Composer

American Reflections explores the many voices of a nation in music both intimate and grand. Joan Tower’s Made in America opens with bold energy, followed by Kevin Puts’ Letters from Georgia, a song cycle inspired by Georgia O’Keeffe’s letters, featuring soprano Katie Van Kooten. Narrator Ray Horak brings President Lincoln’s words to life in Copland’s A Lincoln Portrait, before Barber’s Symphony No. 1 closes the program with sweeping lyricism.

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American Reflections

Skagit Valley College

Scarred by cold criticism after the premiere of his First Symphony, Rachmaninoff believed he’d never write another. But after a 10-year battle with creative self-doubt, his next symphony proved a triumphant success — a testament to the composer’s resilience and his ability to pierce the heart with music of profound beauty. With its aching lyricism and fevered sensuality, Rachmaninoff’s Symphony No. 2 embraces love and loss, passion and despair, while offering some of the most ravishing melodies ever written.

Rachmaninoff & Time for Three

Morton H. Meyerson Symphony Center

Celebrate America’s 250th Anniversary in this unforgettable evening! Kevin Put's Heartland and Iowa’s Linda Robbins Coleman’s In Good King Charles’s Golden Days set the stage for the sweeping American Mosaic by Peter Boyer and photographer/video artist Joe Sohm, complete with historic narration and dramatic images of American life on a giant screen above the Orchestra. The Harlem Quartet brings Michael Abels’ Urban Legends to life before Bernstein’s electrifying Symphonic Dances from West Side Story.

Season Debut: Unity – American Mosaic & West Side Story

Des Moines Civic Center

Join Music Director Andreas Delfs and four outstanding RPO soloists in the intimate setting of Beston Hall at the campus of Nazareth University for our popular Sunday Matinees at Naz Series that celebrate the orchestra’s artistry through beloved classics and compelling contemporary works.

Sunday Matinees at NAZ: Andreas & Haydn

Glazer Music Performance Center

International superstar and America’s most celebrated soprano Renée Fleming joins your Hawaiʻi Symphony Orchestra for a Halekulani Masterworks season finale! Inspired by her 2023 GRAMMY® Award-winning album, Voice of Nature: the Anthropocene comes to the symphonic stage. Experience the majesty of nature with stunning film projections by the National Geographic Society, accompanying inspired songs, arias by Handel and Puccini, music from Lord of the Rings and Carousel, contemporary hits by Björk, Kevin Puts, and Nico Muhly , and selections by famed film composer Ennio Morricone.

Renée Fleming: Voice of nature: the anthropocene

Blaisdell Concert Hall

"We want you to feel a part of that, because you are." These words from Nathalie Joachim’s Family resonate with the spirit of the SLSO’s 25/26 season. Our extraordinary year culminates with the lush soundscapes of Ravel’s Daphnis and Chloé, collaborations with the IN UNISON and St. Louis Symphony Choruses, and music by two of the SLSO’s dearest friends. As nearly 300 musicians fill the stage and captivated audiences fill Powell Hall, we celebrate the transformative power of music and community.

Ravel’s Daphnis and Chloé

Powell Hall

Seduction is the subtext in this program that pairs Richard Strauss’s portrait of the famous fictional philanderer and Ravel’s Bolero, whose relentless pulse mirrors the beat of desire. Beyond the bedroom, we turn our gaze to galaxies far, far away, as Pulitzer Prize–winning composer Kevin Puts’sContact imagines encounters with other beings.

Bolero and Don Juan

Kimmel Center for the Performing Arts

We close the season with a program that explores where we come from and who we are. Damien Geter’s Sinfonia Americana sets the tone with rich, pastoral sounds that evoke the American landscape, while Kevin Puts’s lyrical Flute Concerto displays the soaring skill of flutist Demarre McGill. Our journey ends with Tchaikovsky’s Symphony No. 5, a powerful portrait of personal triumph and rediscovery.

Tchaikovsky's Fifth

Paul Shaghoian Memorial Concert Hall

Dedicated to Music Director Stéphane Denève and the SLSO, Kevin Puts’ Concerto for Orchestra is a complex, beautiful, and satisfying emotional journey. This music resonates in Powell Hall alongside a new work by Chinese composer Jasmine Guo and Beethoven’s magnificent, heroic Emperor Piano Concerto, performed with finesse by the SLSO’s good friend, acclaimed pianist Víkingur Ólafsson.

Beethoven’s Emperor Concerto

The Virginia B. Toulmin Foundation Orchestral Commissions Program: American Composers Orchestra and League of American Orchestras have established two 30-orchestra consortiums, each supporting commissions by six women and nonbinary EarShot alumni. Each composer writes a 6–8 minute orchestral work and develops an educational or community-focused program presented in partnership with each orchestra. In the 2025–26 season, composers have their works performed by nineteen orchestras across the U.S.

Virginia B. Toulmin Commission by Moni Jasmine Guo with Saint Louis Symphony Orchestra

Pulitzer Prize–winning composer Kevin Puts will visit WashU for a lecture on his work and creative process. He is currently the composer in residence at the St. Louis Symphony Orchestra. Puts is widely known for his opera Silent Night, which won the 2012 Pulitzer Prize for Music, and his compositions have been performed by leading orchestras, opera companies, and chamber ensembles around the world. Currently a professor of composition at the Peabody Institute of Johns Hopkins University, he will share insights into his work and his career as one of today’s prominent American composers.

Department of Music Lecture: Kevin Puts, Pulitzer-Prize winning composer

Music Classroom Building

Music has a pulse, a heartbeat that connects us all. Sibelius’ Valse Triste begins in a hush, a waltz that feels like a dream just out of reach. Then, LSO’s own Matthew Beck steps forward for Puts’ Marimba Concerto, a piece that plays with rhythm, texture, and the sheer joy of sound. We close with Beethoven’s Symphony No. 7, a piece that never stands still—its rhythms drive forward, lifting us higher with every note. This is music that asks us to move, to feel, to be present in the moment.

