra and virtuosic solo performance. The program opens with Elgar’s Serenade for Strings, a lyrical and richly textured work that highlights the warmth of the ensemble. Acclaimed violinist Miranda Isbitts performs Glazunov’s Violin Concerto, a Romantic showpiece known for its seamless form, soaring melodies, and technical brilliance. The program concludes with Beethoven’s Symphony No. 2, a vibrant and optimistic work that marks a pivotal moment in the composer’s artistic evolution. Performances take place on Friday, May 8, 2026 at 7:30 PM at River Dell High School Auditorium and Saturday, May 16, 2026 at 2:00 PM at Broadway Presbyterian Church.
May 9, 2026
Composers Concordance Presents: My Guitar Wants To Kill Your Mama Guitar Quartet: Unplugged
Saturday, May 9th at 7:00 PM
Salomon Arts Gallery
genepritsker@gmail.com
83 Leonard St #4 Floor
New York City, NY United States
+1 646-522-9442
composersconcordance@gmail.comhttp://https://composersconcordance.wixsite.com/2025-26-season New York, NY — New York, NY — Composers Concordance proudly presents My Guitar Wants To Kill Your Mama Guitar Quartet: “Unplugged”, an intimate evening of adventurous new music for acoustic guitars, joined by violin and spoken word. The performance will take place on Saturday, May 9th, at 7:00 pm at Salomon Arts Gallery.
This unique concert features original works by an eclectic group of composers including Bruce Arnold, Jane Getter, Gene Pritsker, Eugene W. McBride, Machiko Ozawa, and Frank Zappa. The program highlights the expressive possibilities of the acoustic guitar in a chamber setting, blending contemporary classical, jazz, rock, and experimental influences.
Hayato Sumino
May 9
La Jolla Music Society
The Conrad Prebys Performing Arts Center
8584593728
7600 Fay Avenue
La Jolla, CA United States
(858) 459-3728
boxoffice@theconrad.orghttp://https://theconrad.org/events/hayato-sumino/ In this multiple keyboard recital, Hayato Sumino will exhibit his brilliant melding of classical technique with improvisational skills, bringing a fresh and innovative approach to piano music.
Sumino has performed with leading orchestras worldwide and shares his unique style on his YouTube channel which boasts over 1.3 million subscribers.
May 10, 2026
Ken Cowan Organ Concert
Sunday, May 10, 3:30 PM
Arts Empowering Life
Pam Jordan
Church of the Transfiguration, 5 Bay View Drive
Orleans, MA United States
(508) 240-2400
publicity@artsempoweringlife.orghttp://https://artsempoweringlife.org/ael-events/ Do not miss this exquisite concert by organist and virtuoso Ken Cowan, Head of the Organ Program at Rice University’s Shepherd School of Music in Houston, Texas. The surround-sound St. Cecilia organ and “Mr. Cowan’s technical mastery, expressivity, musicality, and sheer brilliance....” (The American Organist) will excite and amaze you. Tickets: 508-240-2400 | artsempoweringlife.org (Free for Students & Youth)
Mother's Day High Tea at the Opera
May 10, 2026
Hungarian House of New York
213 East 82nd Street
New York, NY United States
2122499360
hungarianhousenyc@gmail.comhttp://https://www.hungarianhouse.org/event-details/mothers-day-high-t A Mother's Day celebration of all that is lovely, join Amore Opera and AFHLE, Hungarian House for a high-tea at the opera experience, a mélange of operatic music during yum cha accompanied by strudel and dim-sum.
We are excited to invite you to a special fundraiser benefit concert and celebration that promises not only to honor the spirit of motherhood but also will help bring the much-anticipated "Faust" to the stage of Amore Opera later this year and help share the beauty of Hungarian culture by supporting the mission of Hungarian House. Securing your tickets is a gesture of love and appreciation, offering the mothers and mother-figures in your life an experience filled with enchanting musical performances, a lovely afternoon high-tea, and lasting fond memories.
