2025-26 Utah Symphony | Utah Opera Season Offers Music for Every Mood

Utah Symphony Music Director Designate Markus Poschner Inspires in Four Bold Programs Including Mahler’s “Titan” Symphony and Strauss’ “A Hero’s Life”;  Thierry Fischer Returns for Mahler’s Tender Symphony No. 4; Delyana Lazarova Brings Joy and Wonder to Beethoven and Tchaikovsky Symphonies in First Season as Principal Guest Conductor; Utah Opera Delivers Thrills in Paul Moravec and Mark Campbell’s The Shining; A Woman’s Heroic Quest for Justice Gets a Modern Update in New Production of Beethoven’s Fidelio

Salt Lake City, UT—(March 26, 2025) Music has the powerful ability to stir every emotion—it can instantly set an atmosphere, create connections with one another, or prompt us to turn inward. With more than 40 unique programs at Utah Symphony | Utah Opera in the 2025-26 season, audiences will find music and stories for every mood and every circumstance. Bold and inspiring works, experiences that pull on the heartstrings, spine-tingling programs, uplifting moments of pure delight, and celebrations of cherished local and cultural traditions set the stage for everyone in the community to find performances that resonate in personal, meaningful ways.

Each of Utah Opera’s four productions offer a distinct emotional experience. The eerie chills of Paul Moravec and Mark Campbell’s The Shining give way to the sunny and funny escapades of Donizetti’s The Elixir of Love. Bravery leads to triumph in Beethoven’s Fidelio, while romance results in heartbreak in Verdi’s La traviata.

“Opera has always been a powerful vehicle for human emotion, and today, new ideas for sharing those emotions through art are emerging constantly,” says Utah Opera Artistic Director Christopher McBeth. “In the 2025-26 season, we embrace that spirit of creativity— honoring timeless works while exploring fresh and imaginative ways to bring them to life, as well as sharing a story that’s new to the opera world yet iconic in pop culture. In doing so, we extend an invitation to experience opera as something both deeply familiar and thrillingly unexpected.”

Utah Symphony Music Director Designate Markus Poschner shares a similar view that emotion, first and foremost, creates familiarity and connection with symphonic music; when he was announced Music Director Designate in November 2024, he voiced his goal to create deep emotional experiences for Utah audiences. In the 2025-26 season, Poschner will lead four Masterworks programs that bring this promise to fruition. In his first full season as Music Director Designate, he leads Mahler’s “Titan” Symphony—a journey from joy, to despair, to celebration. He makes a bold statement with Strauss’ A Hero’s Life, an epic tone poem that is inspiring both in its grand musical themes and its notorious challenges for the orchestra; and will explore one of the most profoundly heartbreaking works in the symphonic repertoire, Tchaikovsky’s “Pathétique” Symphony. In his Masterworks season finale, Poschner brings his Bruckner expertise to the Symphony No. 4, “Romantic”—a work whose title has its roots in visions of a medieval world and evokes a mood of imagination and wonder.

“Music is not just something we hear; it is something we feel. In a live performance, each moment is fleeting—here and then gone—but the feeling remains long after the last note fades,” Poschner says. “This upcoming season is about embracing that experience together. Our Utah Symphony musicians are truly extraordinary in their ability to infuse each note with meaning, so come and be part of our performances that are alive with depth, discovery, and connection.”

“The 2025-26 season reaffirms that our music is for everyone,” adds USUO President & CEO Steve Brosvik (The O.C. Tanner Chair). “How much you know about symphonic music or opera is irrelevant because at the core, the art we share is all about what is felt. Nothing matches the synthesis of entertainment, emotion, and connection that sparks when our musicians join together on stage, or when each detail in the music, sets, props, and costumes has been expertly honed into a theatrical spectacle. Join us—just as hundreds of thousands of people do every year—to see, hear, and feel how experiencing music together can change you.”

Thrilling & Electrifying: Music that Gives Goosebumps
Utah Opera delivers the spooky feeling that many seek during the Halloween season with its first staging of The Shining, a chilling operatic adaptation of Stephen King’s thriller novel about a writer’s psychological unraveling at the remote Overlook Hotel. Created by composer Paul Moravec and librettist Mark Campbell—both Pulitzer Prize winners—The Shining debuted in 2016 and has been wildly popular in cities from coast to coast. With its gripping tale and haunting musical effects, the work earned a top spot in BBC Music Magazine’s list of the ten scariest operas. Utah Opera’s production will star Craig Irvin as Jack (known to audiences for his 2022 performances as the Pirate King in The Pirates of Penzance) and Kearstin Piper Brown as Wendy, who previously sang the same role in the West Coast premiere in San Francisco.

