Concert Calendar

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 through June 18.

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 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. Music Director Carl St.Clair will interview the composer and conduct Pacific Symphony in the world premiere.

This performance is available for FREE streaming through June 23.

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 through June 25.

Let us pause on Memorial Day to remember all the lives we have lost, and find solace in Frank Ticheli's moving piece, Rest. Originally a vocal work based on the poem There Will Be Rest by Sara Teasdale, this arrangement by the composer for string orchestra will be accompanied by visual elements. Ticheli dedicated this composition to the memory of Cole Carsan St.Clair, the son of Carl St.Clair and his wife, Susan.

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

Vivaldi’s lyrical masterpiece, “The Four Seasons,” paints tantalizing pictures of the changing seasons in a series of three-movement concertos. Concertmaster Dennis Kim captures the magic of "Spring" at this concert, from the re-awakening of nature to a sudden spring shower. Listen for the "barking" sheep dog played by the viola.

This performance is available for FREE streaming through July 2.

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!

Stage Director Notes from Robert Neu

Tickets are just $25 for 28-day household access through July 4. Online sales are now closed. Tickets may still be purchased by phone only through the Symphony box office, (714) 755-5799 (Monday-Friday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.)

English composer Frederick Delius imbued his tone poem for small orchestra with the spirit of an English springtime. On Hearing the First Cuckoo in Spring conjures up mists, ferns, streams and the melancholy song of the cuckoo. Elissa Johnston joins the Symphony to sing selections from Joseph Canteloube's Songs of the Auvergne, a collection of folk songs from the Auvergne region of France arranged for soprano voice and orchestra.

This performance will be available for FREE streaming starting at 7 p.m. (PDT) on June 10 through July 9. 

Enjoy a virtual evening with Pacific Symphony Pops! Led by Richard Kaufman in his 30th anniversary season as principal pops conductor, the program includes themes from popular film music, such as John Barry's Flying Theme from Out of Africa and John Williams' March of the Resistance from Star Wars – The Force Awakens.

This performance ise available for FREE streaming through July 10.

Pacific Symphony has commissioned composer Margaret Brouwer to write a piece designed specifically to be streamed during the pandemic with the idea that the musicians would play and record their parts from their homes rather than within the ensemble. Join us for the world premiere of Parallel Isolations.

This performance is available for FREE streaming through July 12. 

Composer Jessie Montgomery draws from many diverse influences, such as African-American spirituals, civil rights anthems, modern jazz and film scoring. About Starburst she writes: "This brief one-movement work for string orchestra is a play on imagery of rapidly changing musical colors."

Frank Ticheli's Rest, a piece of fragile beauty and quiet dignity, is an arrangement for string orchestra of Ticheli's moving vocal work, There Will Be Rest, dedicated to the memory of Cole Carsan St.Clair, the son of Carl St.Clair and his wife, Susan.

This performance will be available for FREE streaming starting at 7 p.m. (PDT) on June 17 through July 16.

Experience a new concert in our popular chamber music series, Café Ludwig, streamed LIVE into your living room from the Samueli Theater. Pianist and host Orli Shaham will be joined by Concertmaster Dennis Kim and Principal Cellist Warren Hagerty in chamber music by Reena Esmail, Jessie Montgomery, Sergei Rachmaninoff, Amanda Maier and Germaine Tailleferre.

This performance will be available for FREE streaming starting at 3 p.m. (PDT) on June 20 through July 19. 

Franz Schubert was only 19 when he wrote his fifth symphony, but it is considered among his finest. Full of youthful energy,  it is the only one of his symphonies which does not include clarinets, trumpets or timpani.  The Mozartian character of the piece mirrors Schubert’s veneration for the composer: "O Mozart! immortal Mozart! what countless impressions of a brighter, better life hast thou stamped upon our souls!"[

This performance will be available for FREE streaming on our YouTube and Facebook channels starting at 7 p.m. (PDT) on June 24 through July 22. Check back on June 24 for the links.

Principal Pops Conductor Richard Kaufman leads the orchestra in film music by John Williams, Ennio Morricone and more. The program includes themes from Summer of ‘42, E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial, The Mission, Raiders of the Lost Ark, Jaws, Star Wars and Superman.

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

A Create-Your-Own Concert Adventure!

As members of the audience during this Family Musical Mornings concert, we are tasked with solving the mystery of a magical violin which appears to have been stolen by a mysterious musician. Sherlock Holmes will be our guide, as he helps us to make decisions about the music that will lead us along in our adventure. 

This 45-minute, virtual performance is designed for kids ages 4-11 and will be available for FREE streaming on Facebook and YouTube starting at 10 a.m. on June 26. If you’re unable to watch at that time, you can tune in anytime through July 25.

This performance will be available for FREE streaming on our YouTube and Facebook channels starting at 7 p.m. (PDT) on July 1 through July 30. Check back on July 1 for the links.

Remember When Rock Was Young—The Elton John Tribute

“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!

This performance will be available for FREE streaming on our YouTube and Facebook channels starting at 7 p.m. (PDT) on July 8 through August 6. Check back on July 8 for the links.

Our third Family Musical Moment explores the second movement of Felix Mendelssohn's Symphony No. 4,  known as the “Italian" Symphony. When Mendelssohn was 21 years old, he took a 10-month trip to Italy, and that’s when he wrote it. It is one of Mendelssohn’s happiest and most enjoyable pieces.

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 July 10. If you’re unable to watch at that time, you can tune in anytime through Aug. 8.

This performance will be available for FREE streaming on our YouTube and Facebook channels starting at 7 p.m. (PDT) on July 15 through August 13. Check back on July 15 for the links.