Mozart, Bellini, Durante, Schubert, Bizet, Saint-Saëns, Kálmán, Mascagni, Dvo?ák, Beach, Boito, Gastaldon, Puccini
Artists: Rebecca Grady, Yeawon Jun, Vee Visnov, Tomoko Nago, Nikhil Krishna, Charles Gray,Jihye Seo
Tunde Csonka, Ildiko
Roby Lakatos Ensemble – Russell Hill Rogers Musical Evenings
May 11
Music Mondays
Advent Lutheran Church
Aaron Wunsch
2504 Broadway at 93rd Street
New York, NY United States Norma@musicmondays.orghttp://https://www.musicmondays.org/may-2026 The Parker Quartet brings its “exceptional virtuosity [and] imaginative interpretation” (Washington Post) to Schubert’s searing “Death and the Maiden” Quartet, 200 years after its premiere in 1826. They are joined by renowned Schubert interpreter, tenor Nicholas Phan, for the song on which the Quartet is based. Phan, “one of the world’s most remarkable singers” (Boston Globe), also offers Schubert’s great song cycle, Die schöne Müllerin (The Beautiful Miller’s Daughter), with Music Mondays Artistic Director, Aaron Wunsch.
May 12, 2026
Sejong Soloists Gala Concert
May 12, 2026
Sejong Soloists
Zankel Hall at Carnegie Hall
Chris Brymer
881 7th Avenue at 56th Street
New York, NY United States
917-902-6796
cbrymer@sejongsolo.orghttp://https://www.carnegiehall.org/Calendar/2026/05/12/Sejong-Soloist Sejong Soloists’ Gala concert brings together Metropolitan Opera artists and longtime Sejong friends for a one-night celebration, featuring tenor Lawrence Brownlee, countertenor Anthony Roth Costanzo, violinist Chee-Yun, and soprano Hera Hyesang Park. In keeping with Sejong’s emphasis on collaboration and virtuosity, the program combines vocal favorites with sparkling instrumental gems. The evening is co-hosted by Emmy Award–winning journalist Paula Zahn and Anthony Roth Costanzo.
May 13, 2026
Cutting Edge Concerts presents Whistling Hens
May 13
Cutting Edge Concerts New Music Festival
Symphony Space
2537 Broadway at 95th St
New York, United States http://https://www.symphonyspace.org/events/vp-cutting-edge-concerts-n Whistling Hens - soprano Jennifer Piazza-Pick and clarinetist Natalie Groom - perform the world premiere of Victoria Bond's "Lingerie" alongside works by Judith Shatin, Sonia Morales-Matos, and more.
Whistling Hens performs and commissions music by women composers. The duo’s name was plucked from a quote by a music critic, “women composers are at best whistling hens.”
May 14, 2026
Epic Wagner—Legends & Lore
May 14 to 16
Roy Thomson Hall
contactus@tso.ca
60 Simcoe St, Toronto, ON M5J 2H5
Toronto, ON Canada
416.598.3375
msergio@tso.cahttp://https://www.tso.ca/concerts-and-events/events/epic-wagner?utm_s South African cellist Abel Selaocoe is a force of nature—celebrated for breaking boundaries and captivating audiences around the globe. He brings his unique artistry to the North American Première of Jessie Montgomery’s powerful new Cello Concerto. The evening then soars into mythic realms with the haunting legend of The Flying Dutchman and the sweeping grandeur of Götterdämmerung—a tale of betrayal, love, sacrifice, and the twilight of the gods.
The Black Clown - Opera Philadelphia
May 14, 15, 16, 17
Opera Philadelphia
Miller Theater
250 S Broad St.
Philadelphia, PA United States http://https://www.operaphila.org/whats-on/2526-season/the-black-clown The Black Clown
Philadelphia Premiere
Creator and opera revolutionary Davóne Tines brings Langston Hughes’ poem “The Black Clown” to musical life in a vaudevillian rendering of this masterpiece. Fusing gospel, opera, jazz, and spirituals into a searing night of theatrical brilliance, The Black Clown embodies the evolving, divided soul of Black America and animates a Black man’s resilience against a legacy of oppression. The Black Clown has been hailed as “pure poetry” by The Boston Globe, and The New York Times lauds “this rich, seamless production melds the past and present of African-American history into an electrifyingly ambivalent whole.” Tines makes his Opera Philadelphia debut alongside an ensemble of 12 performers in this genre-bending, visually arresting piece, juxtaposing dazzling cathartic performances with Hughes’ enduring work.
All tickets are Pick Your Price, starting at $11. In addition, $10 rush tickets will be available before the performance.
Tracy Drain: Cosmic Adventures
May 14
La Jolla Music Society
The Conrad Prebys Performing Arts Center
8584593728
7600 Fay Avenue
La Jolla, CA United States
(858) 459-3728
boxoffice@theconrad.orghttp://https://theconrad.org/events/tracy-drain-cosmic-adventures/ Discover the marvels of our cosmic backyard through the eyes of the robotic spacecraft sent out to explore it. Aerospace engineer and National Geographic Explorer Tracy Drain works at NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory to develop, test, and operate the complex machines that uncover some of the countless mysteries within (and way beyond!) our solar system. Among her projects: rovers on Mars, a mission to Jupiter, and a hunt for exoplanets that reshaped our entire understanding of the galaxy.