At the symphony, the Films in Concert series begins with Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets™, continuing the magical adventure and immersing audiences in the secrets of Hogwarts as John Williams’ score sets the mysterious tone. For more family-friendly fun, the Halloween Spooktacular is a not-too-scary musical celebration complete with ghostly melodies and a costume contest (musicians are sure to dress up, too!).

USUO Creative Partner and conductor David Robertson continues his exploration of famous film composers (which began in 2024 with performances dedicated to the music of John Williams) with a one-night-only concert of selections from scores by Bernard Herrmann. The master of suspense is known for his heart-pounding music in Alfred Hitchcock thrillers including Psycho, North by Northwest, and Vertigo.

Epic & Heroic: Music for Inspiration and Adventure
Beethoven—known for pushing boundaries, bringing epic drama, and weaving narratives of triumph over adversity—followed suit with his only opera, Fidelio. This stirring saga of love and bravery follows a woman’s heroic quest when her husband is wrongly imprisoned. In a brand-new production that Utah Opera will be the first to present in its fully staged format, director Tara Faircloth brings innovative vision to the work. Notably, Faircloth modernizes the opera’s original spoken dialogue and incorporates projections of quotes from Langston Hughes, Gandhi, Nelson Mandela, and others to underscore the themes of human resilience and social justice. Bringing the setting into the early 20th century, Utah Opera’s in-house creative team will build the sets, props, and costumes for Faircloth’s newest project. Fidelio boasts a powerhouse cast, including Wendy Bryn Harmer, a Utah native who is a regular at The Metropolitan Opera; Limmie Pulliam, making his Utah Opera debut; Zachary Nelson, known for his riveting portrayal of Wozzeck and last-minute star turn in Figaro; and David Soar, returning after his chilling performance as Judge Turpin in Sweeney Todd.

Symphonic music often lends itself to exhilarating power, but few works match the sheer force of Orff’s Carmina Burana, which will ignite the stage with the power of a massive orchestra and chorus, unstoppable rhythms, and bombastic energy. Also for those craving dramatic masterpieces, Dvořák’s Symphony No. 7, considered his most intense work, shares a program with Beethoven’s Piano Concerto No. 3 (performed by Shai Wosner) and Unsuk Chin’s subito con forza (“suddenly with power”). Simon Trpčeski delivers the vibrant urgency of Prokofiev’s Piano Concerto No. 3, led by Andrew Manze—a conductor celebrated as one of the most stimulating and inspirational conductors of his generation—in his Utah Symphony debut. Audience- and musician-favorite conductor David Danzmayr conducts as cellist Pablo Ferrández heroically undertakes both the Korngold Cello Concerto and Tchaikovsky’s Variations on a Rococo Theme, before Respighi’s The Pines of Rome concludes the evening with blazing trumpet fanfares and a pounding timpani beat.

For those who revel in visual epics, Star Wars: The Empire Strikes Back in Concert invites fans to experience the galactic classic on the big screen with the score performed live; and Distant Worlds: music from FINAL FANTASY brings together the Utah Symphony and the Utah Opera Chorus to perform the adventuresome video game’s sweeping score, paired with HD video for a multimedia concert experience.

Joyful & Playful: Music to Uplift and Delight
When pure joy is what the heart desires, Donizetti’s The Elixir of Love at Utah Opera has the right dose of love and laughter. This effervescent romantic comedy—about a couple who is helped along in their love story by a so-called magic elixir—brims with irresistible melodies. Transported to sunny California in 1916, the production cleverly draws inspiration from the “Drink an Orange” advertisements that once captivated Americans with their bold claims about the benefits of orange juice. Utah Opera brings back Katrina Galka, who dazzled as the Chanteuse in Thaïs (2024), alongside Daniel O’Hearn, a former Utah Opera Resident Artist whose career is flourishing.

The symphony and its audiences will joyfully welcome the return of Music Director Emeritus Thierry Fischer, who offers a gloriously uplifting program. He takes the podium for Mahler’s Symphony No. 4, known for its sense of childlike wonder and unique among Mahler symphonies for its playful, gentle nature. Siobhan Stagg is soprano soloist in the work’s fourth movement, as well as in Mozart’s radiant Exsultate, jubilate—culminating in an uplifting “Alleluia.”

