For ten years, the Composer Seminar of the Lucerne Festival Academy — founded by Wolfgang Rihm and now led by Dieter Ammann and Unsuk Chin — has been a defining part of the Academy’s work. To mark its anniversary, it is introducing a major change: from now on, participants will apply not with ensemble pieces but with works for orchestra. After all, composing for large forces demands a great deal of experience. Yet which young composer has the chance to work intensively with a professional orchestra? That is precisely what the Composer Seminar offers: six emerging composers from around the world discuss their pieces in individual coaching sessions and two public workshops, rehearse them with the Lucerne Festival Contemporary Orchestra (LFCO), and then present them in the Closing Concert on 23 August. In this way, they put their music to the test in a practical way and receive valuable feedback not only from the musicians and conductors but also from the audience.

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Participants in the Composer Seminar | Dieter Ammann | Unsuk Chin

KKL Luzern Concert Hall

Une rencontre euphorique entre la musique et la mythologie grecque. La magie des hits de Abba fusionne avec l'âme festive de la Grèce dans les bleus du ciel et de la mer Égée. Chaque chanson donne vie à un mythe. Du romantique coucher de soleil à la nuit endiablée, la salle se transforme en une immense boule disco vibrant sur les succès légendaires qui s'enfilent. Pensez à Dancing Queen, Super Trouper et Mamma Mia, vous voyagez l'âme euphorique avec le coeur léger, le pied dansant et le sourire aux lèvres. Dans une atmosphère complice et immersive, les spectateurs deviennent des voyageurs qui se transportent sur cette île baignée de merveilles où les plus grands airs de ABBA résonnent. Geneviève Dorion-Coupal signe une mise en scène théâtrale étonnante et recherchée. Treize artistes, musiciens et danseurs partagent la scène présentant une facture visuelle éclatée au design surprenant dans un univers décalé où le modernisme et le <> se côtoient à la perfection.

ABBA Celebration

Théâtre Capitole

The Wallflowers will mark the 30th anniversary of their landmark album Bringing Down the Horse with a nationwide U.S. tour kicking off April 17, 2026. The band will perform their classic album in its entirety, in sequence. The tour will also include a performance at Stagecoach, the world’s largest country music festival.

The Wallflowers

Count Basie Center for the Arts

Helen Hunt and Kenneth Branagh play Ranyevskaya and Lopakhin, giants at war over a cherished estate. Madame Ranyevskaya returns from five years in Paris to find her house crumbling under the weight of debt and memory and her beloved cherry orchard under threat. Attempting to mend her extravagance, Lopakhin, the son of a serf, has mortgaged the estate and now wants to sell it off.

The Cherry Orchard

Swan Theatre

Podcast link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XZ_ZQW5C2pw&amp;t=2s

The Artelize Podcast Presenting Will Shutes: 'Bring it down out of the clouds to human being level'

Podcast link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PFe6mW6x9pc

The Artelize Podcast: 'Amplifying What Makes Us Human'. A conversation with Zuly E. Inirio

Podcast link: https://youtu.be/4hagYvrYbuM

The Artelize Podcast and Kasper Holten - Pedefining Opera for the modern world

Podcast link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d36M5Hi6O80

The Artelize Podcast - A legacy of innovation in Opera: Celebrating Marc A. Scorca

Joe Hisaishi will return to Radio City Music Hall for on August 11-17, featuring music from iconic Studio Ghibli classics, plus scores from Takeshi Kitano, Isao Takahata films and more.

Joe Hisaishi

Radio City Music Hall

Experience the magic of musical theatre with Lloyd Webber Harrison Musicals on April 23, 2026. This London-based performing arts organization is bringing the enchanting world of 'Cats: The Jellicle Ball' to the Broadhurst Theatre in New York, US. Immerse yourself in a night of captivating performances, unforgettable melodies, and stunning choreography. The curtain rises at 19:00, so don't miss your chance to witness this spectacular show. Book your tickets now through the official link and join us for an evening that promises to be a feast for the senses. For more information, visit lwentertainment.com.

CATS: The Jellicle Ball

Broadhurst Theatre 

This new production commemorates 30 years since Larson’s death on the very eve of his greatest success.

The Jonathan Larson Project

Southwark Playhouse Borough

“The Wings” is a charitable home for retired actresses, women who once lived at the very center of applause and public admiration, and who must now learn how to live together when the curtain has long since fallen. Coward’s signature wit is radical in its insistence that these women are not relics of a bygone era, but fully realized human beings who are sharp, opinionated, funny, difficult, generous, and full of life. They are voices shaped by experience, artistry, and survival. With poignant humor, Waiting in the Wings reminds us that if we are to live fully, we must continue to grow and recognize that a life well led is measured not by applause, but by connection.

Noël Coward's Waiting in the Wings

Will Geer Theatricum Botanicum

Designed for adults of all singing levels, these classes offer a supportive space to build vocal confidence and enjoy group singing. Led by professional artists, participants learn technique and explore a range of repertoire.

