Symphony orchestras launch 2026-2027 seasons

Several symphony orchestras have launched their 2026-2027 seasons with notable performances.

The Okanagan Symphony Orchestra opened its season with ‘Music That Shimmers,’ marking Julian Pellicano’s first season opener conducting from the podium. The program featured Maxime Goulet’s ‘Chocolats Symphoniques,’ which was paired with actual chocolates for the audience. The performance included works by Rheinhold Gliere with guest soloist Joy Yeh.

In the United States, the Berkeley Symphony began its season with the ‘Inheritance’ concert at the Henry J. Kaiser Center for the Arts in Oakland. The event featured the return of music director laureate Kent Nagano to the podium. The program included the world premiere of Alex Nante’s commissioned work ‘Vater unser,’ alongside pieces by Felix Mendelssohn, including Piano Concerto No. 1 with pianist Mari Kodama.