All Concerts

Pianist Claire Huangci joins Pacific Symphony to perform Bach's Keyboard Concerto No. 1. The young American pianist, winner of the first prize and the Mozart prize at the 2018 Geza Anda Competition, continuously captivates audiences with her “radiant virtuosity, artistic sensitivity, keen interactive sense and subtle auditory dramaturgy” (Salzburger Nachrichten).

This performance will be available for FREE streaming through May 14.

Concertmaster Dennis Kim and Pacific Symphony Oboist Ted Sugata take center stage in Bach's Concerto for Violin and Oboe.

The program opens with Principal Cellist Warren Hagerty playing Bouree I and II from Bach's Suite No. 3 in C Major for Solo Cello.

This performance will be available for FREE streaming through May 21.

One of today’s most sought-after concert organists, Juilliard-trained Hector Olivera is a passionate musician, whose interpretations of both classical and popular music have amazed and delighted audiences around the world. "The Times Reporter" describes an evening with Hector Olivera as “an event, a happening, a joyful celebration of the sheer power and pressure that a true virtuoso like Olivera can unleash in a concert hall.”

This 75-minute performance will be streamed LIVE at 3 p.m. (PDT) on Sunday, April 25, and will be available for free viewing through May 23.

Today, Bach's Brandenburg Concertos are widely regarded as some of the best orchestral compositions of the Baroque era. And yet they were never performed during the composer's lifetime. After Bach gifted the manuscript of the six concertos to the Margrave of Brandenburg in 1721, it languished on library shelves until it was rediscovered in 1849. Brandenburg Concerto No. 2, performed here, contains one of the most difficult parts in the trumpet repertoire.

This performance will be available for FREE streaming through May 28. 

Violinist Anne Akiko Meyers joins Pacific Symphony in Vaughan Williams' "The Lark Ascending," a single-movement work for violin and orchestra inspired by the 1881 poem of the same name by the English writer George Meredith. The San Diego Union-Tribune says, “Meyers’ playing is what it always has been: a national treasure. She is a musical wizard, with astonishing access to every kind of expressive color.” 

This performance will be available for FREE streaming through June 4. 

In the first Family Musical Moment, Dr. Sustaita invites listeners to explore the beginning of Beethoven’s Symphony No. 6. It’s nicknamed the “Pastoral” because it reflects the composer’s love of nature.

Beethoven loved to go for long walks in the countryside far away from the hustle and bustle of the city. As Dr. Sustaita guides you through the Symphony, see if you can feel the peace of being out in nature. You’ll enjoy the fun, color commentary cartoon pop-ups in the video that tell you what’s happening in the music.

This performance will be available for FREE streaming starting at 10 a.m. on May 8. If you’re unable to watch at that time, you can tune in anytime through June 6.

Joan Tower's six "Fanfares for the Uncommon Woman" are a tribute to "women who take risks and are adventurous," with each one dedicated to an inspiring woman in music. The first of these short pieces was inspired by Copland's "Fanfare for the Common Man" and is dedicated to conductor Marin Alsop. In Prokofiev’s first symphony, which he named “Classical Symphony,” he loosely imitates the style of Haydn.

This performance will be available for FREE streaming on our YouTube and Facebook channels starting at 7 p.m. (PDT) on May 13 through June 11. Check back in on May 13 for the links.

An Online Learning Experience! Symphony Assistant Conductor Dr. Jacob Sustaita hosts three one-hour, online sessions leading up to the much-anticipated June 5th virtual broadcast of Verdi's masterpiece "La Traviata." Get a behind-the-scenes look through exclusive conversations with Music Director Carl St.Clair, Stage Director Robert Neu and members of the cast.

Just $35 per household for all three sessions.

From the Vault: Relive Pacific Symphony’s inspirational rendition of Italian composer Respighi’s richly colored symphonic tone poem, “Pines of Rome.” Conjuring up vivid images of ancient Rome, the piece achieved success at a time when opera dominated the music scene. Each of the four movements depicts pine trees around the ancient city in changing settings, including mysterious catacombs, children playing in the Borghese Garden, an ancient Roman temple and a soldier marching home triumphantly on Via Appia. 

This performance will be available for FREE streaming on our YouTube and Facebook channels starting at 7 p.m. (PDT) on May 20 through June 18. Check back in on May 20 for the links.

The second Family Musical Moment continues to explore Beethoven’s Symphony No. 6, which the composer titled the "Pastoral Symphony or Recollections of Country Life," reflecting his love of nature. This time, the orchestra plays the third movement in which the music depicts a "Merry gathering of peasants."

As Dr. Jacob Sustaita guides you through the symphony, you’ll enjoy the fun, color commentary cartoon pop-ups in the video that tell you what’s happening in the music.

