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A Symphony of Cultures: Exploring Music's Endless Horizons at UC Berkeley
This upcoming season, Cal Performances at UC Berkeley promises a captivating lineup of events that celebrate the boundless borders of music and artistic expression. From the genre-defying collaboration of Angélique Kidjo and Yo-Yo Ma, to the classical elegance of Aryeh Nussbaum Cohen, Daniil Trifonov, and Anne Sofie von Otter, audiences will be taken on a journey across various musical landscapes. Whether it’s the vibrant sounds of the Paris Opera Ballet or the evocative performances by Kronos Quartet, this season is set to explore new dimensions of sound and storytelling.
Jul 2, 2025
Share1. Angélique Kidjo and Yo-Yo Ma Sarabande Africaine
Two endlessly curious musicians come together to search beyond the edges of their musical backgrounds, exposing the ways we have all been connected for a very long time; it’s a collaboration that asks us to joyfully question the tenets of genre and tradition that underpin our cultural thinking.
Aug 30, 2025
Cal Performances
Berkeley, CA · University of California, Berkeley
2. Aryeh Nussbaum Cohen, countertenor John Churchwell, piano
In this sweeping program centered on the beauty of the natural world, Aryeh Nussbaum Cohen lends his “ravishing, otherworldly” (Opera News) voice to an exciting collection of familiar and fresh songs. Nussbaum Cohen enjoys venturing beyond the usual countertenor repertoire, and has carved out a unique path by being the only artist of his voice type to record lieder in the Austro-Germanic tradition by Brahms, Clara and Robert Schumann, and Erich Wolfgang Korngold.
Sep 27, 2025
Cal Performances
Berkeley, CA · University of California, Berkeley
3. Daniil Trifonov, piano
Fluent, fleet, fearless, and full of fire, Daniil Trifonov’s thrilling performances are known to bring listeners to the very edge of their seats. The pianist is renowned for constructing gripping narrative arcs across the length of his concerts, and for delivering the most serene, delicate moments in an almost conspiratorial whisper, while building rippling layers of sound to conjure power and emotion from the keyboard.
Sep 28, 2025
Cal Performances
Berkeley, CA · University of California, Berkeley
4. Paris Opera Ballet
Steeped in a revered tradition that dates to the court of Louis XIV, the stunning dancers of the Paris Opera Ballet meet the visceral and emotive choreography of UK-based Hofesh Shechter—“London’s most vital choreographer” (Time Out London)—in the North American premiere of a new full-length work. Noted for his vivid, urgent cinematic tableaus, Shechter’s bold new Red Carpet—which will be danced to live music provided by a quartet of cello, double bass, drums, and a woodwind instrument—has been envisioned especially for this exquisite French company and will premiere in Paris this June/July.
2 - 4 Oct, 2025
Cal Performances
Berkeley, CA · University of California, Berkeley
5. Anne Sofie von Otter, mezzo-soprano Kristian Bezuidenhout, fortepiano
The magisterial mezzo-soprano Anne Sofie von Otter has shown that her formidable powers know no bounds—from her diva status as the superlative Octavian (Der Rosenkavalier) of her generation; to long associations with Carlos Kleiber, Claudio Abbado, and Sir Colin Davis, and genre-crossing collaborations with Elvis Costello, Brad Mehldau, and Rufus Wainwright.
Oct 5, 2025
Cal Performances
Berkeley, CA · University of California, Berkeley
6. Kronos Quartet
Since its founding 50 years ago, the peerless Kronos Quartet has revolutionized what a string quartet can be. Through collaborations with musicians and composers across the globe, robust commissioning initiatives, pace-setting educational programs, and just plain stellar musicianship, Kronos has made concert music relevant and responsive to the people and issues of our time.
Oct 11, 2025
Cal Performances
Berkeley, CA · Cal Performances
7. Isidore Quartet
Praised for its “total commitment” (The Strad) as an ensemble and for “exquisitely unified playing” (Washington Classical Review), the fabulous Isidore Quartet returns with a program that combines familiar repertoire with an exciting recent discovery. Gabriella Smith’s Carrot Revolution mines contrasting musical influences to explore, in her words, “new ways of looking at old things.” Haydn’s burnished and brilliant Sunrise quartet represents the height of his mastery, and Dvořák’s joyful penultimate quartet in G major is bursting with color and lyricism.
Oct 12, 2025
Cal Performances
Berkeley, CA · University of California, Berkeley
8. Philharmonia Orchestra
London’s stellar Philharmonia Orchestra returns to Berkeley with Finnish maestro Santtu-Matias Rouvali—one of the most sought-after conductors of his generation—making his Berkeley debut! In two programs featuring 2025–26 season Artist in Residence Víkingur Ólafsson, orchestra, conductor, and soloist take us on a spectacular journey through a sublime collection of works, from Romantic masterpieces to an exciting new commission.
18 - 19 Oct, 2025
Cal Performances
Berkeley, CA · Cal Performances
9. Lila Downs
Celebrate Día de los Muertos, the Day of the Dead, with Grammy- and Latin Grammy-winning Mexican American singer Lila Downs.
Oct 25, 2025
Cal Performances
Berkeley, CA · Cal Performances
10. Nobuyuki Tsujii, piano
Japanese pianist Nobuyuki Tsujii—known to his legion of fans simply as Nobu—is that rare classical musician with a pop star’s following. Since winning the gold medal at the Van Cliburn International Piano Competition, he has gone on to a stellar international career, filling concert halls with his emotionally direct, charismatic interpretations.
Oct 30, 2025
Cal Performances
Berkeley, CA · Cal Performances
Conclusion
From classical recitals to innovative ballet, the Cal Performances season at UC Berkeley is a celebration of music's capacity to transcend boundaries and foster cross-cultural appreciation. Each event offers a unique opportunity to experience the depth and breadth of artistic expression, whether through the soulful melodies of Angélique Kidjo and Yo-Yo Ma, or the timeless elegance of the Philharmonia Orchestra. As we anticipate this season's performances, we are reminded of music's enduring power to connect us all, inviting us to listen, reflect, and rejoice in the shared tapestry of human creativity.
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