Sibelius, Puts, & Beethoven

Wharton Center for Performing Arts

Music by three of America’s most respected contemporary composers comes together for a thrilling ride to the far corners of the galaxy. The orchestra blasts into space with John Adams’ driving fanfare, exploring the great beyond with selections from John Williams’ iconic film scores such as E.T. The Extra-Terrestrial and Star Wars. The SLSO also explores a new work by composer-in-residence Kevin Puts, who has often named John Williams as an early inspiration. Puts’ Contact features the Grammy-winning trio, Time for Three, in an otherworldly piece that contemplates the fundamental human need for contact.

John Williams and Kevin Puts

Enjoy the beauty of American music shaped by natural resources and diverse traditions. From Beethoven’s timeless Symphony No. 4 to Kevin Puts’ Latin-inspired Marimba Concerto, featuring marimba soloist Ji Su Jung, this concert highlights the sounds of wood, string, and percussion-crafting an American identity from the world around us. Sponsored by Friends of the Symphony.

Vibrations from Nature and Tradition

The Lincoln Center

Beethoven’s Fifth Symphony

Mayo Performing Arts Center

New Jersey Performing Arts Center

INCLEMENT WEATHER UPDATE: Due to the winter storm forecast, we have made the difficult decision to postpone this concert out of concern for the safety of our audience, artists, and staff. The performance has been rescheduled for Tuesday, February 24, 2026 at 7:30PM. All tickets will be honored for the new date in your original seat location and no action is required if you are able to attend.We appreciate your understanding and flexibility, and we look forward to welcoming you on Tuesday. We know how much anticipation surrounds each performance, which has made this decision especially difficult. Thank you for your continued support and presence in our community.

Joyce DiDonato, Mezzo-soprano Time for Three

Richardson Auditorium

KU Wind Ensemble & Wind Symphony Concert

University of Kansas

Renowned mezzo-soprano and 2025/26 CSO Artist-in-Residence Joyce DiDonato takes center stage in Emily, an extraordinary collaboration with the classical-roots string trio Time For Three. Together, they bring to life 24 vivid poems by Emily Dickinson, set to music by Pulitzer Prize-winning composer Kevin Puts (The Hours, Silent Night). Bold, enigmatic and deeply evocative, Dickinson’s poetry finds new resonance in this captivating musical journey.

Joyce DiDonato in Emily – No Prisoner Be

Chicago Symphony Orchestra

Born in South Korea, Ms. Jung began studying marimba at age three, a rarity among percussionists. Since launching her career as a soloist, she has performed concertos with such leading orchestras and conductors as the Baltimore Symphony Orchestra with Marin Alsop, the Sarasota Orchestra with Giancarlo Guerrero, the Houston Symphony with Daniel Hege, the Aspen Festival Orchestra with Michael Stern, the Colorado Music Festival Orchestra with Peter Oundjian, the Colorado Springs Philharmonic with JoAnn Falletta, the Grand Rapids Symphony with Marcelo Lehninger, and the Boise Philharmonic with Eric Garcia.

Rhapsody

Ridgefield Playhouse

Superstar mezzo-soprano Joyce DiDonato’s latest immersive program is an all-star collaboration with Pulitzer Prize-winning composer Kevin Puts and Grammy-winning chamber ensemble Time for Three.

Joyce DiDonato, mezzo-soprano Time for Three

Cal Performances

Opera Orlando is honored to present the Orlando premiere of the Pulitzer Prize winning opera Silent Night with music by Kevin Puts and libretto by Mark Campbell. Based on the screenplay by Christian Carion for the motion picture Joyeux Noël produced by Nord-Ouest and commissioned by Minnesota Opera as part of their New Works Initiative, Silent Night stands alone as the most performed modern opera of our time with a cinematic and compelling retelling of the unbelievable true story of the 1914 WWI Christmas Truce. Silent Night recounts a miraculous moment of peace during one of the bloodiest wars in human history. Scottish, French, and German officers defied their superiors and negotiated a Christmas Eve truce. This powerful work underscores the yearning, despair, and hope of the soldiers living in the trenches. Silent Night masterfully juxtaposes the bombastic sounds of war with serene songs from home, and stands as a heartfelt hymn to our common humanity.

Silent Night

Dr. Phillips Center for the Performing Arts

Don’t miss the Houston premiere of the Pulitzer Prize-winning 2011 opera Silent Night. HGO will present a new production of the opera, in a revised version from hit-making composer Kevin Puts, who recently debuted his The Hours to raves at the Met. Inspired by the 2005 film Joyeux Noël, this powerful portrayal of peace amidst conflict captures the real-life Christmas truce of 1914, during World War I.

Wortham Theater Center

The Academy of St Martin in the Fields joins its Music Director, virtuoso violinist Joshua Bell for a programme featuring Brahms’ magnificent Violin Concerto, showcasing some of Brahms’ richest writing, and Schumann’s vibrant, energetic and joyful ‘Spring’ Symphony No. 1 – both directed by Joshua from the violin.

The programme will also include Kevin Puts’ extraordinary Earth – a contribution to Joshua’s Elements project, consisting of five new commissions shaped around water, air, fire, space and earth. Shaped around a four-note ostinato and lyrical phrases that are traded between the violin and orchestra, Puts’ work is an example of the stability and endurance of this element, as well as acting as a reverent tribute to planet Earth.

