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Classical music loves a prodigy. Fresh off his multi-album deal with Decca Records, Randall Goosby makes his NSO debut performing Mendelssohn’s masterpiece. Led by Thomas Wilkins, the program also features an inspiring, meditative new work by Anna Clyne and Elgar’s ever-popular Enigma Variations.

Gianandrea Noseda embarks on his first complete Ring Cycle in the Zurich Opera House.

A never-before-seen concert experience! Killer Mike is more than just a rapper—he’s a cultural icon. From his groundbreaking collaborations with Run the Jewels to his solo endeavors, Killer Mike’s music resonates with authenticity, raw energy, and a fearless commitment to speaking truth to power. Hear tracks from his newest, three-time Grammy-winning album Michael, and more, accompanied by the epic sounds of the Mighty Midnight Revival and the National Symphony Orchestra live.

Join Gianandrea Noseda on a wild journey into twilight... Composed in a furious burst of inspiration, the Seventh is Mahler at his most mysterious. Indulgent, elusive, and delightfully raw, the Seventh is a problem child for some conductors, but not Noseda. From clanging cowbells and titanic brass to intimate midnight mandolin, Mahler’s glamorous, dusk-to-dawn universe is far beyond this world.

Join us for Sound Health Fridays at The REACH for activities prior to 11:30 a.m. NSO coffee concerts. Arrive at 9:30 a.m. and purchase coffee at the Hyannis Port Coffee Bar, and wander the REACH. At 10 a.m., participate in a Morning Sing, attend a health-inspired talk and performance, or join a wellness-inspired workshop.

Experience the thunderous music of Otello in the hands of our opera-loving Music Director. Verdi’s score offers a thrilling exploration of uncontrolled human emotion at its most extreme. Hailed as a pinnacle of Italian operatic repertoire, Verdi’s transformation of the Shakespeare play was described by The New York Times as an “ascent towards a higher musical plane” following its 1887 premiere.

Five-time Grammy Award winner Angélique Kidjo entrances audiences with her striking voice, stage presence, and visionary fusion of West African culture, American R&B, Latin music, funk, dancehall, and jazz. A once-in-a-lifetime performance!

DECLASSIFIED host and NSO Artistic Advisor Ben Folds welcomes dynamic pop artist BANKS and indie rock star Julien Baker for the next concert in his popular late-night series! This Kennedy Center-exclusive “part concert, part party” event defies the traditional symphony presentation by offering great live music—both classical and contemporary—in a laid-back, casual setting. Special appearance by Cafritz Young Artist Tiffany Choe. Come early and stay late for a live Drag Salute to Divas, drink specials, and more!

Enjoy a symphonic fusion of two extraordinary musical worlds in honor of Juneteenth and the 75th birthday of a gospel legend! Conducted by Grammy–winning producer Dr. Henry Panion III, this soulful celebration with special guest Richard Smallwood features performances by Smallwood’s ensemble Vision; gospel stars Dorinda Clark Cole, Maurette Brown Clark, and Marvin Winan; Howard University Gospel Choir; Bowie State University Choir; and more.

Join us for a symphonic celebration of Disney music, animation, and memories—100 years in the making! Your favorite characters and soundtracks come to life in this live-to-film concert like never before as the NSO takes you on a magic carpet ride through the most memorable moments from Peter Pan, Moana, Aladdin, The Jungle Book, Frozen, The Lion King, Fantasia, Encanto, and more.

Trey Anastasio, the longtime frontman of the genre-melding jam band Phish, rejoins the NSO for an unforgettable concert featuring orchestrations of classic Phish songs and solo Anastasio compositions. A curious and constant composer, Anastasio draws inspiration from experimental jazz, classical, rock, pop, reggae, metal, and even barbershop music.