May 15, 2026
Ali Paris
May 15
La Jolla Music Society
The Conrad Prebys Performing Arts Center
858
7600 Fay Ave
La Jolla, CA United States
8584593728
boxoffice@theconrad.orghttp://https://theconrad.org/events/2026-ali-paris/ Blending Middle Eastern music with elements of jazz and Western classical styles, Ali Paris has captivated audiences with his mastery on the qanun, a traditional instrument dating back to the 14th century.
He’s performed all across the country—from the Kennedy Center to Lincoln Center and beyond. Hear his unforgettable global rhythms at The Conrad in the Wu Tsai QRT.yrd!
BYU A Cappella Groups: Noteworthy & Vocal Point
May 15, 2026, 7:30 PM
Arts Empowering Life
Pam Jordan
Performing Arts Center, 95 Southern Eagle Cartway
Brewster, MA United States
(508) 240-2400
publicity@artsempoweringlife.orghttp://https://artsempoweringlife.org/ael-events/ You won’t want to miss the fourteen young voices of the BYU a cappella groups Vocal Point and Noteworthy! They captivate audiences throughout the world with their stunning, high-energy performances and elaborate music videos. With a wide range of vocal possibilities these family-friendly crowd-pleasers have it all: rock, pop, country, jazz and R&B. Check them out on Youtube and bring the whole family! Tickets: 508-240-2400 | artsempoweringlife.org (Free for Students & Youth)
Riverdance 30 - The New Generation
May 15 - May 17
Segerstrom Center for the Arts
600 Town Center Dr
Costa Mesa, CA United States
714-556-2787
http://www.scfta.org/events/2026/riverdance Since Riverdance first emerged onto the world stage, its fusion of Irish and international dance and music has captured the hearts of millions worldwide. The Grammy award-winning music and the infectious energy of its mesmerizing choreography and breathtaking performances has left audiences in awe and established Riverdance as a global cultural sensation.
To celebrate this incredible 30th year milestone, Riverdance will embark on a special anniversary tour, bringing its magic to audiences around the world. This spectacular production rejuvenates the much-loved original show with new innovative choreography and costumes and state of the art lighting, projection and motion graphics. And for the first time Riverdance welcomes “The New Generation” of performers, all of whom were not born when show began 30 years ago.
John McColgan, Director of Riverdance said “It is both a privilege and a delight to celebrate 30 years of Riverdance and the unique journey it has taken us on.
May 16, 2026
America250 Mini-Summit
May 16, 2026
Early Music America
specialprojects@earlymusicamerica.org
Virtual
United States specialprojects@earlymusicamerica.orghttp://https://events.ringcentral.com/events/ema-america250/registrati Early Music America will present the America250 Mini-Summit virtually on Saturday May 16, 2026, 12pm-5pm ET/9am-2pm PT.
In this mini-summit, Early Music America explores music at the founding of the United States, the complexities and considerations surrounding the musical traditions of the time, and how modern artists and organizations are approaching this period.
Schedule (all times US Eastern)
12:00pm: Commemorating Early America in Times of Trouble
1:15pm: More Influence than a Cicero: Using the American War for Independence as a Lens for Investigating the Role and Development of Late-18th-Century Wind Bands
2:30pm: America 250? We Are Infinity: Existence Beyond 250 Years through Indigenous Resonance
3:45pm: The Soundworld of Early America's Black String Bands
Pay-what-you-can registration is open now.
All registrations include on-demand viewing of sessions through June 30.
Shenel Johns
May 16
La Jolla Music Society
The Conrad Prebys Performing Arts Center
8584593728
7600 Fay Avenue
La Jolla, CA United States
(858) 459-3728
boxoffice@theconrad.orghttp://https://theconrad.org/events/shenel/ Shenel Johns is a dynamic jazz musician whose captivating stage presence and impressive vocal range are rooted in her early exposure to reggae and gospel. A graduate of the Hartt School, where she received mentorship from Jackie McLean’s esteemed alumni, Johns passionately shares her musical gifts globally, mentoring young artists and performing in residencies from Shanghai to Mexico. Winner of the Riga Jazz Stage Vocal Competition, she has collaborated with jazz luminaries like Wynton Marsalis and Damien Sneed, seamlessly blending traditional gospel, jazz, and diasporic influences in renowned venues and festivals worldwide, including recent performances with the Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra and in tribute to Max Roach.