Academy of St Martin in the Fields & Joshua Bell 2026

Cadogan Hall 

Tchaikovsky’s Fifth

Lucas Theatre For the Arts

Now that's what you call a well-rehearsed team! Joshua Bell has been Music Director of the Academy of St. Martin-in-the-Fields since 2011 and sees himself as primus inter pares. When necessary, the star violinist also leads the traditional orchestra as soloist in the violin concerto. This is not a given when Johannes Brahms's Violin Concerto is on the podium. The demanding work usually requires a conductor alongside the soloist – just like Robert Schumann's romantic First Symphony. But Joshua Bell and his Academy love the direct contact: "This orchestra knows me so well that they can interpret all my gestures. They know what I mean when I raise my eyebrows or bend my knees." Moreover, the highly virtuosic Brahms Concerto is considered a sonic symbol of the indissoluble bond between soloist and orchestra: it is the first violin concerto in music history of a symphonic nature.

Joshua Bell / Academy of St Martin in the Fields

Elbphilharmonie Hamburg

The marimba is a beautiful, fascinating instrument that doesn’t always get the spotlight,  but in this concerto by the contemporary American composer Kevin Puts, we get to hear it in all its glory. The concert opens with Nancy Galbraith’s Midnight Stirring, another work that shows just how refreshing contemporary composition can be when a composer  embraces a straightforward American sound.  The second half of this concert takes us back to the classics, with music by the little known Italian composer Nicola Porpora (Haydn’s teacher) and the great Wolfgang  Amadeus Mozart writing at the height of his powers.

Mozart & Marimba

Sedona Performing Arts Center

From Aaron Copland’s soaring Appalachian Spring to Charles Ives enigmatic classic, The Unanswered Question, conductor Andrew Crust takes us on an emotional journey full of discovery. Experience the complex beauty of Earthfall from former VSO Composer in Residence, the late Jocelyn Morlock. Grammy® and Emmy®-winning ensemble, Time for Three, defies conventions with genre-bending excellence. TF3’s recent commission, Contact, has enjoyed performances with the leading orchestras and receives its Vancouver premiere.

Appalachian Spring

Centennial Theatre

Orpheum

War and music may seem like opposites, but in Silent Night, they collide in the most extraordinary way. Composer Kevin Puts and librettist Mark Campbell’s Pulitzer Prize–winning opera brings to life the true story of a spontaneous ceasefire on Christmas Eve during World War I—when soldiers on opposite sides of the battlefield found humanity in each other through song.

Broward Center For The Performing Arts

Adrienne Arsht Center for the Performing Arts of Miami-Dade County

In Silent Night, war and music collide in the most extraordinary way. Composer Kevin Puts and librettist Mark Campbell’s Pulitzer Prize-winning opera brings to life the true story of a spontaneous ceasefire on Christmas Eve during World War I, when soldiers on opposite sides of the battlefield found humanity in one another through song.

Ziff Ballet Opera House

Works by Pulitzer Prize and Grammy Award-winning composer Kevin Puts are paired with original pieces by first- and second-year composition students. The program features a mix of large ensembles and smaller chamber groups.

Kevin Puts, guest composer

Yale University

Music has a special way of taking us to new places through time, across different worlds, and into the hearts of those who came before us. This season, the La Jolla Symphony & Chorus warmly invites you to join us on a unique adventure through "Symphony, Song and Story," a seven-concert series celebrating how music can capture imagination, history, and emotion. Through the works of both revered classical masters and innovative contemporary voices, we'll explore profound stories of heroism, transformation, and devotion, each concert offering a new chapter in this season's journey of storytelling through music. From the refined elegance of Rameau and Debussy to the dramatic intensity of Mahler and Bach's St. John Passion, every performance will invite you to delve into the complex emotional landscapes and intricate narratives that only music can reveal. As a subscriber, you're not just a member of the audience; you're part of this incredible journey. Your seat is more than just a spot to listen; it's an invitation to experience the magic of live music. By joining us this season, you help keep this cherished tradition alive and ensure that these exceptional performances remain accessible to everyone in our community. We are so excited to share this season with you and look forward to making it truly unforgettable. Secure your subscription today, and let's continue this journey together.

The French Connection

University of California San Diego

Step into a world of elegance, artistry, and pure musical magic as the legendary Renée Fleming makes her Koerner Hall debut in a spectacular gala event - the most anticipated cultural evening of the season!

For those who seek the ultimate gala experience, an exclusive pre-concert cocktail reception and exquisite dinner set the stage for an unforgettable evening. This is the only way to secure the finest seats in Koerner Hall, offering unparalleled views and an opportunity to celebrate in the company of fellow arts patrons - all in support of The Royal Conservatory’s mission to develop human potential through leadership in music and the arts.

An Intimate Evening with Renée Fleming

The Royal Conservatory of Music

The first percussionist to ever receive the prestigious Avery Fisher Career Grant, Ji Su Jung has a distinctive musical voice that is instantly recognizable for its depth and lyricism. She has performed concertos with such leading orchestras and conductors as the Baltimore Symphony Orchestra with Marin Alsop, the Houston Symphony with Daniel Hege, the Aspen Festival Orchestra with Michael Stern, the Colorado Symphony and the Colorado Music Festival Orchestra with Peter Oundjian, and the Colorado Springs Philharmonic with JoAnn Falletta. Highlights of Jung’s 2023-24 season included concerto appearances with the Kitchener-Waterloo Symphony, the Sarasota Orchestra, and the Wyoming Symphony.

Fall Concert featuring Ji Su Jung, marimba

Delaware Valley University

Grammy-winning soprano Renée Fleming draws inspiration from the vivid imagery of nature's beauty and the urgent need to protect our planet in Voice of Nature: The Anthropocene. This program seamlessly blends timeless classical works with modern compositions, reflecting our evolving relationship with the environment.

Renée Fleming, soprano

Segerstrom Center for the Arts

Celebrations commence as Music Director Stéphane Denève and the SLSO usher in an exhilarating season of reuniting and reveling in the beautifully renovated Powell Hall. The season opens with a trio of fanfares reflecting past, present, and future. Multiple Grammy Award-winning artist Joyce DiDonato and members of the St. Louis Symphony Chorus join the orchestra for the world premiere of a song cycle by composer-in-residence Kevin Puts. And with the thundering roar of percussion and brass, Richard Strauss’ Ein Heldenleben tells a triumphant tale of adventure and accomplishment.

