Washington Performing Arts Announces 25/26 Season

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CONTACT 
Amanda Sweet
(347) 564-3371
amanda@bucklesweet.com

 

 

WASHINGTON PERFORMING ARTS ANNOUNCES 2025/26 SEASON:

THE CITY IS OUR STAGE 

Washington Performing Arts’s 60th season features exhilarating artistic collaborations, community and creative partnerships, and immersive performance experiences in six venues

 

Highlights include: 

• Visits by major orchestras: Chicago Symphony Orchestra under music director designate Klaus Mäkelä and London’s Philharmonia Orchestra with star pianist Víkingur Ólafsson under principal conductor Santtu-Matias Rouvali
  
  
• Hayes Piano Series curated by 2025/26 Ambassador for the Arts Sir András Schiff, featuring three of his outstanding current or former students: Avery Gagliano, Mishka Rushdie Momen, and Julia Hamos
  
  
• Annual Ruth Bader Ginsburg Memorial Concert, with Sigourney Weaver joining the Pacifica Quartet as narrator on new works by Gabriela Lena Frank and Jennifer Higdon
  
  
• Danish String Quartet with the Danish National Girls’ Choir performing a new co-commission by David Lang
  
  
• Recitals by cellist Yo-Yo Ma, violinist Midori, and pianists Jean-Yves Thibaudet, Igor Levit, and Vadym Kholodenko
  
  
• “America at 250” program featuring bass-baritone Davóne Tines with early-music ensemble Ruckus
• Third Coast Percussion and tabla player Salar Nader performing Zakir Hussain’s final completed work, the Washington Performing Arts co-commissioned Murmurs in Time
  
  
• Annual Martin Luther King, Jr. gospel music celebration concert “Living the Dream… Singing the Dream” featuring the Washington Performing Arts Gospel Choirs, plus a season-closing gospel concert
  
  
• Free concert series featuring artists from the capital region at Songbyrd Music House and Tregaron Conservancy as part of Mars Arts D.C. programming

  

(Washington, D.C.): Washington Performing Arts announces its 2025/26 Season under the theme The City is Our Stage, running from October 2025 through May 2026 in six venues across the Washington, D.C., region. Embracing its role as a cultural convener for the greater D.C. area, Washington Performing Arts upholds its commitment to presenting internationally acclaimed artists while nurturing emerging talent and providing arts access to all through free community programming in unique places and spaces from parks to concert halls. For decades, the organization has presented exceptional artists in distinctive venues across the region, with each pairing designed to complement the performance and elevate the audience experience. As an independent arts presenter, Washington Performing Arts thoughtfully matches each project with the setting that best serves its artistic vision.

This season, Washington Performing Arts will not utilize The Kennedy Center but will present its robust season in dynamic spaces, including the Music Center at Strathmore, Sixth & I, Church of the Epiphany, Howard University’s Cramton Auditorium, the Hopkins Bloomberg Center Theater, and Lisner Auditorium. 

The 2025/26 season emphasizes the transformative power of live performances as a unifying force, highlighting how the arts revitalize individuals and communities, inspire discovery, and forge meaningful connections among audiences.

"At Washington Performing Arts, excellence, community, and connection are at the core of everything we do. In our 2025/26 season, The City is Our Stage, we invite audiences to immerse themselves in performances by a remarkable array of bold and inventive artists from across the region and around the world. Their work is the heartbeat of their deep humanity and creative spirit,” said President and CEO Jenny Bilfield. “Each program is a jewel, thoughtfully curated and thematically compelling. In these complex times, it is more crucial than ever to share spaces where we can feel seen, welcomed, heard, and nourished. I am deeply grateful for the artists and audiences who bring the Washington Performing Arts mission to life."

 

EXPANSIVE NEW COMMISSIONS & PROJECTS

Each season, Washington Performing Arts presents programs that fit within a wider cultural conversation, featuring unique collaborations, compelling new works, and themes that artists are passionate about. Film icon Sigourney Weaver joins the Grammy Award–winning Pacifica Quartet at Sixth & I for Washington Performing Arts’s annual Ruth Bader Ginsburg Memorial Concert. Weaver joins the Quartet as narrator for two world-premiere commissioned works: Pulitzer Prize-winner Jennifer Higdon’s tribute to Justice Ginsburg, and Gabriela Lena Frank’s portrait of environmental icon Rachel Carson (April 12). In cooperation with Washington Bach Consort at Sixth & I, bass-baritone Davóne Tines and early-music ensemble Ruckus bring their program What is your hand in this? as part of the nationwide “America at 250” celebration. Through boldly reimagined songs, hymns, and ballads spanning four centuries, this gripping program explores the tensions and hopes of the American experiment (January 28). Lauded by The Washington Post as “one of the best string quartets before the public today,” the Danish String Quartet specializes in programs that illuminate classic and contemporary works alongside music rooted in the musical traditions of the Nordic countries. In a powerful collaboration, the quartet will be joined by the acclaimed 50-member Danish National Girls’ Choir for the world premiere of in wildness, a new work co-commissioned by Washington Performing Arts and composed by Pulitzer Prize-winner David Lang. The evening’s program also features music by fellow Pulitzer Prize-winner Caroline Shaw and renowned Icelandic composer Anna Thorvaldsdottir, both of whom have previously been commissioned and presented by Washington Performing Arts, as well as arrangements of traditional folk tunes (April 18).