Soaring Melodies – Adelphi Orchestra | Elgar, Glazunov, Beethoven
May 16
Adelphi Orchestra
Broadway Presbyterian Church
Adelphi Orchestra
601 West 114 St
New York, NY United States
2014770406
aoinfo@adelphiorchestra.orghttp://https://www.adelphiorchestra.org/ he Adelphi Orchestra, conducted by Kyunghun Kim, presents Soaring Melodies, an inspiring program showcasing the expressive power of the orchestra and virtuosic solo performance. The program opens with Elgar’s Serenade for Strings, a lyrical and richly textured work that highlights the warmth of the ensemble. Acclaimed violinist Miranda Isbitts performs Glazunov’s Violin Concerto, a Romantic showpiece known for its seamless form, soaring melodies, and technical brilliance. The program concludes with Beethoven’s Symphony No. 2, a vibrant and optimistic work that marks a pivotal moment in the composer’s artistic evolution. Performances take place on Friday, May 8, 2026 at 7:30 PM at River Dell High School Auditorium and Saturday, May 16, 2026 at 2:00 PM at Broadway Presbyterian Church.
Verdi's Requiem
May 16
Portland Opera
Keller Auditorium
concierge@portlandopera.org
222 SW Clay St
Portland, OR United States
5032411802
concierge@portlandopera.orghttp://https://www.portlandopera.org/performances-tickets/25-26-season Verdi’s Requiem reaches directly into the soul. It is a powerful, emotional journey through life, death, and the hope for something greater. Verdi’s masterpiece carries the weight of his deep personal loss, yet speaks universally to the struggles we all face: the pain of grief, the fear of the unknown, and the search for peace.?
Performed by featured vocalists and the entirety of the Portland Opera Orchestra and Chorus, this one-night-only production will electrify the Keller Auditorium for an evening you will never forget.
May 17, 2026
Sh*t L*szt - Part of the 14th Annual CompCord Festival – Comedy
Sunday, May 17th
St. Mark's Church in-the-Bowery
genepritsker@gmail.com
131 E. 10th St., NYC
New York City, NY United States
+1 646-522-9442
composersconcordance@gmail.comhttp://https://composersconcordance.wixsite.com/2025-26-season New York, NY - Composers Concordance launches its 14th Annual CompCord Festival – Comedy with Sh*t L*szt, a daring, humorous, and genre-bending concert that takes apart the myth, spectacle, and excesses of Franz Liszt. Through inventive new works, spoken word, and fearless performance, the program reimagines Romantic virtuosity with wit, irreverence, and bold creativity.
Featured works include: Shit List by Gene Pritsker, for baritone, soprano, violin, and guitar; To do Liszt by Leo Genovese; and B.ovine S.cherzo for solo viola by Audrey Morse.
May 21, 2026
28th Annual MATA Festival
May 21 to 23
The DiMenna Center for Classical Music
450 W 37th St
New York, NY, NY United States http://https://www.matafestival.org/mata-festival-2026 Without a doubt, the 28th Annual MATA Festival is the liveliest and most interesting musical event happening in NYC on Memorial Day weekend, May 21 - 23. Ever since the Festival was co-founded by Philip Glass in the 1990s, it has been the prime opportunity for concertgoers to hear “Tomorrow’s Music Today.”
This year’s programs are fascinating and provocative – tap-dancing to music by Morton Feldman and Steve Reich, anyone? – and the performers are top-notch, including violinists Miranda Cuckson, Conrad Harris, and Leah Asher, pianists Marilyn Nonken and Taka Kigawa, BlackBox Ensemble, Unnameable Strings, and tap/pointe dance company The Bang Group, among others. Plus, there’s a six-hour experimental “rave” on May 20! All in all, the MATA Festival is not to be missed.
May 22, 2026
Memorial Day Band Concert
May 22-23
Arts Empowering Life
Pam Jordan
Performing Arts Center, 95 Southern Eagle Cartway
Brewster, MA United States
(508) 240-2400
publicity@artsempoweringlife.orghttp://https://artsempoweringlife.org/ael-events/ May 22 and 23, 7:30 PM
Performing Arts Center, Brewster
This America 250 concert celebrates LIBERTY on Memorial Day weekend and honors all who gave the ultimate sacrifice in defense of these unalienable rights. Works by John Williams, Glenn Miller and John Philip Sousa. Info: 508-240-2400 | artsempoweringlife.org (Free for Veterans!, and Students & Youth)
May 23, 2026
Celebrate Reggae
Sat. & Sun., May 23 & 24, 2026 9:00 a.m.