Opening Weekend

One of the most beloved and celebrated singers of our time, five-time GRAMMY-winner Renée Fleming returns to SPAC with an all-new program alongside The Philadelphia Orchestra.

Renée Fleming

Saratoga Performing Arts Center

Glimpse into the love, life and intimacy between two of the 20th century’s most prominent artists. Celebrated soprano Renée Fleming and baritone Rod Gilfry portray painter Georgia O’Keeffe and photographer Alfred Stieglitz as a montage of their lives, captured through art, photos and love letters, is revealed on a screen above the stage

The Brightness Of Light

The Geraldine V. Chavez Center for the Choral Arts

Renée Fleming and Rod Gilfry sing Kevin Puts’s The Brightness of Light, a work created for them and based on letters between painter Georgia O’Keeffe and photographer Alfred Stieglitz​​. The NY Phil Chorus joins the Orchestra for Ravel’s Daphnis et Chloé, a hypnotic dreamscape and one of the composer’s most impressively orchestrated scores, which Juanjo Mena conducts​ ​complete​​​.  

Renée Fleming and Rod Gilfry Sing Kevin Puts

David Geffen Hall

Ensemble Connect

The Juilliard School

Guest conductor Joseph Young gives us an idea of what to anticipate in this exciting concert. “This program is an aural invitation into the ideals of peace, love, and connection that carries forward long after the final notes.” We begin with Samuel Barber’s concise and dramatic Second Essay for Orchestra. Next, the eclectic and genre-bending string trio Time for Three joins our Symphony performing Kevin Puts’ Contact, a Grammy-winning piece written specifically for the group. Intended to premiere in the summer of 2020, Contact took on new meaning as an expression of yearning for human contact during the peak of the pandemic. Maestro Young’s selection of movements from one of the greatest ballet scores of the 20th century, Prokofiev’s Romeo and Juliet, will leave us longing for more. 

Yearnings

Overture Center for the Arts

In the final Classics concert of the season, the Philharmonic presents Time for Three, a classically trained multi-genre string trio and vocalists who will perform Kevin Puts' Contact. Their music stands at the busy intersection of Americana, modern pop, and classical music with performances that combine various styles, and traditions of Western music. Reknowned for their charismatic and energetic performances in Carnegie Hall, The Kennedy Center, and The Royal Albert Hall, Time for Three has collaborated with artists as diverse as Ben Folds, Branford Marsalis, and Joshua Bell.

New World & Time For Three

Victory Theatre

Though the prestigious Avery Fisher Career Grant has been awarded to rising star musicians since 1976, its first solo percussionist was only recognized in 2022: marimba extraordinaire Ji Su Jung. Jung appears for the first time in Allen-Bradley Hall to perform a concerto by Kevin Puts, with an exuberant approach  hailed as “dazzling — filled with breathtaking virtuosity but also beautifully shaped with extraordinary color and nuance” (JoAnn Falleta). MSO Assistant Conductor Ryan Tani returns to the podium to guide this lively program, which begins with Copland’s sentimental paean to the American heartland, Appalachian Spring, and ends with Beethoven’s buoyant and brilliant Fourth Symphony.

Copland’s Appalachian Spring

Warner Grand Theater

Experience the celestial wonders of music with the Omaha Symphony's presentation of "The Planets." This stellar event features Holst’s and Kernis’ masterpieces, alongside the premiere of Kevin Puts’ Concerto for Orchestra, a work first introduced by the St. Louis Symphony in 2023. Under the baton of Music Director Ankush Kumar Bahl, the performance promises an auditory journey through the cosmos.

Scheduled for two nights at the Holland Center, the concerts will take place on Friday, March 21, and Saturday, March 22, both at 7:30 PM. The program includes Aaron Jay Kernis' ethereal "Musica Celestis," Kevin Puts' expansive "Concerto for Orchestra," and Gustav Holst's majestic "The Planets," accompanied by visuals curated by the Omaha Symphony to enhance the experience.

This event is not just a concert but an immersive experience designed to transport the audience to the stars and beyond, celebrating the beauty and vastness of the universe through music. With the Omaha Symphony's commitment to excellence, attendees are guaranteed a performance that combines stellar musicianship with awe-inspiring visuals.

Subscriptions to the Masterworks series are available, offering benefits such as savings, free exchanges, and more. Individual tickets will be on sale in August, but early subscribers can secure their seats today and enjoy the many advantages of being a season subscriber.

Don't miss this opportunity to witness a unique blend of music and visuals, showcasing the talents of the Omaha Symphony and the visionary works of celebrated composers. Join us for "The Planets" and let your imagination soar to the heavens.

The Planets

Omaha Performing Arts

"carmina Burana"

The Long Center for the Performing Arts

Enjoy the beauty of American music shaped by natural resources and diverse traditions. From Beethoven’s timeless Symphony No. 4 to Kevin Puts’ Latin-inspired Marimba Concerto, featuring marimba soloist Ji Su Jung, this concert highlights the sounds of wood, string, and percussion-crafting an American identity from the world around us.

Vibrations: from Nature and Tradition

In a cramped apartment, a man hunches over papers. At 52, Beethoven looks older—he is in constant pain, and rarely appears in public. He is poring over a copy of the popular poem “Ode to Joy” by Friedrich Schiller. His new symphony will be an ambitious, experimental, political work. It will be without precedent, written for orchestra, chorus, and soloists. Its joyful celebration of community will cross the globe. It will change music forever.

Beethoven's Ninth 

Enterprise Center

Mozart & Schubert  Appeal

George Washington Masonic National Memorial

Northern Virginia Community College

Join us for a mesmerizing afternoon at the Joslyn Art Museum with "Tchaikovsky’s Serenade," a signature event by the Omaha Symphony. This annual tradition, set for Sunday, February 2 at 2:00 PM, showcases the orchestra's exceptional talent across all sections: strings, winds, brass, and percussion. Under the baton of Music Director Ankush Kumar Bahl, the program promises an unforgettable experience with compositions that highlight the best in orchestral writing.