This performance will be available for FREE streaming on Facebook and YouTube starting at 10 a.m. on May 22. If you’re unable to watch at that time, you can tune in anytime through June 20.

Pacific Symphony commissioned the Emmy Award-winning composer John Christopher Wineglass—along with four California orchestras, Fresno Philharmonic, Monterey Symphony and the San Jose Chamber Orchestra—to write "Alone Together," a piece that addresses the social issues we have all been facing during the pandemic, from not being able to perform together to systemic racial disparities.

This performance will be available for FREE streaming on our YouTube and Facebook channels from May 25 through June 23. Check back in on May 25 for the links.

Copland’s iconic “Fanfare for the Common Man" was one of 18 fanfares written by various American composers during the dark days of World War II to promote feelings of patriotism and national unity. Copland wanted to honor the common man who performed his deeds of heroism not on the battlefield but on the home front.

"Alone Together" by multiple ®EMMY award-winning composer John Christopher Wineglass addresses the social issues we have all been facing during the pandemic, from not being able to perform together to systemic racial disparities. 

This performance will be available for FREE streaming on our YouTube and Facebook channels starting at 7 p.m. (PDT) on  May 27 through June 25. Check back in on May 27 for the links.

Experience "La Traviata," Verdi's passionate story of a doomed love affair, reimagined for the virtual space. Stage Director Robert Neu has created a production that will be fresh and interesting to even the most experienced opera-goer!

Tickets are just $25 for 28-day household access.

Stage Director Notes from Robert Neu

“Your Song.” “Rocket Man.” “Goodbye Yellow Brick Road.” The hit singles of mega pop star Elton John are endless. Starring Craig A. Meyer as “Almost Elton John,” this spectacular musical journey celebrates the decades of chart-topping hits of Sir Elton John.

Plus, enjoy patriotic favorites, our traditional salute to the U.S. armed forces and a brilliant fireworks finale!

U.S. Premiere Live-to-Film Event!

Two rival toys — a lanky, likable cowboy named Woody and Buzz Lightyear, the fearless space ranger — vie for a place in the heart of their owner, Andy. The toys plot against each other, but when they’re separated from their human, they find a way to work together as friends to be reunited with Andy again. Considered by many to be one of the best animated films ever made, Toy Story received three Academy Award nominations, including one for “You’ve Got a Friend in Me” by Randy Newman.
 
Presentation licensed by Disney Concerts. © All rights reserved.

No SummerFest is complete without Pacific Symphony performing Tchaikovsky’s thrilling “1812” Overture, complete with live cannons and brilliant fireworks. Enjoy the spectacle as you also listen to the greatest hits of some of Russia’s greatest Romantic composers.

"His greatness, his overwhelming authority as musician, technician and probing intellect emerges quickly as he plays. Within minutes, we are totally captured by his intensity and pianistic achievement." —Los Angeles Times

Celebrate a return to the concert hall during opening weekend with the unparalleled Emanuel Ax performing Mozart’s charming Piano Concerto No. 17.  Maestro St.Clair concludes the evening with Tchaikovsky’s moving Fifth Symphony.

Pacific Symphony and Maestro Carl St.Clair make their return to the Renée and Henry Segerstrom Concert Hall with Tchaikovsky’s achingly beautiful fifth symphony. A reflection of the troubled composer’s self-doubt, the work serves as a landmark in the Romantic era filled with moments of melancholy but ends with a triumphant finale.

Experience Beethoven’s thrilling “Eroica” symphony—a work so innovative and influential it changed the course of music history. And revel in the beauty and technical mastery of Tchaikovsky’s unofficial cello concerto, Variations on a Rococo Theme.

Back by popular demand, 16-time Grammy Award winner David Foster returns to Pacific Symphony to perform songs from his unparalleled catalog. Popular hits — written for artists including Andrea Bocelli, Michael Bublé, Josh Groban, Olivia Newton-John, Barbra Streisand and many others — include “You’re the Inspiration,” “The Prayer,” “The Glory of Love” and “St. Elmo’s Fire.”

“Striking and charismatic…Rachel Barton Pine demonstrated a bravura technique and soulful musicianship.” – The New York Times

An evening of greatness begins with world-class pianist Haochen Zhang who has been described by The Washington Post as having an “imagination that keeps you on the edge of your seat and breathless to hear what comes next”—a worthy challenger to Rachmaninoff’s Second Piano Concerto.

Following are two pieces drawn from fantasy: first, Debussy sets the scene for fauns and nymphs in Prelude to the Afternoon of a Faun; next, Stravinsky transports you to a world where an evil sorcerer collides with a magical firebird.

From The Four Seasons to the Holiday Season! The Midtown Men, reuniting stars from the Broadway smash hit "Jersey Boys," deck the hall with festive cheer, timeless tunes, top-shelf choreography and incredible vocal performances! Featuring iconic yuletide classics such as "Winter Wonderland," "Let It Snow" and "Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas," as well as their signature renditions of the greatest rock-and-roll hits of the 1960s.