Musical Instrument Museum
4725 E. Mayo Blvd.
Phoenix, AZ United States
(480) 478-6000
margo.silliman@mim.orghttp://https://mim.org/events/celebrate-reggae/2026-05-24/ Celebrate the rich musical heritage, global journey, and worldwide impact of reggae! Learn about the genre’s roots and offshoots in all-ages drumming workshops, engaging performances, and high-energy DJ sets. Included with $20 museum general admission.
May 26, 2026
Go Your Own Way: After Sonata Form
May 26
La Jolla Music Society
The Conrad Prebys Performing Arts Center
8584593728
7600 Fay Ave
La Jolla, CA United States
8584593728
boxoffice@theconrad.orghttp://https://theconrad.org/events/music-101-session-5/ Engage with history in this introduction to Western classical music! Led by Michael Gerdes, Director of Orchestras at San Diego State University and a longtime guest lecturer for our organization, this free, five-part public series is designed for anyone curious about the composers, works, and cultural movements that shaped the music we know and love. No prior musical background is required. Each lecture builds on the previous one, yet every session stands on its own, so you can join at any point in the series.
May 27, 2026
Rebecca Jade
May 27
La Jolla Music Society
The Conrad Prebys Performing Arts Center
8584593728
7600 Fay Ave
La Jolla, CA United States
8584593728
boxoffice@theconrad.orghttp://https://theconrad.org/events/2026-rebecca-jade/ Rebecca Jade is a dynamic singer/songwriter whose career spans nearly two decades, fueled by her musical upbringing and versatile talent. She has shared the stage with world-renowned artists, toured with Sheila E. since 2017, performed with Sir Elton John at the Academy Awards, and appeared on the Emmy-nominated “Let’s Go Crazy: The GRAMMY Salute to Prince.” Her collaborations include Dave Koz & Friends, Eric Darius, and led opening performances for Will Downing, Boney James, Jeffrey Osborne, and Musiq Soulchild.
May 29, 2026
J. S. Bach’s St. Matthew Passion, BWV 244
May 29-30
Arts Empowering Life
Pam Jordan
Church of the Transfiguration, 5 Bay View Drive
Orleans, MA United States
(508) 240-2400
publicity@artsempoweringLife.orghttp://https://artsempoweringlife.org/ael-events/ May 29 and 30, 7:30 - 9:00 pm
Gloriæ Dei Cantores and Creare Symphonia, under the direction of Richard K. Pugsley and joined by internationally acclaimed soloists, present Bach's St. Matthew Passion, perhaps the greatest masterpiece in all of sacred music, written for solo voices, double choir and double orchestra. Come hear this work of supreme beauty and profound emotion—telling the story of Christ's last days—in the stunning acoustic of the Church of the Transfiguration. Info: 508-240-2400 | artsempoweringlife.org (Free for Students & Youth)
May 30, 2026
The Atlanta Opera presents "Twilight of the Gods" (Gotterdammerung)
May 30 to June 7, 2026
The Atlanta Opera
Cobb Energy Performing Arts Centre
Michelle Winters
2800 Cobb Galleria Parkway
Atlanta, GA United States
404.881.8885
tickets@atlantaopera.orghttp://https://www.atlantaopera.org/production/twilight-of-the-gods-20 Few works rival the intensity and monumental scope of Richard Wagner's "Twilight of the Gods." This new production is the climactic finale of The Atlanta Opera's Ring cycle. Under the direction of Tomer Zvulun and conducted by Roberto Kalb, this production stars Stefan Vinke as Siegfried, Morris Robinson as Hagen, Lise Lindstrom as Brunnhilde, and Tamara Mumford as Waltraute.
May 31, 2026
Stella Chen, violin & Gilles Vonsattel, piano
May 31
La Jolla Music Society
The Conrad Prebys Performing Arts Center
8584593728
7600 Fay Avenue
La Jolla, CA United States
(858) 459-3728
boxoffice@theconrad.orghttp://https://theconrad.org/events/stella-chen-gilles-vonsattel/ STELLA CHEN, violin
Winner of the 2019 Queen Elizabeth International Violin Competition
GILLES VONSATTEL, piano
Avery Fischer Career Grant Recipient