The afternoon's program includes Kevin Puts' "Elegy for Brass," Igor Stravinsky's "Symphony of Wind Instruments," and culminates with Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky's "Serenade for Strings." Tchaikovsky's Serenade, a masterpiece of lyrical beauty and emotional depth, promises to be a highlight, showcasing the orchestra's string section's exquisite skill and passion.

Don't miss this opportunity to immerse yourself in the beauty of orchestral music. Individual tickets will be available in August, but consider subscribing to the Symphony Joslyn series today to enjoy savings, free exchanges, and many more benefits. The 6-Concert package is available for just $190, offering a curated selection of performances that promise to enrich and inspire.

Mark your calendars and prepare for an afternoon of stunning music at one of Omaha's most beautiful venues. Whether you're a long-time classical music enthusiast or new to the symphony, "Tchaikovsky’s Serenade" is an event not to be missed.

Tchaikovsky’s Serenade

Joslyn Art Museum

If you’d like to learn more about the music in our concert programs, Concert Talks are just what you need! Before every Masterworks Concert, the Wichita Symphony Orchestra will present pre-concert talks which help prepare you and deepen your understanding of the music to be performed in the program. Sometimes our guest soloists even join Maestro Hege for a discussion of their concerto collaboration! Free to all ticket holders, Concert Talks take place in the Concert Hall one hour prior to each Masterworks performance.

Time For Three

Century II Performing Arts & Convention Center

From the mind of Kevin Puts, one of today’s brightest composers, comes the Denver premiere of the pandemic-era inspired Contact, a triple concerto tailored to the unique talents of the dynamic trio Time for Three — violinists Nick Kendall and Charles Yang and double bassist Ranaan Meyer. The group performs with a breathtaking mix of virtuosity, a funky jazz and pop sensibility, and an exuberant stage presence that owes as much to hip-hop as to classical music. Whether heard as an expression of yearning for human connection or a message being broadcast into the unknown, Contact is a thrilling work that will spark your imagination.

Saint-Saëns Organ Symphony with Christopher Dragon

Denver Performing Arts Complex

The Austin Opera is thrilled to announce the opening of its 2024-2025 Season with a riveting production of "The Manchurian Candidate." This compelling opera, an adaptation of Richard Condon’s 1959 political thriller, is brought to life by the Pulitzer-Prize-winning team of Kevin Puts and Mark Campbell, known for their creation of "Silent Night." Garnering four Austin Critics Table Awards, "The Manchurian Candidate" tells a gripping story of patriotism, corruption, political ambition, and self-sacrifice. The opera makes its highly anticipated return to the Long Center stage in November, following its acclaimed 2016 Austin debut.

Starring in this production is Mark Diamond as Sgt. Raymond Shaw, a U.S. soldier and war hero entangled in a web of political intrigue, with his own mother, Eleanor, played by Metropolitan Opera leading lady Mary Dunleavy, at the center. The cast also features 2024 GRAMMY nominee soprano Rachel Blaustein as Jocelyn, Shaw’s former girlfriend, and commanding bass-baritone Kyle Albertson as Senator Johnny Iselin. GRAMMY award-winning tenor Frederick Ballentine debuts with the company as Captain Ben Marco, Shaw’s war buddy who uncovers the brainwashing plot, leading to a thrilling chase to prevent an assassination.

The production's award-winning staging by Alison Moritz, alongside the Austin Opera Orchestra led by Sarah and Ernest Butler Music Director Timothy Myers, promises an intense and dramatic experience. The opera's powerfully cinematic backdrop is enhanced by Greg Emetaz’s visual projections, Vince Herod’s scenic design, and Kathryn Eader’s dramatic lighting.

Performances are scheduled for Saturday, November 9, 2024, at 7:30 p.m., and Sunday, November 10, 2024, at 2:00 p.m. at the Long Center. Single tickets will go on sale on Thursday, September 5, 2024. This season opener is not just an opera but an immersive experience into a story that combines the best of music, drama, and visual artistry, promising to be an unforgettable highlight of Austin’s cultural calendar.

The Manchurian Candidate

Experience the transformative power of music with "Stravinsky's Firebird" performed by The Phoenix Symphony. Under the baton of the talented Chilean-Italian conductor Paolo Bortolameolli, this concert promises an unforgettable journey through some of the most pivotal works in music history. The program features Debussy's enchanting "Prelude to The Afternoon of a Faun," Stravinsky's groundbreaking "The Firebird Suite 1919," and the Pulitzer Prize-winning "Contact" by Kevin Puts, with the innovative string trio, Time for Three, adding their unique sound to the mix.

This captivating series of performances will take place at Symphony Hall, with shows scheduled for Friday, October 18, 2024, at 7:30 PM, Saturday, October 19, 2024, at 7:30 PM, and a matinee on Sunday, October 20, 2024, at 2:00 PM. Attendees are encouraged to become subscribers to save 20% when attending four or more performances, offering a fantastic opportunity to immerse oneself in the world of classical music throughout the season.

Don't miss this chance to witness the Phoenix Symphony as they explore these monumental pieces that have shaped the course of musical expression. Tickets are available for purchase, with options for the 2023/2024 and 2024/2025 seasons, group tickets, and special discounts for educators, college students, veterans, and more. Join us for a mesmerizing experience that promises to leave you inspired.

Stravinsky's Firebird

Phoenix Convention Center

The Miró Quartet is one of America’s most celebrated and dedicated string quartets, having been labeled by The New Yorker as “furiously committed” and noted by the Cleveland Plain Dealer for its “exceptional tonal focus and interpretive intensity.” For over twenty-five years the Quartet has performed throughout the world on the most prestigious concert stages, earning accolades from critics and audiences alike. Based in Austin, TX, and thriving on the area’s storied music scene, the Miró takes pride in finding new ways to communicate with audiences of all backgrounds while cultivating the longstanding tradition of chamber music.