 

INTERNATIONALLY ACCLAIMED ORCHESTRAS

As part of its legacy of bringing premier orchestral experiences to Washington audiences, Washington Performing Arts presents one European and one American orchestra in the 2025/26 season at the Music Center at Strathmore. From London, the Philharmonia Orchestra returns to Washington Performing Arts for the first time since 2003 and now with their music director Santtu-Matias Rouvali. Audiences will hear a new work by Gabriela Ortiz, Sibelius’s Symphony No. 5, and Ravel’s Piano Concerto in G Major featuring piano soloist Víkingur Ólafsson—a “hypnotic presence at the keyboard” (The Guardian)—who made his Washington Performing Arts Hayes Piano Series debut in 2022 (October 27). The Chicago Symphony Orchestra, consistently ranked as one of America’s top orchestras, returns under the baton of their electrifying music director designate Klaus Mäkelä, called “the fastest-rising maestro of his generation” by The New York Times, and who Washington Performing Arts audiences experienced in the 2024/25 season as conductor of the Royal Concertgebouw Orchestra. In their first area appearance since 2017, the CSO performs Beethoven’s Symphony No. 7 and Berlioz’s Symphonie Fantastique, a wildly imaginative, hallucinatory tale of love, obsession, and dreams gone awry (February 27).

 

BELOVED RECITALISTS

Washington Performing Arts is known for cultivating long and close relationships with today’s most exciting classical artists, with whom audiences anticipate hearing a variety of repertoire. Multi-Grammy Award winner, internationally recognized cellist, musical ambassador, and long-standing Washington Performing Arts friend Yo-Yo Ma returns for a solo cello evening at Strathmore (February 3). Over three decades, Jean-Yves Thibaudet has performed worldwide, recorded more than 50 albums, and built a reputation as one of today's finest pianists. He performs the complete Préludes (Books I & II) of his countryman Claude Debussy on his Strathmore recital (April 23).

 

At the historic Sixth & I synagogue, violinist Midori—2020 recipient of Washington Performing Arts’s Ambassador of the Arts Award for her extraordinary achievement, service, and advocacy —returns for a recital alongside pianist Ieva Jokubaviciute, performing works by Che Buford, Clara and Robert Schumann, Beethoven, Schubert, and Poulenc (November 15). Described by The New Yorker as “a pianist like no other,” Igor Levit, who made his Hayes Series debut in 2017, places his art in the context of social events and understands it as inseparably linked to them. At Sixth & I, Levit pairs Beethoven’s monumental Diabelli Variations with Frederic Rzewski’s The People United Will Never Be Defeated!, a tour de force of virtuosic brilliance and political fervor, originally co-commissioned by Washington Performing Arts in 1976 for the United States bicentennial (January 11). The 2025/26 season also welcomes Ukrainian pianist Vadym Kholodenko, winner of the 2013 Van Cliburn International Piano Competition, whose recital program at Sixth & I, includes Beethoven’s “Hammerklavier” Sonata, Liszt’s Grandes études de Paganini, and the 3 Préludes by Ukrainian composer Boris Lyatoshinsky (May 5).

 

A LAUNCHING PAD FOR DAZZLING NEW TALENT: THE HAYES PIANO SERIES

Named in honor of Washington Performing Arts’s founder Patrick Hayes and his wife, pianist and educator Evelyn Swarthout Hayes, the Washington Performing Arts Hayes Piano Series showcases the world’s finest emerging pianists in intimate recitals. This season’s Hayes Series is curated by Sir András Schiff, Washington Performing Arts’s 2025/26 Ambassador for the Arts, who selected three of his most promising current or former students from the Kronberg Academy. This year, all three Hayes Series recitals occur in the 375-seat Peabody Institute-affiliated Hopkins Bloomberg Center Theater on Pennsylvania Avenue NW, in the heart of downtown D.C., a new venue for Washington Performing Arts. The Hayes Piano Series is presented by Washington Performing Arts in collaboration with the Peabody Institute and Hopkins Bloomberg Center. Each program also features a free post-performance Linger Longer Q&A with the artists.

