Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra Upcoming Events & Tickets
Event Details
Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra 2025-26 Season Info
The Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra launches an uplifting new chapter with Cristian Măcelaru stepping into his role as Music Director in the 2025–26 season, following a period of preparation as Music Director-Designate. Măcelaru, recognized internationally for his passionately detailed interpretations, is set to bring fresh energy and a renewed artistic focus to the ensemble.
Opening night promises to be a highlight: on October 3–4, Măcelaru makes his official debut with the CSO in a program that showcases contemporary and classic excellence. The evening features Anna Clyne’s Abstractions, followed by Gershwin’s Piano Concerto in F featuring soloist Hélène Grimaud, and concludes with Strauss’s luxuriant Suite from Der Rosenkavalier.
Throughout the season, the CSO celebrates America’s diverse cultural heritage with a programming blend of revered classics and bold new creations. Highlights include Dvořák’s Seventh Symphony paired with Carlos Simon’s Tales: A Folklore Symphony, Copland’s Variations on a Shaker Melody, and Lisa Bielawa’s Violin Concerto Pulse with soloist Tessa Lark, making her CSO debut.
Renowned cellist Yo-Yo Ma returns for a special concert with the orchestra in mid-November, while holiday music comes to life in a performance of Handel’s Messiah, featuring the distinguished May Festival Chorus and a cast of top-tier vocal soloists.
The season also includes powerful remembrances in January, with a program honoring Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., including the CSO premiere of Margaret Bonds’s Montgomery Variations, narrated by Morris Robinson, tracing pivotal events in civil rights history. Acclaimed poet Rita Dove contributes new verse to accompany Barber’s stirring Adagio for Strings, followed by selections from Marsalis’s Blues Symphony.
Later, audiences can immerse themselves in Stravinsky’s vivid The Firebird, staged with puppetry by director-producer Janni Younge, blending artistry and storytelling. Additional standout programs include an all-Mozart concert with Dame Jane Glover, a dramatic rendition of Rachmaninoff’s The Bells led by Matthias Pintscher, and a closing tribute featuring James Conlon in concert with acclaimed cellists Renaud Capuçon and Esther Yoo, exploring Mozart, Haydn, and Beethoven.
This season embodies a harmonious fusion of tradition, innovation, and storytelling — rooted in legacy yet looking forward with vision.
Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra 2025-26 Tickets Info
Tickets for Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra 2025-26 live performances are available now through EventsChaser, with NO hidden service fees. Prices generally range from $60 to $150 for most classical and special event concerts at Music Hall, depending on the seat location, program, and performance day. Featured performances — such as opening weekend with Hélène Grimaud, the return of Yo-Yo Ma, or visually enhanced productions like The Firebird with live puppetry — can reach $190 or more for premium seats in the best sections of the hall.
Mid-range seating typically falls between $75 and $125, offering strong acoustics and sightlines in both orchestra and balcony levels. Lower-priced options are often available in the gallery or for less high-profile performances, making it easier for new audiences to attend. Whether attending a world premiere, holiday celebration, or a weekend masterwork, the orchestra presents a broad range of pricing designed to welcome listeners with different budgets and concert-going experience.
About Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra
The Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra (CSO) is one of the oldest and most respected orchestras in the United States, founded in 1895. Based at the iconic Music Hall in Cincinnati’s Over-the-Rhine neighborhood, the CSO is known for its bold programming, commitment to new music, and deep connection to its community. Over the years, it has premiered dozens of major works and has remained a vital force in shaping the American orchestral landscape.
The orchestra has worked with many of the world’s leading conductors and soloists, while also fostering long-standing relationships with artists who champion contemporary composers. Its extensive discography spans both standard repertoire and groundbreaking new commissions, and its performances often reflect a blend of tradition and innovation. The CSO also serves as the official orchestra for the Cincinnati May Festival, one of the oldest choral festivals in the U.S.
Beyond the concert hall, the CSO plays a major role in music education and outreach. It runs youth programs, in-school concerts, and community engagement initiatives aimed at making orchestral music accessible and relevant to a broader audience. With its artistic excellence and inclusive spirit, the Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra continues to be a cultural leader both in the Midwest and on the national stage.