A masterpiece, reborn. BLACKSTAR SYMPHONY celebrates David Bowie’s final, critically acclaimed album Blackstar—plus iconic Bowie classics like “Space Oddity,” “Life on Mars” and “Heroes”—reimagined for 65-piece orchestra performed with the band from the album, saxophonist and Artistic Director Donny McCaslin, keyboardist Jason Lindner, and bassist Tim Lefebvre. Conducted by Grammy–winner Jules Buckley, this electrifying theatrical experience also features Bowie’s longtime bandmate Gail Ann Dorsey, drummer Nate Wood, vocalist David Poe, and special guest John Cameron Mitchell.

The NSO kicks off its summer season at Wolf Trap with Beethoven’s Ninth, the symphony by which all others are measured. Witness the cosmic drama of this colossal masterwork, along with Samuel Coleridge-Taylor’s Violin Concerto performed by Sphinx Concerto Competition winner Njioma Grevious.

Coming to Wolf Trap from a galaxy far, far away… Join Luke Skywalker on his journey in the film that started it all! From the triumphant opening fanfare to the ethereal “Princess Leia’s Theme,” John Williams’ Oscar–winning score comes to life in this powerful, live-to-picture experience.

One of the world’s most popular operas, Puccini’s romantic depiction of Parisian bohemians captivates audiences with soaring arias and glorious melodies. Wolf Trap Opera’s bright cast will embody the relatable, endearing characters in this heart-wrenching tale.

Three decades after Illmatic’s critically-acclaimed release, hip hop legend Nas performs the iconic album in its entirety—plus more music from his illustrious career—with the NSO! Released in 1994, Illmatic is the seminal debut from Nas and has long been considered one of the greatest hip hop records of all time with hits including “N.Y. State of Mind,” “The World Is Yours,” “Memory Lane (Sittin’ in Da Park)” and “It Ain’t Hard to Tell.”

Get ready to embark on the penultimate leg of Harry’s journey as Warner Bros. and CineConcerts bring to the screen Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows™ Part 1. Harry, Ron and Hermione face their latest set of challenges and foes both new and old as the seventh film comes to Wolf Trap, projected on a giant screen and accompanied by the NSO. Relive every harrowing moment with an experience you’ll never forget.

Who you gonna call? Experience the ’80s classic like never before as the National Symphony Ochestra performs the Grammy–nominated score and Ray Parker Jr.’s Billboard Hot 100 chart-topping theme song live-to-film! 

Indie royalty Beck takes the stage! Having amassed a boundary-breaking catalog of gold and platinum albums that consistently straddle the mainstream and avant-garde, the eight-time Grammy winner makes his debut performance with the NSO  in a once-in-a-lifetime concert experience. See and hear Beck as never before with unique arrangements of familiar favorites and seldom-heard deep cuts from the master of perpetual reinvention.

From smoky jazz echoing down U Street to the pulsating beats of Go-go born in the heart of D.C., the vibrant sounds of our city come alive at this electrifying concert event! Join the NSO and remarkable local artists as we showcase the music of homegrown heroes such as Marvin Gaye, Chuck Brown, Duke Ellington, John Philip Sousa, and more.

Celebrate the genius of American composers as the NSO performs Aaron Copland’s Suite from Billy the Kid and selections from his Old American Songs, Jessie Montgomery’s Banner, and Here I Stand—a new NSO co-commission by Carlos Simon and librettist Dan Harder. Grammy–winning bass-baritone Morris Robinson and The Washington Chorus join for this special concert.

With the help of the National Symphony Orchestra and all-star guests, New York Times best-selling author/illustrator Mo Willems introduces fun musical ideas, explores big emotions, and invites viewers to listen, play, and create.

Prepare yourself for a night of glamor and romance as classical music’s newest rock star Yunchan Lim performs one of the world’s greatest masterpieces, Rachmaninoff’s sweeping Piano Concerto No. 2. Experience Lim’s electrifying NSO debut at this dynamic concert that also features Ravel’s lyrical La Valse and Carlos Simon’s celebratory Four Black American Dances.