 

Avery Gagliano is a native of Washington, D.C., and a graduate of the Curtis Institute of Music; most recently, she was a finalist in the 2025 American Piano Awards. Her program of Robert Schumann, Barber, Bartók, Chopin, and Rachmaninoff encompasses Romantic fervor, American lyricism, Hungarian fire, and the introspective intensity of late-Romantic Russian works — each piece a canvas for her expressive brilliance (October 25). Hailed as ?“one of the most thoughtful and sensitive of British pianists” by The Times, Mishka Rushdie Momen captivates audiences with her refined and expressive playing. Her hauntingly beautiful program spans centuries of English music, from plainsong, William Byrd, and John Dowland to Thomas Adès (March 14). Julia Hamos combines her American and Hungarian roots with an adventurous spirit to explore the essence of repertoire ranging from Bach to living composers. Her Hayes recital program includes works by Haydn, Mozart, and Robert Schumann alongside modern Hungarian composers György Ligeti and György Kurtág (May 16). Each Hayes Piano Series recital also features a free, Linger Longer post-performance discussion with the artists.

 

ENDURING INSPIRATION: WASHINGTON PERFORMING ARTS GOSPEL CHOIRS

Washington Performing Arts is the only arts presenter in the nation with a resident gospel program, showcasing the powerful voices of the Children of the Gospel Choir (COTG), COTG Alumni, and the Men and Women of the Gospel Choir (MWOTG). These ensembles unite talented singers from across the D.C. region, offering exceptional vocal training and life-changing performance opportunities—from presidential inaugurations to civic and cultural celebrations. This season, the choirs perform alongside the Choral Arts Chorus in Living the Dream...Singing the Dream at Strathmore (Feb 15), and COTG and Alumni present their annual spring concert in May 2026. Through fully funded music education and mentorship valued at $5,000 per student, Washington Performing Arts’s gospel choirs continue their decades-long mission to nurture emerging talent and inspire audiences through the transformative power of gospel music. The choirs perform at prestigious events including presidential inaugurations, prayer breakfasts, the lighting of the National Christmas Tree at The White House, on stages throughout the capital region, and for a variety of significant civic events, and cultural celebrations.

 

COMMUNITY COLLABORATIONS & IMMERSIVE EXPERIENCES

Washington Performing Arts continues its legacy of regional collaborations and partnerships, working with creative communities, cultural institutions, and performance venues across the area to produce and present the very best in performing arts. Rooted in the motto of the organization's founder, Patrick Hayes, “Everybody in, nobody out,” these programs and collaborations celebrate the excellence of local artists and further enrich the vibrant D.C. arts community.

 

GLOBAL COLLABORATIONS

Washington Performing Arts proudly continues its decades-long commitment to showcasing the brilliance of South Asian musical traditions, a cornerstone of its programming history that deepens in the 2025/26 season with three distinctive performances. To open the season, Third Coast Percussion makes their Washington Performing Arts debut with a bittersweet program at Lisner Auditorium in tribute to the late tabla legend Zakir Hussain, one of Washington Performing Arts’s most beloved guest artists over the years. Third Coast and tabla player Salar Nader, a protégé of Hussain's, perform Hussain’s final completed work, Murmurs in Time (October 18), co-commissioned by Washington Performing Arts. The Ravi Shankar Ensemble is a collective of multi-generational musicians dedicated to the compositions and enduring legacy of Ravi Shankar; their program, co-curated by Shankar’s daughter Anoushka Shankar (who will not be performing but is a frequent Washington Performing Arts guest), is co-presented with Strathmore and in cooperation with District of Raga (March 19). Indian classical sarod player Ustad Amjad Ali Khan and his foremost disciples, sons Amaan Ali Bangash and Ayaan Ali Bangash, perform together as SAROD TRILOGY at Sixth & I (May 2).

 

 

FREE CONCERT PROGRAMMING: MARS ARTS D.C.

One of D.C.’s most scenic green spaces, Tregaron Conservancy in Northwest D.C., plays host to the Mars Arts D.C. autumnal outdoor concert Tregaron Unplugged (October 4) and spring Tregaron Meadow Concert (May 3). The fall event features stages throughout the park with acoustic performances, encouraging listeners to engage with the greenery while sampling different performances. Both performances are free and great for all ages.

 

This season, the Mars Arts D.C. Concert Series brings a vibrant lineup of regional talent to Songbyrd Music House, the 2023 Wammie winner for Best Music Venue. Highlights include Grammy-nominated vocalist Christie Dashiell; a powerhouse night of Americana, blues, and roots-rock with vocalists/guitarists Patty Reese and Dave Chappell; and a tribute to the unsung heroes of hip-hop, soul, and R&B—background vocalists. More artists and dates to be announced. Mars Arts D.C. collaborations share Washington Performing Arts's musical excellence and the talent of D.C.-area musicians with an even larger audience by reducing socioeconomic barriers to performances and entering the neighborhoods that branch out from the city’s metro center.