Miró Quartet

Renaissance Square Event Center

Tulsa Performing Arts Center

Join the Phoenix Symphony for an enriching morning of "Coffee, Conversations & Classics" featuring Stravinsky's Firebird, on Thursday, October 17, 2024, at 10:00 AM in Symphony Hall. This unique event, hosted and moderated by Associate Conductor Alex Amsel, offers attendees a rare glimpse into the working, open rehearsals of the Phoenix Symphony as they prepare for an upcoming concert. The session promises an intimate and casual experience, allowing for direct interaction with the musicians and guest conductor through a Q&A session. Although the music pieces listed may not all be rehearsed on this specific date, the event guarantees an engaging and insightful peek into the orchestral process.

Under the baton of the talented Chilean-Italian conductor Paolo Bortolameolli, the orchestra will explore two revolutionary works that have significantly influenced the course of music history: Debussy’s "Prelude to The Afternoon of a Faun" and Stravinsky’s vibrant and imaginative "The Firebird Suite 1919". Adding to the excitement, the genre-defying string trio, Time for Three, will join the orchestra for a performance of Pulitzer Prize-winning composer Kevin Puts’ "Contact", promising a concert repertoire that is as diverse as it is captivating.

Don't miss this opportunity to deepen your appreciation for classical music and witness the Phoenix Symphony in action. Whether you're a seasoned concertgoer or new to the world of classical music, "Coffee, Conversations & Classics" offers a perfect blend of education, entertainment, and engagement.

Coffee, Conversations & Classics - Stravinsky's Firebird

Join us for a monumental milestone as the Amarillo Symphony celebrates its 100th Anniversary with a spectacular Celebration Concert. This grand event is set to take place on October 11 and 12, 2024, at the Globe-News Center for the Performing Arts, located at 500 S Buchanan St, Amarillo, TX 79101, United States. Each evening, the concert will commence at 7:30 PM, offering attendees a chance to be part of history.

The 100th Celebration Concert promises an unforgettable lineup featuring the Grammy-winning ensemble, Time For Three, and a showcase of new music commemorating the 50th anniversary of the iconic Cadillac Ranch. The concert will also highlight Aaron Copland’s masterpiece, Appalachian Spring, among other significant works by Michael Daugherty and Kevin Puts, including the world premiere of Daugherty's Cadillac Ranch and Puts' Contact.

Under the baton of conductor George Jackson, and with the special participation of Time for Three, this event is not just a concert but a celebration of a century's worth of musical excellence and community engagement. The Amarillo Symphony, a cornerstone of the cultural landscape, invites you to be part of this historic occasion.

Tickets for the 100th Celebration Concert will be available closer to the event date. For more information on ticketing, please contact the Amarillo Symphony at 806-376-8782, Monday through Friday, 9 AM to 5 PM. Don't miss this opportunity to celebrate a century of musical brilliance with the Amarillo Symphony.

100th Celebration Concert

Globe-News Center for the Performing Arts

Inspired by two iconic American women, Pulitzer-prize winning composer Kevin Puts has created a multimedia experience that demands to be seen and heard live. Renée Fleming makes her triumphant return to Toledo, singing from the letters of Georgia O’Keeffe. Joined by baritone Rod Gilfry, who portrays Ms. O’Keeffe’s longtime correspondent and partner Alfred Stieglitz, this orchestral song cycle traces their relationship in a piece that explores the intersection between visual art, letters, the orchestra, and the human voice.  

The Brightness of Light with Renée Fleming

Toledo Museum of Art

Carl St.Clair, principal conductor of the USC Thornton Orchestra Program, leads the USC Thornton Symphony in Robert Schumann's Cello Concerto in A Minor, Op. 129, Kevin Puts' Marimba Concerto and Sergei Prokofiev's Piano Concerto No. 3 in C major, Op. 26.

USC Thornton Symphony: Concerto Night

Bovard Auditorium (ADM)

Immerse yourself in the captivating world of "The Brightness of Light" at the Lyric Opera of Kansas City. This innovative new work, composed by the Pulitzer Prize winner Kevin Puts, delves into the profound and complex relationship between the iconic American artist Georgia O’Keeffe and her husband, the photographer Alfred Stieglitz. Through a series of letters exchanged between the couple, the opera explores the nuances of love, art, and the creative process, painting a vivid picture of their life together.

Scheduled for two exclusive performances, the opera will grace the stage on Friday, September 27, 2024, at 7:30 PM, and on Sunday, September 29, 2024, at 2:00 PM. These performances promise to be a unique blend of opera and Broadway hits, featuring the extraordinary talents of Renée Fleming and Rod Gilfry. The second half of the concert will include a selection of opera and Broadway hits, specially chosen by Fleming and Gilfry for the Lyric Opera audiences.

"The Brightness of Light" is not just an opera but a semi-staged concert experience enhanced with projections. The visual aspect of the performance includes projections of O’Keeffe’s mesmerizing floral artworks, alongside Stieglitz’s compelling compositions, creating a multi-sensory experience that brings the letters and their love story to life. This production is a testament to the enduring power of love and creativity, set against the backdrop of some of the most stunning landscapes and cityscapes that inspired their work.

Under the baton of conductor Robert Moody, with projection design by Paul Vershbow, the opera is performed in English, accompanied by English translations projected above the stage, ensuring that every word and emotion is fully accessible to the audience.

Tickets for the 2024/2025 season, including "The Brightness of Light," will be available for purchase starting July 16, 2024. However, eager fans can secure their seats now by purchasing a subscription for the next season. Don't miss this opportunity to witness a groundbreaking production that celebrates the intersection of love, art, and music at the Lyric Opera of Kansas City.