Celebrate Christmas in July with Tchaikovsky’s delightful ballet, The Nutcracker, arranged by Yoon Jae Lee. This virtual Family Music Mornings concert features five different ballet companies from across Orange County, each performing a different dance. Pacific Symphony's 45-minute, condensed version of this holiday favorite is designed for kids ages 4-11.

This performance will be available for FREE streaming on Facebook and YouTube starting at 10 a.m. on July 24. If you’re unable to watch at that time, you can tune in anytime through Aug. 22.

West Coast 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.

West Coast 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.

After standing ovations and shouts of “Bravo!” during their last visit, Pacific Symphony has invited this popular band to return with their rollicking, around-the-world musical adventure. Pink Martini is part big band, part classical ensemble, part salsa troupe and all fun!

No SummerFest is complete without Pacific Symphony performing Tchaikovsky’s thrilling “1812” Overture, complete with live cannons and brilliant fireworks. Plus, critically acclaimed pianist and International Tchaikovsky Competition Silver Medalist George Li joins the orchestra to perform Rachmaninoff’s “Rhapsody on a Theme by Paganini.”

"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 featuring cellist Gabriel Martins, winner of the 2020 Concert Artists Guild – Young Classical Artists Trust Grand Prize and the 2020 Sphinx Competition.

Welcome back to the concert hall—for the first time in forever—with the magical music of Disney! Be our guest and enjoy your favorites from “Frozen,” ”Beauty and the Beast,” “Lion King” and “Star Wars.” Come dressed as your favorite Disney or Star Wars character and be ready to celebrate a return to live music with the Symphony!

Enjoy a return to the intimate Samueli Theater with chamber music from recognizable composers and some of today’s brilliant minds. Barber and Brahms treat you to heart wrenching melodies of the Romantic era, Ives brings a modernism ahead of his time and the music of Tanaka, Montgomery and Cuong showcase the best contemporary music of the present.

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.”

New music meets established favorites. First, the music of Gabriela Lena Frank takes inspiration from her own Peruvian heritage and melds the British sounds of composer Benjamin Britten. Following is Mendelssohn’s indelible violin concerto featuring the striking and charismatic Rachel Barton Pine. On the second half, music from two Pulitzer Prize winners: Caroline Shaw’s Entr’acte takes you in a time machine through music’s Baroque, Classical and Contemporary eras. And finally Aaron Copland’s joyous Appalachian Spring Suite captures the essence of the American sound and spirit.

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.

Visions of sugarplums and beautiful ballerinas will dance in your head after seeing Tchaikovsky’s delightful Christmas ballet, performed in a condensed 45-minute version created just for kids. This annual favorite finishes with a grand finale sing-along and a jolly visit from Santa himself!

A beloved holiday tradition, Handel’s celebrated oratorio — with its blazing trumpets, thundering timpani and spectacular “Hallelujah!” chorus — provides a moment during the busy season to experience reflection, renewal and joy.

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.

Celebrate the season with the king of instruments! Enjoy a magnitude of musical splendors with world-class organist Todd Wilson and members of Pacific Symphony performing a delightful mix of sacred and holiday music. Favorite Christmas carols share the bill with traditional organ works that highlight the 4,322-pipe, $3.1 million William J. Gillespie Concert Organ.

 

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

This enchanting rags-to-riches fairy-tale opera adapts Rossini’s sparkling work especially for young audiences. From start to finish, you’ll be swept away by show-stopping vocal fireworks, toe-tapping tunes, high-spirited comedy and colorful costumes — all leading up to a happily-ever-after grand finale!

Join us for Pacific Symphony’s annual festivities honoring the Lunar New Year! Celebrating the Year of the Tiger, this performance is sure to sell out once again as audiences from across our communities come together to feast on a colorful presentation of Eastern and Western music and dance.

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.

You won’t want to miss the continuing adventures of Captain Symphony! Pacific Symphony is joined by the Pacific Symphony Youth Orchestra for this side-by-side concert featuring music from “The Incredibles,” “Superman” and heroic classical favorites such as Rossini’s dashing “William Tell Overture”. Come dressed as your favorite superhero!
 

Organist Dennis James provides a chilling soundtrack for the silent-film classic, "The Hunchback of Notre Dame." The 1923 film, based on Victor Hugo's 1831 novel of the same name, is known for the grand sets that recall 15th century Paris as well as for Lon Chaney's performance and make-up as the tortured hunchback Quasimodo, the deaf, half-blind, hunchbacked bell-ringer of the famous Cathedral of Notre Dame.

Inspired by the poetry of Nathaniel Bellows, Snider’s “The Currents” puts Shaham’s complete skills as a formidable pianist on display; it’s expressive, poetic and lyrical, telling a story of both innocence and coping with an unpredictable world. Next, experience a world premiere from Israeli composer Avner Dorman who drays on cultural and historical influences in his music. And finally, Schubert’s atypical chamber instrumentation for his “Trout” quintet; a work featuring beloved melodies from his song "Die Forelle" ("The Trout").

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.”

Celebrate Nowruz, the Iranian New Year, online with the Farhang Foundation and Pacific Symphony! A traditional festival that marks the beginning of spring, Nowruz is a time to celebrate the “rebirth of nature” and wash away the past.

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.

Grammy Award-winning organist Paul Jacobs, a Pacific Symphony favorite, returns to the William J. Gillespie Concert Organ to perform a program of virtuosic organ music.

Enjoy image magnification on our big screens during the concert for a closer look at the organist!

French Impressionism bookends this delightful afternoon: Debussy opens the program with the dreamy sounds that made him famous featuring the sounds of flute, viola and harp; concluding is Ravel’s colorful and climatic piano trio. Music by the Hungarian composer, Ernst von Dohnányi treats you to shifting chromatic tonality while Czech composer, Bohuslav Martinů, explores virtuosity between flute and viola. 

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.