 

ARTS EDUCATION AND COMMUNITY PROGRAMS

Washington Performing Arts has made arts education an integral part of its mission since its founding 60 years ago. Its arts education programs began with the Concerts in Schools series, where teaching artists perform in a partnership with the Friday Morning Music Club—a partnership continuing to date. The Washington Performing Arts Capital Arts Partnerships, Embassy Adoption Program, and collaborations with DC Public Schools' All-City Ensembles are embedded into D.C. youth experiences. Washington Performing Arts also makes Arts Education a trademark during the 2025/26 season through visits with our incoming presenting season artists in school masterclasses and pre/post-show lectures (Linger Longer events) featuring artists and other esteemed industry professionals.

 

2025/26 Washington Performing Arts Event Calendar

 

Mars Arts D.C.
Tregaron Unplugged - Free
Saturday, October 4, 2025,  3:00 p.m.
Treagron Conservancy

Step into a world of serene natural beauty with Tregaron Unplugged, presented by Washington Performing Arts. This vibrant free outdoor concert series features exceptional performances peppered throughout the picturesque setting of Tregaron Conservancy in Northwest D.C., creating a perfect harmony between music and nature. This year’s lineup includes string quartets, vocalists, and unique musical ensembles. Audiences will be treated to an eclectic mix of genres, including jazz, classical, Americana, and more. Hear a captivating blend of original and timeless standards throughout the park, where the magic of live performances and the tranquility of nature come together for an unforgettable experience.

 

 

Third Coast Percussion, percussion quartet
Salar Nader, tabla
Saturday, October 18, 2025, 7:00 p.m.
Lisner Auditorium

Grammy-winning percussion quartet Third Coast Percussion opens the evening with vibrant works by electronic composer Jlin, violinist Jessie Montgomery, and jazz composer Tigran Hamasyan. Praised by The New York Times for their “commandingly elegant” performances, the ensemble brings precision and imagination to every piece. Tabla virtuoso Salar Nader follows with a solo set and a moving video tribute to his mentor, the legendary Zakir Hussain—a longtime Washington Performing Arts artistic collaborator who recently passed away. The program culminates in Murmurs in Time, the regional premiere of Hussain’s only work composed for classical percussion ensemble, co-commissioned by Washington Performing Arts and recorded with Third Coast Percussion in 2024. The piece features Nader and Third Coast in a stirring collaboration that celebrates rhythmic innovation and deep artistic legacy. The New York Times described the work as “a brilliant and moving performance (in) tribute to Hussain and the humanistic values at the heart of his art.”

 

Program:

Third Coast Percussion works by Jlin, Jessie Montgomery, and Tigran Hamasyan
Salar Nader - solo
Third Coast Percussion and Salar Nader - Zakir Hussain’s Murmurs in Time

 

Avery Gagliano, piano - Hayes Piano Series
Saturday, October 25, 2025, 2:00 p.m.
The Hopkins Bloomberg Center Theater

A radiant force in the new generation of pianists, Avery Gagliano brings insight, imagination, and a bold interpretive voice to the stage. Hailing from Washington, D.C., Gagliano is a recent graduate of the Curtis Institute of Music and a mentee of Sir András Schiff at the Kronberg Academy in Germany. Lauded by The Philadelphia Inquirer as “a pianist who conveys a vivid musical personality and bold imagination,” Gagliano is a familiar and beloved presence on Washington Performing Arts stages. Her program traverses Romantic fervor, American lyricism, Hungarian fire, and the introspective intensity of late-Romantic Russian works—each piece a canvas for her expressive brilliance.

 

Program:
Schumann - Selections from Novelletten, Op. 21
Barber - Nocturne, Op. 33
Bartok - Piano Sonata, BB.8, Sz 80
Chopin - Polonaise-Fantaisie in A-flat major, Op. 61
Rachmaninoff - Selections of Preludes from Op. 23 & Op. 32

Presented by Washington Performing Arts in cooperation with the Peabody Institute and Hopkins Bloomberg Center.

  

Philharmonia Orchestra (London, U.K.)
Santtu-Matias Rouvali, music director
Víkingur Ólafsson, piano
Monday, October 27, 2025, 7:30 p.m.
Music Center at Strathmore

One of Britain’s most celebrated ensembles, the Philharmonia Orchestra returns after two decades, under the baton of its electrifying music director, Santtu-Matias Rouvali, in his highly anticipated Washington Performing Arts debut. The program begins with the East Coast premiere of a new work by visionary Mexican composer Gabriela Ortiz, followed by Ravel’s jazzy and luminous Piano Concerto in G Major, performed by the incomparable Víkingur Ólafsson—praised for his “ferocious keyboard technique with a razor-sharp intellect that puts those gifts to powerful interpretive use” (On a Pacific Aisle).

The evening concludes with Sibelius’s majestic Fifth Symphony, an elemental and heroic work by the great Finnish composer that perfectly showcases the Philharmonia’s richness and the dynamic leadership of his compatriot, Finnish conductor Santtu-Matias Rouvali.