The Brightness of Light

Lyric Opera of Kansas City

The Academy of St Martin in the Fields and Music Director Joshua Bell perform a stunning programme of Puts, Dvořák and Mozart to Prague, Zurich, Basel and Geneva.

ASMF & Joshua Bell Europe 2024

Stadtcasino Basel

Victoria Hall in Geneva

Rudolfinum

Tonhalle Zürich

The Rochester Philharmonic Orchestra is set to commence its 24/25 season with a captivating performance featuring Tchaikovsky’s Symphony No. 5. Under the baton of Music Director Andreas Delfs, this symphony, known for its emotional depth and timeless melodies, promises to enchant audiences with its passionate and evocative movements. Adding to the evening's allure, the Grammy- and Emmy-award-winning ensemble Time for Three will perform Kevin Puts’ specially composed triple concerto, "Contact." This piece, written for two violins, bass, and orchestra, showcases the ensemble's unique blend of singing and playing, creating a dynamic and immersive musical experience. The concert will also include a pre-concert chat with Maestro Delfs and Julia Figueras, offering insights into the evening's program. This event highlights the Rochester Philharmonic Orchestra's commitment to delivering powerful and memorable performances, blending classical masterpieces with contemporary compositions.

Season Opener: Tchaikovsky’s Fifth

Eastman Theatre

Join us for a mesmerizing journey through art and music at the "Pictures at an Exhibition" concert, presented by the Amarillo Symphony. This unique event will take place on September 13 and 14, 2024, at the Globe-News Center for the Performing Arts, located at 500 S Buchanan St, Amarillo, TX 79101, United States. Each evening will begin at 7:30 PM, offering attendees a captivating experience.

The concert will feature Mussorgsky’s "Pictures at an Exhibition," brought to life with digital art by Geoff Case, creating an immersive visual and auditory experience. The evening will open with Adam Schoenberg’s "GO," a piece inspired by the sounds and excitement of a NASCAR race, setting the stage for an evening of dynamic and engaging performances. Additionally, we are thrilled to welcome back the principal flutist of the Fort Worth Symphony, Jake Fridkis, who will perform Kevin Puts' Flute Concerto, adding a layer of enchanting melodies to the night.

Under the baton of conductor George Jackson, the repertoire will also include Maurice Ravel's "Une barque sur l’océan" and, of course, the highlight of the evening, Modest Mussorgsky's "Pictures at an Exhibition" with Digital Art by Geoff Case. This event promises to be a feast for the senses, blending classical music with contemporary digital art.

Tickets for this event will be available closer to the event date. For more information, please contact the Amarillo Symphony at 806-376-8782 or visit our website. Don't miss this opportunity to experience a unique blend of art and music that will leave you inspired and moved.

Pictures at an Exhibition

Flutist and program curator Catherine Gregory, percussionist Ian Rosenbaum, and soprano Ariadne Greif, explore the relationship of sound, breath, and life through a collection of newly written miniatures by a diverse array of composers. The human voice and percussion join the flute to fashion a trio of the world’s oldest instruments in this theatrically conceived program, Just Breath(e).

Works by Timo Andres, Clarice Assad, Kinan Azmeh, Juhi Bansal, Viet Cuong, Ellis Ludwig-Leone, Diane Monroe and Matthew Evan Taylor are intertwined with specially arranged works by Raven Chacon, Chris Cerrone, and Kevin Puts that play on the same theme.

Music Hike II: Just Breath(E)

Moab Wilderness

Augustin Hadelich, one of the greatest violinists of all time, returns to perform Tchaikovsky’s unparalleled Violin Concerto. The deeply patriotic Dvořák wished to use his music to recognize the struggle and oppression of his fellow Czechs; he wrote of this urgent Seventh Symphony, “What is in my mind is Love, God, and my Fatherland." Kevin Puts’ Two Mountain Scenes, composed “with the impressive backdrop of the Rocky Mountains in mind” and beginning with “the sonic illusion of a single trumpet reverberating across the valley,” opens this wondrous program.

Augustin Hadelich & Dvořák 7

Chautauqua Auditorium

The Glimmerglass Festival proudly presents "Elizabeth Cree," a modern operatic masterpiece by Kevin Puts and Mark Campbell, as a highlight of its 2024 season. Directed by Alison Moritz and featuring the 2024 Artist-in-Residence Tara Erraught in the title role, this new production promises to captivate audiences with its suspenseful and theatrical narrative. Set against the backdrop of 1880s London, the opera intertwines the trial of Elizabeth Cree for her husband's poisoning, a series of brutal murders by a Jack the Ripper-style killer, the vibrant world of an English music hall, and guest appearances by Victorian Age luminaries.

"Elizabeth Cree" is a unique blend of factual and fictive elements, historical and imaginary, originally scored for a small chamber ensemble but performed at Glimmerglass with an expanded string complement. The opera is sung in English with projected English text, ensuring accessibility for all audience members. With a runtime of 1 hour and 40 minutes without an intermission, the performances are scheduled from July 28 to August 20, 2024.

The opera's rich narrative is brought to life by a talented cast, including Christian Mark Gibbs as Dan Leno, John Chest as John Cree, Elizabeth Sutphen as Aveline Mortimer, and Schyler Vargas as Inspector Kildare, among others. The production is generously sponsored by Jacqueline B. Mars, with additional support from The Aaron Copland Fund for Music, Inc.

Set in a world where narratives of personal struggle, mystery, and historical intrigue collide, "Elizabeth Cree" offers a compelling exploration of identity, illusion, and the pursuit of truth. Don't miss the opportunity to experience this thrilling work at The Glimmerglass Festival. Tickets and ticket packages are available now for what promises to be a highlight of the summer's cultural calendar.