Awe is the only adjective to describe twin piano phenoms, Christina Naughton and Michelle Naughton; watch as they take Mozart’s rarely performed Concerto for Two Pianos to the stage. On the second half, Mahler’s popular Symphony No. 4 evokes memories of youthful innocence and rustic German countryside. 

Bomsori Kim, “internationally recognized as one of the most dynamic and exciting violinists of today” (NDR), joins Pacific Symphony with Tchaikovsky’s delightful and ever-popular violin concerto. Following is Brahms’ Second Symphony, a work touched by dark despair but countered by the beautiful light of serenity

Treat your date to an evening with Britain’s exciting crossover pop star, Katherine Jenkins. She has performed all over the world — for the pope, for presidents and for the Royal Family. Featured on “Dancing with the Stars,” she has also embarked upon numerous sold-out tours and duetted with such names as Andrea Bocelli, Il Divo and many more.

The New York Times calls Scottish composer Sir James MacMillan as “ceaselessly inventive, evocative and penetrating.” He joins Pacific Symphony on a spiritual journey with his major commission Fiat Lux (“Let There Be Light”); a perfect pairing to Strauss’ eternal tone poem Death and Transfiguration.

Hailed by The London Times as a “violinist in a class of his own,” James Ehnes joins legendary conductor Edo de Waart with Prokofiev’s Spanish-inspired second violin concerto; a work that perfectly blends drama with technical virtuosity. On the second half, revel in the majestic power of the William J. Gillespie Concert Organ in Saint-Saëns‘ most popular symphony featuring a melody that was later adapted for film and the 1977 hit song “If I Had Words.”

In an acclaimed career spanning nearly five decades, singer, songwriter and guitarist Boz Scaggs has explored the realms of soft rock, blues, R&B and jazz to produce instantly recognizable hits such as “Lowdown,” “Lido Shuffle” and “Look What You’ve Done to Me.”

Love, betrayal and jealousy – all trademarks of great tragic opera – Otello embraces these themes to the fullest. Written decades after going into retirement, Verdi’s interpretation of Shakespeare’s tale takes you on a journey through a passionate romance destroyed by one of opera’s most loathsome villains.

Beauty, thrills and majesty! This popular troupe returns with a show featuring a jaw-dropping fusion of fliers, acrobats, contortionists, dancers, jugglers and strongmen who perform their cirque acts while Pacific Symphony provides a soundtrack of classical masterpieces and contemporary favorites.

Schumann’s Symphony No. 4 is a work that leads you from gorgeous melodies to unforgettable themes, all without pause. Earlier in the evening, piano phenom Joyce Yang dazzles with Rachmaninoff’s tour-de-force of the keyboard, Rhapsody on a Theme of Paganini.

The world’s top ABBA tribute joins Pacific Symphony to perform some of the most iconic songs ever written: “Dancing Queen,” “Mamma Mia,” “Waterloo,” “S.O.S.,” “Gimme, Gimme, Gimme” and so many more will have you dancing in the aisles and singing along. With hundreds of performances over the past two decades, The Music of ABBA has audiences all in agreement: This is the closest to ABBA you’ll ever get!

Wolfgang comes to life in this all-Mozart evening!  Maestro St.Clair conducts the legendary composer’s charming overture to Don Giovanni and the gloriously dark and transcendent Requiem, interspersed with a portrayal of his greatest rival, Antonio Salieri, performed by SCR Artistic Director David Ivers.

Maestro Carl St.Clair and David Ivers, actor and artistic director at South Coast Repertory, explore Mozart’s “Requiem” — one of the most enigmatic pieces ever composed, mainly due to the myths and controversies surrounding it. Mozart’s “Requiem,” which was left unfinished at the time of the composer’s death, now enjoys an elevated status as one of the most magnificent achievements in sacred music.
  
Presented in collaboration with South Coast Repertory.

It’s a show-tune song and dance extravaganza! Celebrate “Hamilton,” “Wicked,” “The Lion King,” “The Phantom of the Opera,” “Jersey Boys” and more in one thrilling crowd-pleasing performance. The only thing better than spending an evening at a hit Broadway show is spending an evening with ALL of them.

An all-Beethoven weekend – in celebration of the iconic composer’s 251th birthday – featuring all five piano concertos with the lavishly talented Alexander Romanovsky.

Pianist Alexander Romanovsky returns to the stage with one of Beethoven’s most beloved works—his Fifth Piano Concerto, “Emperor.” From sheer beauty to dazzling grandeur, the “Emperor” requires extreme virtuosity from its soloist, making it an ideal centerpiece in the hands of the talented Romanovsky.