Program:
Gabriela Ortiz - Si el oxígeno fuera verde
Ravel - Piano Concerto in G Major
Sibelius - Symphony No. 5 in E-flat Major, Op. 82

 

 

Midori, violin
Ieva Jokubaviciute, piano
Saturday, November 15, 2025, 7:30 p.m.
Sixth & I

A cherished presence on Washington Performing Arts stages, Midori returns with pianist Ieva Jokubaviciute for a program that traverses lyricism, passion, and brilliance. Anchored by Beethoven’s radiant “Spring” Sonata, the recital interweaves romantic nuance in the works of Clara and Robert Schumann, Poulenc’s bold contrasts, and the virtuosic sweep of Schubert’s Rondo Brillante—all brought to life with Midori’s musical insight and expressive power. A new work written for Midori by New York-based violinist and composer Che Buford combines violin and electronics. Buford describes their compositions as exploring the possibilities of timbre and acoustical phenomena and connecting them to elements of place, memory, poetry, and the quotidian.

Midori’s performances of this repertoire have drawn critical acclaim. The Classic Review noted the “depth and commitment” in her Beethoven interpretations, while Classics Today hailed her as “a chamber player of great insight and taste,” praising the nuance and texture she brings to works like Poulenc’s sonata. These accolades speak to her rare ability to uncover fresh emotional resonance in both classic and lesser-heard works.

 

Program:

Che Buford - Resonances of spirit
Beethoven - Violin Sonata No. 5 in F Major, Op. 24 “Spring”

Poulenc - Violin Sonata

Clara Schumann - Three Romances, Op. 22

Robert Schumann - Three Romances, Op. 94

Schubert - Rondo Brillante in B minor, D.895

 

 

Igor Levit, piano
Sunday, January 11, 2026, 7:30 p.m.
Sixth & I
Hailed as “one of the most probing, intelligent and accomplished artists of the new generation” (The New York Times), Igor Levit returns to Washington Performing Arts with a recital of monumental variation that challenges and inspires with a tour-de-force recital featuring two monumental works rooted in an epic series of themes and variations. Levit brings his breathtaking technique to Beethoven’s Diabelli Variations, and to Frederic Rzewski’s revolutionary The People United Will Never Be Defeated!, an iconic work of virtuosic brilliance and political fervor. Washington Performing Arts co-commissioned Rzewski’s work in 1976, commemorating the 200th anniversary of the United States's independence. Levit’s performances are acclaimed for their emotional depth and intellectual rigor, promising an unforgettable evening of musical mastery.

Program:
Beethoven - Diabelli Variations, Op. 120

Rzewski - The People United Will Never Be Defeated!

 

 

Ruckus
Davóne Tines, bass-baritone
Wednesday, January 28, 2026, 7:30 p.m.
Sixth & I

As the nation approaches the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence, Ruckus and Davóne Tines invite us to reflect: What is your hand in this? Through a bold reimagining of songs, hymns, and ballads spanning four centuries, this arresting program confronts the tensions and aspirations at the heart of the American experiment. With Ruckus—“the world’s only period-instrument rock band” (San Francisco Classical Voice)—and the “immense power and fervor” (Los Angeles Times) of boundary-breaking vocalist Davóne Tines, the performance channels the spirit of revolution to pose timeless questions of justice, compassion, and community.

This performance is in cooperation with the Washington Bach Consort.

Program:

Charles Wesley, Arr. Davóne Tines & Doug Balliett - “Jesus Lover of My Soul”

George Frederick Handel - “Convey Me to Some Peaceful Shore” (1748)

“Drink to Me Only with Thine Eyes” (Traditional)

“What Mean Ye” (1720/1837)

Julius Eastman - “Buddha” (1983)

John Dickinson, Arr. Doug Balliett - “The Liberty Song” (1768)

Joshua McCarter Simpson, Arr. Tines & Ruckus - “To The White People of America” (1854)

Benjamin Carr, Arr. Balliett - “The Federal Overture” (1793)

George Frederick Handel - “Why Do the Nations” (1741)

Clyde Otis - “This Bitter Earth” (1960)

Doug Balliett - “Steps to Compassion”

Lewis Allan & Earl Robinson - “The House I Live In” (1942)

Davóne Tines, Doug Balliett - “What is My Hand in This?”

 

ANNUAL DALLAS MORSE COORS LEGACY CONCERT
Yo-Yo Ma, cello
Tuesday, February 3, 2026, 7:30 p.m.
Music Center at Strathmore

Experience an evening of profound music making with Yo-Yo Ma, the world-renowned cellist and longtime Washington Performing Arts collaborator, celebrated for his expressive artistry and deep connection to the music he performs. In this rare solo recital, Ma invites audiences into an intimate musical journey, showcasing works that span the breadth of the cello repertoire. Juxtaposing Bach suites alongside works by contemporary composers he has championed through his solo career, and as the founder of The Silk Road Project, Ma's performances are known to transcend mere technical mastery, offering listeners a glimpse into the soul of the music. The Pittsburgh Post-Gazette notes, "Yo-Yo Ma's playing captivates the ear and charms the imagination," highlighting the emotional power and integrity he brings to each piece. This performance is the second-annual Dallas Morse Coors Legacy Concert – a yearly recital celebrating artists who create lasting cultural impact, connecting generations through the universal language of music. Don't miss this opportunity to witness a true cello virtuoso at the height of his craft.?