Wesfarmers Arts Singing Classes

UWA Conservatorium of Music

Wigmore Studio

The University of Western Australia

A long winter thaws in Harrenhal, and spring is promised. At a lavish banquet on the eve of a jousting tournament, lovers meet and revellers speculate about who will contend. But in the shadows, amid growing unease at the bloodthirsty actions of the realm’s merciless Mad King, dissenters from his inner circle anxiously advance a treasonous plot. Far away, the drums of battle sound.

Game Of Thrones: The Mad King

Royal Shakespeare Theatre

Started in 2011, Black Philanthropy Month (BPM) is an annual global celebration and campaign to elevate African-descent giving and funding equity. Activities celebrate the joy and sense of renewal from giving to and by members of African diasporic communities.

Plowshares achieves this objective in two ways: by focusing attention on the art and opportunities we create in service to the community and second, by encouraging our patrons, families, and friends to embody the spirit of Harambee, the Kenyan giving philosophy, which means “all pull together.” By sharing their wealth with us for the public good, we focus on the impact of donating to Black causes with mutual social responsibility.

Black Philanthropy Month

Wayne State University

Rienzi, Wagner's third opera, was once his greatest success. The performance in Bayreuth is a unique opportunity to rediscover Wagner's early triumph – in a place where it has never been heard before.

Rienzi

Bayreuth Festival Theatre

A rare meeting of two legends: Daniel Barenboim and Yo-Yo Ma have shaped musical history over the past half-century. But there is more that binds them. Both regard music as the most powerful path to mutual understanding and have long been committed to intercultural dialogue. With his Silk Road Project, Yo-Yo Ma built a bridge from Asia to the West and continues to transcend boundaries between genres and cultures in his latest projects in order to foster social cohesion. Since 1999 Barenboim has kept the vision of reconciliation alive through the West-Eastern Divan Orchestra, made up largely of Israeli, Palestinian, and Arab musicians — a vision that resonates all the more in our conflict-ridden time.

West-Eastern Divan Orchestra | Daniel Barenboim | Yo-Yo Ma

All performers subject to change without notice. Must be 18 or Over to attend. Seating is best available within the zone purchased. Seats are NOT assigned.

BGCC: Brad Garrett with Alonzo Bodden

Brad Garrett's Comedy Club

Joe Hisaishi conducting and performing his most cherished works on piano alongside a full orchestra and choirwith film scenes presented on screen, featuring music from Studio Ghibli classics, plus scores from Takeshi Kitano, Isao Takahata films and more.

Olivia Dean: The Art of Loving Live at The Garden on August 14, 15, 17 & 18.

Olivia Dean

Madison Square Garden

Sizwe Bansi is Dead

The Fountain Theatre

Francesca Zambello’s acclaimed production of Madame Butterfly returns to Glimmerglass, directed by Joshua Horowitz and conducted by Joseph Colaneri. This elegant, visually stunning staging presents a nuanced examination of the American presence in Japan and the cultural collision at the heart of Puccini’s timeless masterpiece.

Madame Butterfly

Glimmerglass Festival

When powerful newspaper publishers raise prices at the newsboys' expense, the charismatic Jack Kelly rallies newsies from across the city to strike against the unfair conditions. Together, the newsies learn that they are stronger united and create a movement to fight for what's right.

Summer School: Newsies JR.

The Pavilion Gardens

So, it’s time to prepare yourselves for Horrible Histories live on stage with the return of Barmy Britain – the best bits!  

Can you beat battling Boudica? Will King John be a martyr for the Magna Carta? What if you caught the putrid plague? Can Parliament survive gunpowder Guy? Would you stand and deliver to dastardly Dick Turpin? Escape the clutches of Burke and Hare and take a terrible trip with the Night Soil Men!

Participants in the Compo...

Lucerne Festival

ABBA Celebration

ABBA Célébration

The Wallflowers

Count Basie Center for the Arts

The Cherry Orchard

Royal Shakespeare Company

The Artelize Podcast Pres...

Artelize

The Artelize Podcast: 'Am...

Artelize

The Artelize Podcast and ...

Artelize

The Artelize Podcast - A ...

Artelize

Joe Hisaishi

Radio City Music Hall

CATS: The Jellicle Ball

Lloyd Webber Harrison Musicals

The Jonathan Larson Proje...

Southwark Playhouse

Noël Coward's Waiting in ...

Wesfarmers Arts Singing C...

West Australian Opera

Game Of Thrones: The Mad ...

Royal Shakespeare Company

Black Philanthropy Month

Plowshares Theatre Company

Rienzi

Bayreuther Festspiele

West-Eastern Divan Orches...

Lucerne Festival

BGCC: Brad Garrett with A...

Brad Garrett's Comedy Club

Joe Hisaishi

The Bowery Presents

Olivia Dean

The Theater at Madison Square Garden

Sizwe Bansi is Dead

Fountain Theatre

Madame Butterfly

Glimmerglass Festival

Summer School: Newsies JR...

Buxton Opera House

Horrible Histories: Barmy...

Apollo Theatre