Named Principal Guest Conductor in December 2024, Delyana Lazarova embraces joy in the first of her two Masterworks programs on the 2025-26 season with Beethoven’s Symphony No. 4, notable among his symphonies for its cheerful tone and light orchestration. On the same program, violinist Geneva Lewis joins for Mendelssohn’s Violin Concerto.

Other Masterworks repertoire to spark delight will include Rachmaninoff’s Rhapsody on a Theme of Paganini, in which pianist Stephen Hough will reveal the endlessly imaginative ways a simple theme is transformed 24 times; Schumann’s optimistic “Spring” Symphony alongside the return of audience-favorite pianist Joyce Yang performing Grieg’s Piano Concerto, both led by Anja Bihlmaier in her Utah Symphony debut; and Debussy’s La mer (evoking the many moods of the sea, with “Play of the Waves” at its center) paired with the flirtatious energy of Mendelssohn’s Piano Concerto, performed by Nelson Goerner.

Audiences are invited to reminisce in happy memories down the yellow brick road at The Wizard of Oz in Concert, and to sing and dance along at Pops Series concerts celebrating the iconic sounds of the Motown era and lively Latin hits by Ricky Martin, Gloria Estefan, and more. For one night only, Ben Folds returns to the symphony to deliver his signature mix of pop and rock, dashed with wit and humor.

Romantic & Heartfelt: Music that Speaks to the Soul
Heartbreak takes the opera stage in Verdi’s La traviata, a timeless story of love and sacrifice in which a glamorous Parisian courtesan, Violetta, chooses true love and a new life with the charming Alfredo—but the couple is unable to escape the pressures of society. For the role of Violetta, Utah Opera welcomes back Lydia Grindatto, whose voice captured the deep longing of Nedda in Pagliacci (2025). Portraying Alfredo is Christopher Oglesby, an alum of the Utah Opera Resident Artist program who appeared as Rodolfo in La bohème (2023). Garnett Bruce, who directed La bohème to rave reviews, returns to pull at the heartstrings with another classic, tragic, and touching tale.

At the symphony, Principal Guest Conductor Delyana Lazarova puts her expressive conducting style and deep musical sensitivity on display in her second Masterworks program including Tchaikovsky’s Symphony No. 1 “Winter Dreams,” characterized by a mood of longing. The program also sees the return of insightful pianist Awadagin Pratt performing Mozart’s Piano Concerto No. 23. Throughout the season, lush and soulful works capture the beauty and poignancy of the human experience, from the soaring passions of Scriabin’s Symphony No. 2 to the expressive melodies of Rachmaninoff’s Piano Concerto No. 2 with Alexander Malofeev.

Creative Partner David Robertson brings a heartfelt silent film experience to the Masterworks Series with Charlie Chaplin’s City Lights—a touching romantic comedy with a score that beautifully expresses and accentuates the story. Another testament to the emotional power of film music, Disney-Pixar’s Up features an extraordinary score by Michael Giacchino, especially beloved for its “Married Life” theme, which evolves from a charming depiction of love and comfort to devastating grief in a matter of minutes. On the Pops Series, a program spotlighting the music of Genesis and Phil Collins—famous for love songs like “In the Air Tonight,” “Follow You Follow Me,” and “One More Night”—will have concertgoers swooning.

Trailblazing & Modern: Music for Discovery
USUO continues to give voice to new art and offers audiences opportunities for inspiration and discovery, sharing works by composers and librettists who are shaping the future of symphonic and operatic repertoire. In addition to Paul Moravec and Mark Campbell’s The Shining at Utah Opera, the symphony season features Unsuk Chin’s subito con forza, a vibrant tribute to Beethoven; Matthew Jackfert’s Foggy Moon Over the Gorge which evokes the beauty of nature; Iman Habibi’s Zhian, an atmospheric soundscape that reflects resilience; Tania León’s Ser, which explores cultural identity; and more.

