FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
April 30, 2025
Madison Symphony Orchestra Unveils its Centennial Season
Subscriptions available now — single tickets go on sale August 23, 2025
Madison, Wis. – The Madison Symphony Orchestra (MSO) will be marking a century of musical excellence as it celebrates its 100th anniversary during the 2025-26 season. Founded in 1925, the MSO has evolved into one of America’s leading regional orchestras under the leadership of Maestro John DeMain, who has guided the orchestra for more than three decades. As the organization approaches this historic milestone it is also in the midst of searching for its next music director. Three guest conductors performed with MSO during the 2024-25 season, and four additional guest conductors will appear during the centennial 2025-26 season.
“This will be a season of joy celebrating the past, present, and future,” Music Director John DeMain exclaims. “Our centennial year presents many of our favorite world-class soloists, dynamic repertoire, and spectacular commemorative events. It’s a season created for every member of the family that includes classical concerts, movies, circus acts, a major world premiere, phenomenal guest artists and conductors that culminates in a two-day free festival featuring our orchestra and dozens of community musicians, artists, and groups. I am so proud to share my final season as your music director for this momentous year-long celebration!”
“The Madison Symphony Orchestra’s 100th Anniversary Season is not just for our existing Madison Symphony patrons.” Executive Director Robert A. Reed states. “It will be a season-long celebration for everyone in the entire Madison area. We’re celebrating 100 years together in music with amazing concerts and educational programs, special events, parties, commissions and partnerships. I invite you to be part of the experience.”
The Centennial Opening Celebration begins with two special events in September 2025 at Overture Center Center for the Arts. On Sept. 19, attendees can enjoy Pure Joy Opening Night: Magical Tchaikovsky & Maestro’s Dinner, which will feature the MSO and renowned pianist Olga Kern for a 90-minute concert conducted by John DeMain, followed by a cocktail reception and formal dinner in the Overture Hall Lobby.
The following night, Soar with Cirque de la Symphonie & Party Into the Night will bring together the magic of circus arts with live orchestral music from famous film scores, including Harry Potter, Star Wars and West Side Story. The evening will conclude with an after-party featuring food stations, DJ Terrence J, and dancing.
The MSO’s 100th anniversary Symphony subscription season will take place from October 2025 to May 2026, consisting of eight triple-performance subscription concerts featuring orchestral masterpieces performed by MSO musicians and world-renowned guest soloists.
The season begins Oct. 17-19 with Primal Light, featuring Mahler’s profound Resurrection Symphony, César Franck’s Symphonic Variations with pianist Christopher Taylor, and Resurrexit by Mason Bates, conducted by John DeMain.
November’s Radiance, happening Nov. 21-23, presents Mussorgsky’s Pictures at an Exhibition, Haydn’s Cello Concerto No. 2 with cellist Alban Gerhardt and Rainbow Body by Christopher Theofanidis, with guest conductor Robert Moody.
A Madison Symphony Christmas returns Dec. 5-7 with its holiday program, featuring soprano Alexandra LoBianco and bass-baritone Kyle Ketelsen, joined by the Madison Symphony Chorus, Mt. Zion Gospel Choir and Madison Youth Choirs, conducted by John DeMain.
The new year begins with Heartbeat (Jan. 23-25), featuring Gabriela Lena Frank’s Escaramuza, Strauss’ Der Rosenkavalier Suite and Brahms’ monumental Piano Concerto No. 2, performed by Yefim Bronfman, with guest conductor Kazem Abdullah.
Playful Pursuits, taking place Feb. 20-22, brings together Mendelssohn’s Overture to A Midsummer Night’s Dream, Korngold’s romantic Violin Concerto performed by Rachel Barton Pine, Debussy’s Prélude à l’après-midi d’un faune, and Stravinsky’s ballet Petrushka, with guest conductor Tania Miller.
In Force of Nature, running March 20-22, Emanuel Ax returns for Mozart’s Piano Concerto No. 25. The program also features Strauss’ Till Eulenspiegel’s Merry Pranks, Gabriela Ortiz’s Téenek — Invenciones de Territorio and Respighi’s Pines of Rome, conducted by John DeMain.
The April 10-12 concerts titled, Four the Soul, feature Peruvian composer Jimmy López’s vibrant Fiesta! Four Pop Dances for Orchestra, Rodrigo’s Concerito Andaluz performed by the Los Angeles Guitar Quartet and Sibelius’ Symphony No. 2, known as the Symphony of Independence, with guest conductor Laura Jackson.
MSO’s subscription season concludes May 1-3 with Voices Eternal, featuring the world premiere of EARTH: A Choral Symphony, a magnificent new work commissioned for the centennial from acclaimed composer Jake Heggie and librettist Gene Scheer. This piece will be performed alongside Beethoven’s Symphony No. 5 and will feature Met Opera star soprano Ailyn Pérez, Madison Symphony Chorus, Mount Zion Gospel Choir and Madison Youth Choirs, conducted by John DeMain. It celebrates humanity’s connection to our planet.
The popular MSO at the Movies concert series continues as part of the centennial celebration, offering audiences the unique experience of watching films with the Madison Symphony Orchestra performing the score live. Two presentations are scheduled: the first, Disney and Pixar’s Toy Story in Concert, at 2:30 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 5, 2025 and the second, Indiana Jones and The Raiders of the Lost Ark™ Live in Concert, at 7:30 p.m. Saturday, March 28 and 2:30 p.m. Sunday, March 29, 2026.
The 100th season will culminate with the Centennial Festival Weekend. A Community Gift and Dream – for the Love of Music is scheduled for June 13-14, 2026, at the Overture Center. This free open house celebration will feature diverse community groups throughout the venue, with an MSO Family Concert and an Overture Concert Organ performance on Saturday, June 13, and John DeMain’s final Symphony concert as Music Director on Sunday, June 14. International violinist Julian Rhee, a past winner of MSO’s Bolz Young Artist Competition, returns as special guest soloist for the Sunday performance.
Current and new subscribers can subscribe now. 5-8 concert subscriptions are available for $90 to $660 — a savings of 10-25% off single ticket prices. Subscribers may add MSO at the Movies and Centennial Opening Celebration events before single tickets go on sale Saturday, Aug. 23, 2025. Single ticket prices for Centennial Celebration concerts and MSO at the Movies are $30-$100. Subscription concerts single ticket prices are $20-$115.
For more information on tickets, sponsorship opportunities and event details: https://www.madisonsymphony.org/100
About the Madison Symphony Orchestra
The Madison Symphony Orchestra celebrates its 100th Anniversary season in 2025–2026. The MSO has grown to be one of America’s leading regional orchestras, providing Madison and south-central Wisconsin with cultural and educational opportunities to interact with great masterworks and top-tier guest artists from around the world. 2025–2026 marks John DeMain’s 32nd year and final season as Music Director. Learn more at madisonsymphony.org.
Contact: Peter Rodgers, Director of Marketing
Phone: (608) 260-8680 x226 • Mobile: (415) 713-0235
Email: prodgers@madisonsymphony.org
Web: madisonsymphony.org
MSO 25-26 Symphony Season Press Photos, Orchestra, John DeMain: https://bit.ly/mso25-26press1
MSO 25-26 Symphony Season Press Photos, Concerts: https://bit.ly/mso25-26press2