Program:
Zhao Jiping  - Summer in the High Grasslands
J.S. Bach - Suite No. 1 in G Major, BWV 1007
Ahmet Adnan Saygun - Allegretto from Partita No. 1, Op. 31
J.S. Bach - Suite No. 5 in C minor, BWV 1011
George Crumb - Sonata for Solo Cello
J.S. Bach - Suite No. 6 in D Major, BWV 1012

 

Living the Dream… Singing the Dream
A Choral Tribute to Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.
Washington Performing Arts Gospel Choirs
The Choral Arts Society of Washington
Sunday, February 15, 2026, 7:00 p.m.
Music Center at Strathmore

When the power of the human voice meets the spirit of community and the legacy of Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., the result is guaranteed to be joyous and inspiring—as thousands of Living the Dream attendees over the years can attest. Join us as the combined Men, Women, and Children of the Gospel choirs of Washington Performing Arts, and the Choral Arts Chorus raise their voices in tribute both to Dr. King’s achievements and to his ongoing, indelible impact. Through song, inspirational stories, and special tributes by community leaders, Living the Dream…Singing the Dream ?unites all who honor Dr. King's ideals.

This performance is co-presented with The Choral Arts Society of Washington.

 

Chicago Symphony Orchestra
Klaus Mäkelä, music director designate
Music Center at Strathmore
Friday, February 27, 2026, 7:30 p.m.

One of the world’s most revered ensembles, the Chicago Symphony Orchestra returns under the baton of electrifying music director designate Klaus Mäkelä, hailed for his “mesmerizing presence and interpretive depth” (The Guardian). Mäkelä leads a program that pairs two revolutionary masterworks of symphonic form: Beethoven’s Symphony No. 7, a pulse-quickening triumph of rhythm and vitality that Wagner called “the apotheosis of the dance,” and Berlioz’s Symphonie Fantastique, the wildly imaginative, hallucinatory tale of love, obsession, and dreams gone awry. Together, conductor and orchestra promise an unforgettable evening of high drama, orchestral brilliance, and virtuosity.

Program:
Beethoven - Symphony No. 7 in A Major, Op. 92    
Berlioz - Symphonie Fantastique     

 

Mishka Rushdie Momen, piano - Hayes Piano Series
Saturday, March 14, 2026, 2:00 p.m.
The Hopkins Bloomberg Center Theater

Acclaimed for her “imaginative intelligence and warmth” (The Guardian), British pianist Mishka Rushdie Momen crafts a hauntingly beautiful program traversing centuries of English music, illuminating the lineage between early keyboard works and modern soundscapes. Beginning with sacred plainsong and William Byrd’s intricate Clarifica me, Pater, the recital unfolds through melancholy variations, including Byrd’s Pavana Lachrymae—a poignant response to Dowland’s Flow My Tears—and Dr. John Bull’s expansive Walsingham Variations. The shadowed lyricism of John Dowland’s In Darkness Let Me Dwell echoes forward into Thomas Adès’s spectral Darknesse Visible, blurring time and texture. Momen deepens her exploration with Byrd’s Prelude and Fantasia in A minor, Sir George Benjamin’s crystalline Shadowlines, and graceful works by Henry Purcell, concluding with Byrd’s mesmerizing The Bells. In Momen’s hands, this journey through centuries becomes a seamless meditation on introspection, memory, and transformation.

Program:
Plainsong - Clarifica me, Pater
William Byrd - Clarifica me, Pater:I, II, III
Byrd - Pavana Lachrymae (after Flow my tears, by John Dowland)
Dr. John Bull - Walsingham: 30 Variations
John Dowland - In Darkness Let Me Dwell (arr for piano)
Thomas Adès - Darknesse visible
Byrd - Prelude and Fantasia in A minor, MB 12/13
Sir George Benjamin - Shadowlines
Henry Purcell - Ground, Z.T681
            Suite in G Major, Z.662
Byrd - The Bells

Presented by Washington Performing Arts in cooperation with the Peabody Institute and Hopkins Bloomberg Center.

 

Strathmore and Washington Performing Arts Present
Ravi Shankar Ensemble
Thursday, March 19, 2026, 8:00 p.m.
Music Center at Strathmore

“An unforgettable homage to the spirit of Ravi Shankar.” – The Washington Post

“A stirring confluence of tradition and imagination.” – NPR Music

Curated by Sukanya and Anoushka Shankar, the Ravi Shankar Ensemble is a multi-generational collective of world-class musicians dedicated to the masterful compositions and enduring legacy of the uniquely legendary musician, Ravi Shankar. In its debut tour, the ensemble presents a special program featuring visual elements from the Ravi Shankar archives alongside a dynamic selection of Shankar’s soul-stirring music.

