Principal Pops Conductor Enrico Lopez-Yañez curates a thrilling lineup celebrating the vibrant and diverse musical tastes of Southern California

Pacific Symphony invites audiences to experience seven fun-filled, high-energy concerts as it announces the 2025-26 Pops Series, underwritten by the Sharon J. and Thomas E. Malloy Family. Curated by Principal Pops Conductor Enrico Lopez-Yañez, the series features a mix of iconic pop hits, cinematic scores, Broadway favorites, vibrant Latin rhythms, and more. With dynamic guest artists, fresh arrangements, and the full power of the orchestra, music lovers are in for unforgettable, genre-spanning nights out listening to live orchestral music. It’s a series that promises both nostalgic favorites and exhilarating new musical experiences.

“It’s a joy to lead the Pops Series for my third season with Pacific Symphony,” said Lopez-Yañez. “We’ve curated a thrilling lineup that celebrates the vibrant diversity of our Southern California community — from Broadway brilliance to cinematic grandeur, high-energy Latin rhythms to iconic pop legends. We have something for everyone, and I can’t wait to share my love of all genres with our audiences.”

Season highlights include:

• The 2025-26 Pops Opening Night features Dolly Parton’s Threads: My Songs in Symphony (Nov. 14-15), a dazzling multimedia concert featuring hand-picked vocalists, guest musicians, and personal stories shared by Dolly on screen.
  
  
• Celebrate the holidays in style at A Rat Pack Christmas with Tony Desare (Dec. 19-20), showcasing the star performer’s charm, piano virtuosity and smooth vocals.
  
  
• Fans of the films A Nightmare Before Christmas and Beetlejuice won’t want to miss Danny Elfman’s Music from The Films of Tim Burton (Feb. 13-14), an eerie and whimsical evening of cinematic scores featuring violinist Sandy Cameron.
  
  
• After a sold-out debut with the Symphony in a duo with Cody Fry, singer-songwriter Ben Rector returns with Songs for America (March 13-14), a heartfelt performance inspired by his travels across the country.
  
  
• Memorable songs like “Wouldn’t it be Loverly” and “I Could Have Danced All Night” shine in My Fair Lady in Concert (April 24-25), featuring lush orchestration and standout vocalists.
  
  
• An Enchanted Evening with The Three Mexican Tenors (May 15–16) features thrilling operatic favorites and passionate Latin love songs in a vibrant, crowd-pleasing celebration of unforgettable melodies.
  
  
• Windborne’s Music of Journey (June 5–6) cranks up the symphonic power as Pacific Symphony and a team of great artists reimagine Journey’s greatest hits—“Separate Ways,” “Open Arms,” “Don’t Stop Believin’”—in a high-energy, arena-rock concert experience.

“We’re thrilled to bring back fan favorites while introducing fresh faces to the Pops Series this year,” added Lopez-Yañez. “Each performance brings something special—creative arrangements and inspired collaborations that breathe new life into familiar favorites.”

Pacific Symphony President and CEO, John Forsyte, added, “As we unveil another exhilarating Pops season, we extend our gratitude to our devoted ticket holders whose energy fuels every performance. Our musicians—renowned for their versatility and artistry—are a true Orange County treasure, and we’re proud to share their talents under Enrico Lopez-Yañez’s dynamic leadership.”

All performances begin at 8 p.m. and take place at the Renée and Henry Segerstrom Concert Hall. Tickets range from $50 - $182 per concert. Pops subscriptions are available in seven-concert and four-concert “choose-your-own” packages, priced from $159–$1,337. For more information or to purchase tickets, call (714) 755-5799 or visit PacificSymphony.org.


2025–26 POPS SEASON Underwritten by the Sharon J. and Thomas E. Malloy Family

DOLLY PARTON’S THREADS: MY SONGS IN SYMPHONY
November 14-15, 2025 | 8 PM Enrico Lopez-Yañez, conductor

Dolly Parton’s Threads: My Songs in Symphony reimagines Dolly Parton’s most treasured works with cinematic sweep and personal depth. Her instantly recognizable voice is woven into the evening through exclusive video moments, while the orchestra amplifies each story with grandeur and grace. From the fierce independence of “9 to 5” to the tenderness of “Coat of Many Colors,” this concert is a beautifully orchestrated tapestry of strength, humor, and humanity—an experience that honors Dolly’s timeless influence while offering a new perspective on her enduring artistry. This once-in-a-lifetime concert gives Dolly fans a powerful new way to experience her storytelling magic.

A RAT PACK CHRISTMAS WITH TONY DESARE
December 19-20 | 8 PM Evan Roider, conductor

Get transported to a mid-century holiday lounge where the martinis are chilled, the horns are smooth, and the Christmas cheer has style. Tony DeSare, with his silky vocals and vintage flair, leads a festive celebration packed with seasonal swing and nostalgic sparkle. Backed by a brassy orchestra, he delivers fresh takes on holiday standards and timeless tunes that feel like they're straight out of a snowy 1960s December. It’s a concert filled with charm, mischief, and warmth—a yuletide toast with a twist of cool.