Elizabeth Cree

Alice Busch Opera Theater

Join Kevin Puts, Mark Campbell, and Alison Moritz for a captivating discussion about the creative process and how they brought Elizabeth Cree to the stage. These award-winning artists will guide you through the labyrinth of inspiration, discussing the sparks that ignite creativity, the methods to sustain it, and the paths that lead to groundbreaking ideas. From exploring the fusion of imagination and technical skill to examining the role of failure and iteration, this engaging conversation, punctuated with musical excerpts, promises to unveil the secrets behind Elizabeth Cree.

Pipeline Talk: The Artistry Of Creation

The Otesaga Resort Hotel

Join us for an unforgettable evening of chamber music at the Music Academy of the West's x2: III concert, part of the esteemed x2 Series. This special event showcases the incredible synergy between our teaching artists and fellows, bringing together the ultimate masters of chamber music for a series of inspiring performances.

**Event Details:**

- **Date and Time:** 7:30 pm, Thursday, July 11
- **Venue:** Hahn Hall, Music Academy of the West, Santa Barbara, CA
- **Tickets:** Community Access - FREE, Regular Price - Starting at $45

**Program Highlights:**

The concert will feature a diverse and engaging program, including works by Timo Andres, Kevin Puts, Eric Ewazen, and César Franck. The evening promises approximately 2 hours of music with one intermission, offering a journey through some of the most captivating chamber music compositions.

- **Timo Andres:** Some Connecticut Gospel
- **Kevin Puts:** Seven Seascapes
- **Eric Ewazen:** Trio for Trumpet, Violin, and Piano
- **César Franck:** Piano Quintet in F Minor

**Performers:**

A highlight of the evening will be the performances by Conor Hanick (solo piano, chamber music), alongside other distinguished teaching artists and fellows from the Music Academy. These artists bring a wealth of experience and passion to the stage, promising a night of exceptional music-making.

**Special Offer:**

This event qualifies you for a free pre-concert picnic. Upon seat selection, you will be prompted to add this option, allowing you to select a table and enjoy a delightful outdoor dining experience before the concert begins.

**Booking Information:**

- **Tickets:** Available now. Secure your seats early to experience this unique blend of talent and artistry.
- **Ticket Office:** Call 805-969-8787 or visit musicacademy.org for more information and to purchase tickets.

Don't miss this opportunity to witness WHEN FORCES COMBINE, as the Music Academy of the West presents an evening where the future stars of classical music perform alongside their mentors in the beautiful setting of Hahn Hall.

x2: III

Music Academy of the West

Young Artist Orchestras 1

Guilford College

### Listen Up Exhibit Opening - Princeton Symphony Orchestra

**Date and Time:** Sunday, June 9, 2024 - 2:30 PM  
**Location:** Morven Museum and Garden, Stockton Education Center, 55 Stockton Street, Princeton, NJ  
**Admission:** Free and open to the public

Join us for the opening of the Listen Up Exhibit, a unique event showcasing the creative works of middle school students inspired by Kevin Puts' "Contact." This exhibit is part of the Princeton Festival's Family Day and features captivating visual art and literary works created by young artists and writers.

**Event Highlights:**
- **Art & Music Inspired by Kevin Puts' "Contact":** View an array of visual art and read literary pieces that reflect the students' interpretations of the music.
- **Meet the Artists:** Engage with the middle school students whose work is on display and celebrate their artistic achievements.
- **Special Guests:** Maestro Rossen Milanov and members of the genre-defying trio Time For Three—Nick Kendall, Charles Yang, and Ranaan Meyer—will be present to support the young artists.

**About the Listen Up Program:**
The Listen Up Program is an immersive musical and artistic experience designed for middle school-aged children. Participants attend a special performance and workshop by the Princeton Symphony Orchestra (PSO), where they learn about the music and the creative process from the composer or conductor. Following the concert, students express their responses through various creative mediums such as poetry, writing, painting, and collage. This year, the students were inspired by the PSO's performance of "Contact," featuring Time For Three.

**Acknowledgments:**
Special thanks to the Arts Council of Princeton for hosting the 2024 Listen Up workshop.

**Featured Artwork:**
- "Waves of the Shore" by Sally Saliba, 2023 Listen Up artist

Come and celebrate the creativity and imagination of our young artists at this inspiring event!

Listen Up! Exhibit Opening

Morven Museum & Garden 

Pulitzer Prize–winning composer Kevin Puts’s hit new opera, which played to sold-out audiences during its world-premiere production last season, triumphantly returns. The original trio of legendary divas—sopranos Renée Fleming and Kelli O’Hara and mezzo-soprano Joyce DiDonato—reprise their celebrated portrayals of three women from different eras whose lives are connected through Virginia Woolf’s novel Mrs. Dalloway. Bass-baritone Kyle Ketelsen also returns as the dying author Richard, and Kensho Watanabe conducts Phelim McDermott’s gripping staging of this heart-wrenching drama, adapted from Michael Cunningham’s acclaimed novel and the Oscar-winning film it inspired.

The Hours

Lincoln Center

Our three-year festival of American Icons ends with new and old. Time for Three wow-ed our audience to kick off this festival, and now they return to close with music from their grammy winning recording. Copland is the father of the American sound, and his Third Symphony is increasingly recognized as his most outstanding achievement. Help us wrap up the American Icons Festival with this fabulous final entry.

Composer

Kevin Puts

Events

Upcoming events

7 - 15 Nov, 2026

Silent Night · Atlanta Opera

7 - 15 Nov, 2026

Silent Night · Atlanta Opera

Nov 21, 2026

Sounds in Color: Mussorgsky, Garrop, & Puts · Lexington Philharmonic

Dec 5, 2026

Miró Quartet · Chamber Music Monterey Bay

Dec 6, 2026

Miró String Quartet · Chamber Music Marin

Past events

Oct 24, 2026

American Reflections · Skagit Symphony

2 - 4 Oct, 2026

Rachmaninoff & Time for Three · Dallas Symphony Orchestra

About

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