Shankar was instrumental in introducing Western audiences to the classical tradition of Indian ragas. He popularized Indian classical music globally through his teaching, performances, and collaborations with Western musicians like Yehudi Menuhin, Philip Glass, and George Harrison.

Co-presented with Strathmore, in cooperation with District Raga.

 

ANNUAL RUTH BADER GINSBURG MEMORIAL RECITAL
Pacifica Quartet with narrator Sigourney Weaver
Revolutionary Portraits: Our Better Angels
Sunday, April 12, 2026, 7:30 p.m.
Sixth & I

Join the acclaimed Pacifica Quartet and legendary film actor Sigourney Weaver for a moving evening of music and storytelling that celebrates the enduring spirit of American resilience and transformation.

Described by The Telegraph as “nothing short of phenomenal,” the Pacifica Quartet brings its signature virtuosity and emotional depth to a stirring program that honors trailblazing women who shaped our world. The evening features two world-premiere commissions for narrator and string quartet: Jennifer Higdon’s tribute to Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg and Gabriela Lena Frank’s portrait of environmental pioneer Rachel Carson—each blending powerful narration with vivid musical storytelling. Both works were co-commissioned by Washington Performing Arts.

The program opens with a rarely heard gem by Florence Price and culminates in Beethoven’s revolutionary String Quartet in B-flat Major, Op. 130, performed with the audacious Grosse Fuge, Op. 133—a masterwork that continues to astonish and inspire. This performance is the fourth-annual Ruth Bader Ginsburg Memorial Recital—a yearly performance honoring a dear friend of Washington Performing Arts and elevating new work of established and renowned artists.

Program:
Florence Price - String Quartet in G major
Gabriela Lena Frank - new work for narrator and string quartet
Jennifer Higdon - new work for narrator and string quartet
Beethoven - Quartet in B-flat Major, Op. 130 with Grosse Fuge, Op. 133

  

Danish String Quartet 
Danish National Girls’ Choir
Saturday, April 18, 2026, 7:30 p.m.
Church of the Epiphany

Experience a captivating journey through sound and story as the acclaimed Danish String Quartet joins forces with the radiant Danish National Girls’ Choir. Blending contemporary works, reimagined classics, and Nordic folk traditions, this program explores themes of memory, identity, and our bond with the natural world.

Praised by Gramophone for their “intense blend, extreme dynamic variation, perfect intonation even on harmonics, and constant vitality and flow,” the Quartet brings its signature warmth to the stage. The 50-member Choir, described as a “powerhouse” with a “highly sophisticated repertoire” (The Santa Barbara Independent), deepens the concert’s emotional impact with its luminous voices.

Featuring music by Caroline Shaw, Lotta Wennäkoski, Anna Thorvaldsdottir, Franz Schubert, Rune Sørensen, and traditional Nordic songs, the evening culminates in David Lang’s in wildness—a new work co-commissioned by Washington Performing Arts and a consortium of global partners.

Program:

Caroline Shaw - Allemande from “Partita for 8 Voices”
Lotta Wennäkoski - “Girl”
Franz Schubert - Theme from Death and the Maiden, D.810
Anna Thorvaldsdottir - Þann heilaga kross
Trad (arr. Sørensen) - Kisti du kom
Trad - En Skomager har jeg været
Trad (arr. Sørensen) - Dronning Dagmar ligger udi Ribe sy
Rune Sørensen - Once a Shoemaker
Astrid Sonne - How far
Caroline Shaw - And so
Turlough O’ Carolan (arr. Danish String Quartet) - Captain O’Kane
Carl Nielsen/Ingemann (arr. Sørensen) - Tit er jeg glad og et brudestykke
David Lang - in wildness (co-commission)

 

Jean-Yves Thibaudet, piano
Thursday, April 23, 2026, 7:30 p.m.

Music Center at Strathmore

Internationally acclaimed pianist Jean-Yves Thibaudet, praised by the Los Angeles Times as “a master colorist” whose “every note he plays is a pearl,” brings his unparalleled artistry to Debussy’s complete Préludes, Books I & II. Across 24 luminous miniatures. Each bears a special, evocative title ("The Girl with the Flaxen Hair," "Footsteps in the snow," through which Thibaudet conjures wind and water, myth and memory, in a rare full performance of this impressionistic masterwork—an unforgettable journey through Debussy’s sound world.