DANNY ELFMAN’S MUSIC FROM THE FILMS OF TIM BURTON
February 13-14, 2026 | 8 PM Sarah Hicks, conductor

Dive into the shadowy, surreal universe of Tim Burton through the unmistakable sound of Danny Elfman. This visually enhanced concert highlights Elfman’s most iconic scores—gothic lullabies and epic anthems alike—from Batman and Edward Scissorhands to Beetlejuice and Corpse Bride. With violin firebrand Sandy Cameron adding a haunting edge, the performance conjures a strange and beautiful world where whimsy walks hand-in-hand with darkness. It’s a visceral, theatrical journey into a composer’s fantastical mindscape.

BEN RECTOR: SONGS FOR AMERICA
March 13-14, 2026 | 8 PM Enrico Lopez-Yañez, conductor

Celebrate America’s 250th anniversary with Songs for America—Ben Rector’s heartfelt symphonic tribute to the country’s cities, stories, and shared spirit. Inspired by fifteen years of cross-country touring, this program pairs Rector’s most beloved originals with new orchestral works honoring the American songbook. It’s a blend of golden-era pop, Broadway sparkle, and modern hymn—infused with Rector’s signature wit and emotional honesty.

Backed by Pacific Symphony and led by Enrico Lopez-Yañez, Rector brings his viral charm and stage presence to a concert that’s both joyful and deeply resonant. From big-sky ballads to toe-tapping anthems, this evening bridges nostalgia and newness in a celebration of everything that makes this country—and this music—so uniquely moving.

MY FAIR LADY IN CONCERT
April 24-25, 2026 | 8PM Adam Turner, conductor

The beloved classic My Fair Lady returns in a lavish concert version that lets its unforgettable music shine in full orchestral splendor. Relive the wit, romance, and transformation of Eliza Doolittle’s story through songs that defined an era—“Wouldn’t It Be Loverly,” “I’ve Grown Accustomed to Her Face,” and more—performed by a cast of celebrated vocalists. With Pacific Symphony providing the emotional heartbeat, this semi-staged production blends theatrical charm with musical grandeur for an evening of pure golden-age joy.

AN ENCHANTED EVENING WITH THE THREE MEXICAN TENORS
May 15-16, 2026 | 8PM Enrico Lopez-Yañez, conductor

Get ready for an unforgettable evening of soaring voices and heart-stirring music! The Three Mexican Tenors bring breathtaking vocal fireworks, classic love songs, and thrilling showstoppers that transcend language and borders. Backed by full orchestra and vibrant mariachi, this concert blends opera, pop, and timeless ballads into one spectacular night of passion and power. Whether you love Andrea Bocelli, Broadway, or the magic of world-class singing, you'll be swept away by the sheer artistry and emotion.

WINDBORNE’S MUSIC OF JOURNEY
June 5-6, 2026 | 8PM Enrico Lopez-Yañez, conductor

Turn up the volume and relive the power ballads and anthems that defined a generation. With a killer lead vocalist, searing guitar solos, and the full symphonic force of Pacific Symphony, Journey’s chart-topping hits take on a whole new dimension. From the adrenaline rush of “Separate Ways” to the emotional pull of “Open Arms” and the legendary finale of “Don’t Stop Believin’,” each song is elevated into a high-impact, full-orchestra rock event. It’s a night of epic soundscapes, electrifying rhythm, and pure arena-style energy—minus the stadium traffic.


About Pacific Symphony

Founded in 1978, Pacific Symphony is the largest orchestra formed in the U.S. in the last 50 years and is not only a fixture of musical life in Southern California but is also recognized as an outstanding ensemble making strides on both the national and international scenes. The orchestra presents more than 100 concerts and events each year and a rich array of education and community engagement programs, reaching more than 300,000 residents of all ages.

Pacific Symphony made its debut at Carnegie Hall in 2018, where it was invited to perform as part of a yearlong celebration of composer Philip Glass' 80th birthday. The Symphony made its first-ever tour to China the same year, with performances in five cities, including Shanghai and Beijing. The Symphony has been recognized with multiple ASCAP Awards for Adventurous Programming and included among the country’s five most innovative orchestras by the League of American Orchestras.

Pacific Symphony’s discography comprises 15 recordings, mostly of 20th- and 21st-century music by such American composers as William Bolcom, John Corigliano and Richard Danielpour. In 2012 for Naxos, St.Clair and the orchestra recorded Philip Glass’s The Passion of Ramakrishna, a Pacific Symphony commission that appeared on the Carnegie Hall program. The Symphony has also recorded for Harmonia Mundi, Koch International Classics, Reference Recordings, and Sony Classical, among other labels. The Symphony’s education and community engagement activities have also been recognized by the League, as well as the National Endowment for the Arts.

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