Prepare to embark on a captivating musical journey with the Madison Symphony Orchestra as they present a series of transformative concerts. From the cinematic 'Primal Light' exploring themes of resurrection, to the joyful 'A Madison Symphony Christmas 2025,' and the world premiere of 'Voices Eternal,' each event offers a unique blend of sound, emotion, and artistry. Featuring celebrated performers and innovative compositions, these concerts promise to resonate with audiences, inviting them to explore the depths of human experience and celebrate the power of music.

A Journey Through Sound: Madison Symphony Orchestra's Upcoming Events

Beethoven’s Fifth Symphony is often described as “fate knocking at the door.” The symphony reflects his personal struggle with adversity and his triumph over despair — bursting with vitality, defiance, and an unshakable belief in the human spirit — transcending its time and place to become a symbol and voice of resilience, freedom, and hope. Looking to the future, the MSO has commissioned composer Jake Heggie and librettist Gene Scheer to create a world premiere work in celebration of our 100th Anniversary. EARTH: A Choral Symphony will celebrate our beautiful planet and humanity’s place on it. Composed in four movements, the piece explores themes of truth and possibility, with each movement touching on a different aspect of the wonder of Earth and our place in its story. John DeMain and the Madison Symphony Orchestra, famed Met Opera soprano Ailyn Pérez, and three choruses, will weave together elements of the story in these world premiere performances. We invite you to witness the birth of this dramatic new work that will speak of our Earth, the vibrant place we share together.

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Voices Eternal

Overture Center for the Arts

This spectacular annual celebration has become a joyful way to begin the holiday season in our community for concertgoers of all ages. It’s no wonder that Maestro DeMain is bringing two of his favorite soloists, soprano Alexandra LoBianco and bass-baritone Kyle Ketelsen, to share their gifts, for his 32nd season. The Madison Symphony Chorus, Madison Youth Choirs, and the Mt. Zion Gospel Choir join us to bring this special concert to life. You’ll experience the same blend of familiar and new once again this year. The experience starts with caroling in the lobby with the Chorus before each performance to set the mood. Bring your family and friends to share this beloved Madison tradition with us!

A Madison Symphony Christmas 2025

This concert opens with a fresh take on the story of resurrection with lush layers of colorful sound evoking a cinematic feel. Resurrexit by Mason Bates will take you on a mystical pilgrimage with shimmering exotic tonalities that give way to contemplation and dramatic stirrings of rebirth. César Franck’s Symphonic Variations is a masterpiece of collaboration between piano and orchestra celebrating the interplay of poetic musical voices. Christopher Taylor’s virtuosic artistry is a perfect fit for this intimate and lyrical work. Gustav Mahler’s Symphony No. 2 is one of the most profound and transformative works ever. Written over six years, it journeys from a somber funeral march to a luminous vision of resurrection and renewal. Mahler once described this symphony as “my whole life in one work.” Themes of struggle, hope, and transcendence will bring us to a glorious reassurance of light in our lives.

Primal Light

Our spectacular annual Christmas concerts have become a beloved musical holiday tradition in Madison. This year includes everything you’ve come to expect: uplifting choral performances by the Madison Symphony Chorus, Madison Youth Choirs, and a rousing Gospel climax led by John DeMain and the Mt. Zion Gospel Choir with the entire cast. Two dynamic vocal soloists, Madison-based soprano Vanessa Becerra and baritone Craig Irvin, will join us to celebrate the start of the holiday season. 

A Madison Symphony Christmas 2024

The Verdi Requiem is one of those works that moves you to the very core of your being, combining spine-tingling power with moments of sublime beauty. The Madison Symphony Chorus joins us under the direction of Beverly Taylor, who has a very special love for this piece and will inspire the chorus to great heights. Two very special people who have graced us with their talents over the years, soprano Alexandra LoBianco and bass Kyle Ketelsen join debuting artists tenor Jonathan Burton and mezzo-soprano Margaret Gawrysiak (also of Madison Opera’s Opera in the Park) as our soloists. Their glorious voices are alone worth the price of admission. I so love this piece and am so grateful to be able to perform it during my anniversary year.

Boundless Beauty

Our traditional and beloved Christmas concert returns in all of its aural and visual splendor, with our own Madison Symphony Chorus, The Madison Youth Choirs, and the Mt. Zion Gospel Choir. Joining us will be soprano Evelyn Saavedra, who recently starred in our Voices of Spring organ gala, bringing to us a voice of great beauty and a charming personality as well. Those of you who attended Madison Opera’s 2022 Opera in the Park will remember Limmie Pulliam’s show stopping performance of Puccini’s Nessun dorma. This remarkable tenor will join us as well, for a perfect way to start the holiday season.

A Madison Symphony Christmas

Our traditional and beloved Christmas concert returns in all of its aural and visual splendor, with our own Madison Symphony Chorus, The Madison Youth Choirs, and the Mt. Zion Gospel Choir. Joining us will be soprano Evelyn Saavedra, who recently starred in our Voices of Spring organ gala, bringing to us a voice of great beauty and a charming personality as well. Those of you who attended Madison Opera’s Opera in the Park last summer will remember Limmie Pulliam’s show stopping performance of Puccini’s Nessun dorma. This remarkable tenor will join us as well, for a perfect way to start the holiday season. – John DeMain, Music Director

Enjoy an all-out thrilling climax to our season with audience favorite Carmina Burana with its highly rhythmic and primitive score performed by Beverly Taylor’s MSO Chorus and three dynamic soloists (whom many of you will know from their recent work with Madison Opera). And MSO audiences will get to know Florence Price, a highly popular composer from the 1930s, who is having a major renaissance in the symphonic world.

Renaissance & Passion

Madison Symphony and Opera favorite, Adriana Zabala, joins UW–Madison Alumnus and Broadway star, Nate Stampley, for this season’s Christmas concert. Our traditional partnerships with Madison Youth Choirs, Mt. Zion Gospel Choir and our own Madison Symphony Chorus will continue as we officially kick off the Madison holiday season.

It’s Madison’s favorite holiday musical tradition. Bring family and friends and celebrate the season with the Madison Symphony. Carols, classics, and sparkling holiday favorites – there’s even a visit from Santa!

Madison Symphony Chorus

4 - 6 Dec, 2026

A Madison Symphony Christmas 2026

1 - 3 May, 2026

Voices Eternal

5 - 7 Dec, 2025

A Madison Symphony Christmas 2025

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