Program:
Debussy - Complete Preludes, Books I & II

 

SAROD TRILOGY
with Maestro Amjad Ali Khan, Amaan Ali Bangash, and Ayaan Ali Bangash
Saturday, May 2, 2026, 7:30 p.m.
Sixth & I

“Amjad Ali Khan’s music speaks the language of the soul… his sons carry forward that voice with brilliance and heart.” - The New York Times

An icon of Indian classical music, Amjad Ali Khan returns to the stage joined by his gifted sons and fellow sarod virtuosos, Amaan Ali Bangash and Ayaan Ali Bangash, in a rare and deeply moving musical encounter. With a lineage spanning six generations, the trio brings to life the rich traditions of the Senia Bangash Gharana, fusing intricate ragas with heartfelt improvisation and rhythmic interplay. Known for their global collaborations and innovative spirit, this family ensemble offers an unforgettable evening of musical mastery, cultural legacy, and intergenerational artistry.

 

Mars Arts D.C.
Tregaron Meadow Concert
Sunday, May 3, 2026 / 3:00 p.m.
Tregaron Conservancy

The city’s our stage! One of D.C.’s most scenic green spaces, Tregaron Conservancy, welcomes you for an afternoon of jazz performances by Mars Arts D.C. artists. In the Meadow, the magic of live performances and the tranquility of nature come together for an unforgettable experience of sensory delights. Tregaron performances are free and great for all ages.

Artist details to be announced. Registration will be available in spring 2026.

 

Vadym Kholodenko, piano
Tuesday, May 5, 2026, 7:30 p.m.

Sixth & I

Van Cliburn Gold Medalist Vadym Kholodenko, praised for his “precipitous muscularity and high spirits” (New York Classical Review), comes to Washington Performing Arts with electrifying artistry and a program of epic scope at Sixth & I. The evening opens with Beethoven’s monumental “Hammerklavier” Sonata, followed by the dark lyricism of Ukrainian composer Borys Lyatoshinsky’s Three Preludes, Op. 38. Kholodenko concludes with a virtuosic flourish: Liszt’s original Six Paganini Études, a breathtaking showcase of pianistic brilliance that has long been a hallmark of Kholodenko’s playing.

Program:
Beethoven - Piano Sonata No. 29 in B-flat Major, Op. 106 “Hammerklavier”
Lyatoshinsky - 3 Preludes, Op. 38
Liszt - Grandes études de Paganini, S. 141

 

Julia Hamos, piano - Hayes Piano Series
Saturday, May 16, 2026, 2:00 p.m.
The Hopkins Bloomberg Center Theater

Hungarian-American pianist Julia Hamos presents a program that bridges centuries and styles and features two of the most important composers from Hungary. Beginning with a selection from Kurtág’s Játékok, she navigates through Haydn’s Sonata in E minor, Ligeti’s Études (Arc-en-ciel, Der Zauberlehrling, Fanfares), and Mozart’s Sonata in A minor, culminating in Schumann’s beloved Fantasie in C Major. Hamos’s adventurous spirit and compelling artistry promise an evening of compelling musical exploration.

 

Program:
Kurtág - selection from Játékok (Games)
Haydn - Keyboard Sonata in E minor, Hob.XVI:34
Ligeti - Selections from Etudes, Books I & II: Arc en Ciel, der Zauberlehrling, Fanfares
Mozart - Piano Sonata No. 8  in A minor, K.310
Schumann - Fantasie in C Major, Op. 

Presented by Washington Performing Arts in cooperation with the Peabody Institute and Hopkins Bloomberg Center.

 

 

SEASON FINALE

Washington Performing Arts Children of the Gospel Choir & Alumni Choir
Saturday, May 30, 2026 at 7:00 p.m.
Cramton Auditorium - Howard University

Experience a night of unforgettable harmonies, powerful praise, and soul-stirring performances as the Washington Performing Arts Children of the Gospel Choir and Children of the Gospel Alumni Choir inspire with an evening of soaring music and impressive artistry. With the energy of a dynamic five-piece band, enhanced movement, vivid imagery, and a timely message, the choirs gloriously celebrate this uniquely American art form in a performance for all ages.

 

ABOUT WASHINGTON PERFORMING ARTS 

One of the most established and honored performing arts institutions in America, Washington Performing Arts has engaged for more than half a century with artists, audiences, students, and civic life. The city is truly our stage: for decades, in venues ranging from concert halls and clubs to public parks, we have presented a tremendous range of artists and art forms, from the most distinguished symphony orchestras to both renowned and emerging artists in classical music, jazz, international genres, and more. We also have an ever-expanding artistic and educational presence on the internet, envisioning ongoing opportunities for online connection and community.

Washington Performing Arts deeply values its partnerships with local organizations and other arts institutions. Through events online and in myriad performance venues and neighborhoods, we engage international visiting artists in community programs and introduce local artists to wider audiences. We place a premium on establishing artists as a continuing presence in the lives of both young people and adults through residencies and education programs.

Our achievements have been recognized with a National Medal of Arts and with three Mayor’s Arts Awards from the DC Government. We have now embarked upon our second half-century, ever inspired by the motto of our founder, Patrick Hayes: “Everybody in, nobody out.”

 

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