Chicago Symphony Orchestra Upcoming Events & Tickets
Event Details
Chicago Symphony Orchestra 2025-26 Season Info
The Chicago Symphony Orchestra (CSO) opens its 2025–26 season with a gala Season Opening Concert led by conductor Nikolaj Szeps‑Znaider, joined by Joyce DiDonato, who serves as the CSO’s Artist-in-Residence for the season. The program includes vocal and orchestral highlights by Richard Strauss, Bizet, Mendelssohn, Weber, and Wagner, setting a celebratory tone for the year.
Mid-season highlights include performances of Ravel’s Piano Concerto alongside the Suite from Carmen, as well as works like Piccolo Play and Adagio for Strings — offering a rich blend of color, drama, and intimacy. Another standout event brings Philippe Jordan to the podium with guest violinist Augustin Hadelich performing Dvořák’s Violin Concerto, paired with Brahms’s Symphony No. 2 — an emotional centerpiece of the lineup.
The season also spotlights Klaus Mäkelä conducting alongside rising-star pianist Yunchan Lim, though detailed programming for this pairing hasn’t yet been released. In a festive note, András Deák leads the traditional Salute to Vienna New Year’s Concert, while the season continues into 2026 in cinematic style as composer Joe Hisaishi conducts the CSO in his own works — featuring his Second Symphony, Castle in the Sky, and the Spirited Away Suite.
Chicago Symphony Orchestra 2025 Tickets Info
Tickets for Chicago Symphony Orchestra 2025-26 live performances are available now through EventsChaser, with NO hidden service fees. Prices generally range from $70 to $180 for most classical and special event concerts at Symphony Center, depending on seat location, program, and day of the week. Top-tier events — such as high-profile guest artists, full-length operatic works, or film scores performed live — can exceed $200 for prime seating. For most performances, mid-range seats fall between $85 and $135, offering excellent acoustics and a clear view of the stage from the Terrace or Main Floor.
About Chicago Symphony Orchestra
The Chicago Symphony Orchestra (CSO) is one of the most respected and celebrated orchestras in the world, known for its rich sound, exceptional musicianship, and deep-rooted legacy in American classical music. Founded in 1891, the CSO has built a reputation for excellence across generations, performing a wide range of repertoire — from core symphonic works to new commissions — while regularly collaborating with some of the most influential conductors and soloists in the industry.
The orchestra performs primarily at Symphony Center in downtown Chicago, a historic venue that houses both the CSO and a variety of visiting artists through the Symphony Center Presents series. The CSO is also the cornerstone of the Chicago Symphony Orchestra Association, which includes its acclaimed CSO Chorus, Civic Orchestra of Chicago (a premier training orchestra for young musicians), and extensive community engagement and education programs throughout the city.
Throughout its history, the CSO has been led by legendary figures such as Fritz Reiner, Sir Georg Solti, and Riccardo Muti, and continues to be recognized internationally through its recordings, broadcasts, and educational outreach. Whether performing timeless classics or bold contemporary works, the CSO remains a pillar of artistic and cultural life — not just in Chicago, but on the global stage.