You know the famous four-note opening—now, be there for the full glory that is Beethoven’s Fifth Symphony. Imaginative, violent, and wide-ranging, this colossal crowd-pleaser thrusts the audience into Beethoven’s state of mind with roaring tension building to a triumphant, booming climax. Noseda opens the program with Strauss’ Four Last Songs featuring internationally acclaimed American soprano Rachel Willis-Sørensen along with Carlos Simon’s Four Black American Dances.

Noseda brings the drama in Strauss’ Ein Heldenleben, a sumptuous sonic self-portrait also depicting the composer’s wife, friends, and even his dreaded music critics. The program begins with Beethoven’s final, heroic piano concerto in the hands of returning favorite Leif Ove Andsnes—“a pianist of magisterial elegance, power, and insight” (The New York Times).

Grammy–winning violinist Joshua Bell presents The Elements, his newly commissioned project featuring works by renowned American composers Kevin Puts (Earth), Edgar Meyer (Water), Jake Heggie (Fire), Jennifer Higdon (Air), and Jessie Montgomery (Space) paired with striking onscreen visuals. Noseda closes the program with Brahms’ radiant Symphony No. 1—a noble, tender, towering masterwork of emotion.

An annual tradition! The Concert Hall transforms into a ghostly sight when ghoulishly attired National Symphony Orchestra musicians celebrate Halloween with fa-boo-lous new works and spooky old classics.

Tchaikovsky’s “Pathétique” Symphony is a force to be reckoned with; a veritable declaration of forbidden love shrouded in mystery. This impassioned program also features Prokofiev’s evocative Summer Night Suite and Time’s River, an NSO co-commission by Alexander Raskatov. Outstanding Moscow-born oboist Alexei Ogrintchouk takes center stage for Raskatov’s new concerto, described as “a hymn to nature in resonance with our time.”

Comprising titled musicians of the National Symphony Orchestra, this acclaimed ensemble presents classics from four centuries of chamber music.

As the New York Times declares, Emanuel Ax’s performances are “never less than spellbinding.” Experience the power and passion of this modern master live as the seven-time Grammy winner performs Mozart’s fierce and far-reaching Piano Concerto No. 20. In a fitting concert finale honoring former NSO Music Director Leonard Slatkin’s return during his 80th birthday year, Walton’s Symphony No. 1 erupts with energy evolving from fear and despair to strength and triumph.

A “revelation” at the 2018 Grand Piano Competition where she stormed to victory at the age of 10, Alexandra Dovgan has become a teenage piano phenomenon with sold-out concerts worldwide. Witness her extraordinary talent in a performance of Schumann’s masterwork, considered the ultimate romantic piano concerto. Marek Janowski returns to lead the composer’s shimmering Symphony No. 4.

Hallelujah—Washington, D.C.’s favorite holiday tradition returns! Since its debut nearly three centuries ago, Handel’s Messiah reigns unchallenged as the ultimate celebration of holiday joy. This year, experience the larger-than-life oratorio in all its splendor as Masaaki Suzuki conducts the NSO, a stellar cast of soloists, and the University of Maryland Concert Choir in this always daring, beloved classic.

Outstanding Mexican artists treat the audience to timeless classics and stirring new music. Jorge Federico Osorio, hailed as “an imaginative interpreter with a powerful technique” (New York Times), takes on Beethoven’s intensely energetic Piano Concerto No. 3. Rachmaninoff’s lush and lively Symphonic Dances come alive under the baton of Carlos Miguel Prieto—who returns following his “revolutionary,” “high-octane” 2018 NSO debut (Washington Classical Review).

The whole farmyard is getting ready for a hoedown—but it needs your help! Presented in collaboration with Teller Productions and developed specifically for toddlers, this immersive show features puppets, storytellers, and a string quartet from the National Symphony Orchestra.