In his third year as Creative Partner, two of David Roberson’s programs center around living composers. Timothy McAllister, one of the world’s foremost saxophonists, introduces Steven Mackey’s Saxophone Concerto, a Utah Symphony co-commission that will be performed fresh from its premiere at the Monterey Symphony. (The program opens with Pierre Boulez’s Mémoriale and concludes with the Utah Symphony’s first-ever performance of Rachmaninoff’s Symphony No. 1.) John Adams’ Violin Concerto—performed by none other than USUO’s own Concertmaster Madeline Adkins—and Christopher Rouse’s Rapture are featured on a program in which passion for American music also shines with Roy Harris’ Symphony No. 3 and Elliott Carter’s Holiday Overture.

Celebrations & Traditions: Music for Festivities & Community Favorites
Beloved traditions and celebrations are often built around music, with its powerful ability to create a feeling of festivity and bring people of all ages and backgrounds together.

During Hispanic Heritage Month, USUO continues its annual Celebración Sinfónica, paying tribute to the rich and rhythmic sounds of Latin America. Led by the ever-energetic Enrico Lopez-Yañez, the concert is complemented by a cultural festival on the Abravanel Hall plaza with an array of food, crafts, and performances.

The beloved Messiah Sing-In continues its storied legacy, inviting audiences to lift their voices in Handel’s timeless oratorio over Thanksgiving weekend; the ever-popular Holiday Pops Extravaganza fills Abravanel Hall with festive cheer, blending seasonal favorites with the warmth of a live symphony; and returning for a fourth straight year, Celtic Woman brings their angelic voices and Irish musical traditions to Utah holiday celebrations.

The charming Family Series—a community favorite boasting record ticket sales the past two years—continues with the annual Here Comes Santa Claus!, followed by Saint-Saëns’ classic The Carnival of the Animals (paired with a brand-new companion work by Utah composer Andrew Maxfield), and concluding with The Magical Music of Harry Potter for those eagerly anticipating their Hogwarts letter.

Entering its 65th year—and with hundreds of past participants in its legacy—the annual Salute to Youth tradition offers young musicians the opportunity to appear as soloists in a public performance with the symphony as part of a once-in-a-lifetime evening.

Commitment to Education, Community, and Accessibility
Ensuring that the youngest generations grow up with an appreciation for the emotional power of music, music education is one of USUO’s longest legacies. Dating back to the days of former Music Director Maurice Abravanel, USUO now engages more than 130,000 students throughout the state annually and reaches students in every school district in the state on a three-year rotation—delivering one of the most extensive performing arts education programs in the U.S.

Each year, nearly every fifth grader in the Salt Lake Valley experiences a symphony concert at Abravanel Hall designed just for them; and throughout the year, orchestra musicians and Utah Opera Resident Artists perform in-school concerts for students across the state. With programs for learners of all age levels, USUO offers opportunities for personal instruction and coaching, wellness through music inside and outside of the classroom, behind-the-scenes invitations including dress rehearsal access, and much more. For an overview of the full scope of USUO’s education programs, please click here.

With a commitment to making classical music accessible to the entire community, Access to Music—a long-held annual tradition—is designed for those with sensory sensitivities and other disabilities. The one-hour performance is welcoming and inclusive of individuals of all ages and abilities, provides special accommodations and services for audience members, and has a relaxed attitude toward movement and noise in the concert hall, encouraging those with differing needs to fully enjoy and express themselves. Each year at Blind and Visually Impaired Night, opera is experienced through accommodations such as audio description headphones, braille supertitles, and props and fabric swatches passed around the audience.

Statewide Reach
The Utah Symphony will present two Masterworks programs on its series at The Noorda Center for the Performing Arts at Utah Valley University, in addition to bringing a performance of the Here Comes Santa Claus! family concert to that venue (dates are noted in the listings below). Other select programs are performed at the Brigham Young University School of Music Concert Hall in Provo; Utah State’s Daines Concert Hall in Logan; and at the Austad Auditorium at the Val A. Browning Center in Ogden (to be announced this spring).

Each summer, the orchestra and popular guest artists perform against the magnificent backdrop of the Wasatch mountains at the Utah Symphony’s Deer Valley® Music Festival in Park City. Programming for the summer 2025 festival will be announced in April. Additional summer performances by the orchestra, small ensembles, and opera artists take place in communities along the Wasatch Front and Wasatch Back, many with free or low-cost tickets.

In total, Utah Symphony | Utah Opera performs for more than 400,000 Utahns annually, with added programs announced throughout the year. As the season unfolds, each performance promises to bring audiences into the heart of the music—where emotions take flight, stories come alive, and every note is an invitation to be moved.