Comprising titled musicians of the National Symphony Orchestra, this acclaimed ensemble presents classics from four centuries of chamber music.

Immerse yourself in the passion of Samuel Barber’s tour-de-force in the hands of NSO Music Director and renowned opera conductor Gianandrea Noseda. Presented as part of the NSO’s annual Opera in Concert series, Vanessa is a tale of self-discovery, longing, and the raw pursuit of love. Sondra Radvanovsky, J’Nai Bridges, Matthew Polenzani, Susan Graham, and Thomas Hampson join the orchestra as special guests.

Comprised of National Symphony Orchestra musicians, the Last Stand Quartet performs a lively program linking the ways in which math is present in all music-making, creating music to move to and engage with on a deeper level.

Two phenomenal French stars return for a spirited evening of Russian masterworks. Stéphane Denève opens the program conducting Connesson’s Maslenitsa, written in celebration of the sunny Slavic folk festival. Then, powerhouse pianist Jean-Yves Thibaudet performs Khachaturian’s pyrotechnic Piano Concerto. To close, Ravel’s majestic orchestration of Mussorgsky’s Pictures at an Exhibition carries us through a gallery of soul-stirring emotion.

Experience the torment and colorful beauty of Tchaikovsky’s four-movement symphony inspired by Lord Byron’s poem. Hailed for his stellar stage presence and joyous musicianship, 2021 Avery Fisher Career Grant recipient and National Sphinx Competition winner Sterling Elliott joins the program to perform Saint-Saëns’ impassioned First Cello Concerto.

Exceptional all-female vocal group Lorelei Ensemble joins the NSO to perform Her Story, Julia Wolfe’s large-scale theatrical work drawn from real letters written by trailblazing suffragettes. Marin Alsop opens the concert with Rimsky-Korsakov’s Scheherazade, an exotic journey of love, peril, and intrigue inspired by the famous folktale about a clever young queen who spins 1001 fantastical stories to outwit a murderous sultan.

Don’t miss a rare opportunity to experience the sublime synergy of two musical superstars, live! For one night only, violinist Leonidas Kavakos and pianist Daniil Trifonov join forces to perform masterworks of their instruments’ repertoire. Bask in the transcendent beauty of Beethoven, the drama of Poulenc, the depth of Brahms, and the avant-garde spirit of Bartók… all in the hands of these extraordinary artists.

Discover Debussy’s delightful Images for orchestra, a series of musical postcards inspired by England, Spain, and France; and Ravel’s sultry slow-burn Boléro, with its sensuously hypnotic theme building to volcanic climax. Also on the program: Rota’s lively Trombone Concerto and Decisamente allegro by Nicola Campogrande, “one of the most interesting Italian composers of the young generation” (OperaWire).

Critics call Leonidas Kavakos’ interpretations of Shostakovich “utterly compelling.” Witness the magic live as the superstar Greek violinist returns to perform Shostakovich’s explosive, unpredictable Violin Concerto No. 2. To close, Stravinsky’s striking ballet score Petrushka dazzles with vivid colors, irresistible rhythms, incandescent brass and winds… a rich bouquet of assorted, ear-rousing moments!

Comprising titled musicians of the National Symphony Orchestra, this acclaimed ensemble presents classics from four centuries of chamber music.

Comprising titled musicians of the National Symphony Orchestra, this acclaimed ensemble presents classics from four centuries of chamber music.

Explore the vastness of space with music inspired by the planets, stars, and beyond! In anticipation of the September 2025 voyage of Artemis II, the National Symphony Orchestra celebrates the discoveries and beauty of space through music and images.

Under the baton of Fabio Biondi, Mendelssohn’s vivacious Symphony No. 4 captures the zest and exhilaration of Italy’s sun-soaked vistas, bustling cities, and idyllic countryside. But first, Mao Fujita—described by The Times as “a musician of tremendous versatility and taste”—performs one of the grandest of Mozart’s piano concertos: No. 25.

Karina Canellakis takes on feats of musical storytelling in this visionary program. Excerpts from Wagner’s Tristan und Isolde capture a passion more powerful than death itself; Scriabin’s symphonic Poem of Ecstasy intoxicates listeners with a whirlwind of color and perfume. Alban Gerhardt opens the concert with a performance of DvoÅ™ák’s famous Cello Concerto.

With Noseda at the helm, Lisa Batiashvili’s performances of Schnittke’s postmodern, genre-defying Violin Concerto No. 1 are “full of fire, imbued with the spirit of discovery…” evoking “the sense that anything could happen.” Now, D.C. audiences have a chance to experience the “fantasy and fury… a performance to cherish” (Classical Explorer). To close, Shostakovich’s revolutionary Symphony No. 4 unleashes a wild, riveting, glorious assault on the senses.

Growling marches. Nostalgic lullabies. Thunderous hammer blows of fate. Mahler’s Symphony No. 6 seizes audiences from its very first notes, taking us on a dream-like journey through the composer’s concepts of dark destiny, heroic struggle, and ultimately, quiet bliss. Don’t miss this heartfelt masterpiece conducted by Noseda, whose Mahler performances are celebrated as “devilishly good” (Bachtrack).

Comprising titled musicians of the National Symphony Orchestra, this acclaimed ensemble presents classics from four centuries of chamber music.

“From the heart, may it again go to the heart,” an inspired Beethoven wrote above the opening “Kyrie” in the manuscript of his greatest choral work, the Missa Solemnis. The Washington Chorus and remarkable guest soloists Erika Grimaldi, Rihab Chaieb, Saimir Pirgu, and Marko Mimica join the NSO for this infrequently performed epic mass—a vast symphonic statement of mysticism,  drama, and sacred intimacy.

The NSO brings you William Dawson’s stirring Negro Folk Symphony—a work one New York critic called “the most distinctive and promising American symphonic proclamation which has so far been achieved.” Joshua Weilerstein completes the program with Bernstein’s ever-popular Symphonic Dances from West Side Story and Gershwin’s jazz-infused Rhapsody in Blue.

Experience the opulent period epic as the NSO performs the score live-to-picture! Winner of eight Academy Awards including Best Picture, Amadeus tells the story of vindictive composer Antonio Salieri (F. Murray Abraham), who is consumed by jealousy for his rival—the petulant genius Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart (Tom Hulce).

Join us for an evening filled with wonder and nostalgia as the NSO brings to life timeless melodies that have underscored some of the greatest moments in cinematic history. This classic program—led by Musical America’s 2022 Conductor of the Year Teddy Abrams—features music by Max Steiner, Franz Waxman, Erich Wolfgang Korngold, Bernard Herrmann, Alfred Newman, and others.

Surreal, sprawling, and operatic, Fritz Lang’s 1927 science-fiction silent film depicts a world in which the privileged live in luxury on the surface, while deep in the bowels of the city an unseen underclass labors on machinery that supports the Metropolis. Grammy–nominated organist Cameron Carpenter performs his original score perfectly suited to the industrial, stylistic backdrop of this deeply influential pulp masterpiece. Please note: the NSO does not perform on this program.

NSO favorite James Gaffigan conducts film music by classical composers—including Leonard Bernstein’s On the Waterfront and Nino Rota’s The Godfather—in a program that spotlights concertos by three of today's greatest film composers. On Thursday, Grammy winner James Ehnes plays Violin Concerto No. 2 by James Newton Howard. Friday’s concert features Delights and Dances by Michael Abels. Abel Pereira takes center stage Saturday in the Horn Concerto by Academy Award–winning legend John Williams.

Academy Award–winning director, composer, and pianist Kris Bowers (Bridgerton, King Richard, The Color Purple) curates and performs in a program of contemporary film music led by American conductor Anthony Parnther.