SIMONE LAMSMA JAN 23 & 25, 2026
SHEKU KANNEH-MASON APRIL 24 – 26, 2026
ANTHONY MCGILL & DEMARRE MCGILL JUN 6 & 7, 2026
huge pillar of my tenures with the Nordwestdeutsche Philharmonie in Germany and with the Baltimore Symphony today. I’ ve always enjoyed being able to perform for students and influence their first impressions of the symphony.
Since becoming a father last year, this work takes on even more meaning. I am thrilled to lead the Orchestra in my first Family Concert— and my first Midweek Education Concerts— at the BSO. The program,“ Dead Composers Society,” is a crossover of different mediums, with narration and storytelling— perfectly suited for school groups, and families with young children.
LF: This season is packed with exciting guest artists and rising stars of the classical music world. What do you most enjoy about collaborating with young artists in particular?
JH: I always look forward to welcoming young artists who are at the top of their game, and the opportunity to work together as we continue to grow and evolve. Cellist Sheku Kanneh-Mason, who I have had the pleasure of knowing for many years, joins us for Bloch’ s Schelomo: Hebraic Rhapsody, and violinist Simone Lamsma shares her unforgettable interpretation of the Brahms Violin Concerto. The Baltimore Symphony has a wonderful history of supporting artists in the early phases of their careers. For example, brothers Demarre McGill( flute) and Anthony McGill( clarinet) played with our Orchestra as young musicians. In June 2026, it will be a full-circle moment to welcome them back to the BSO for the world premiere of a new work written for their talents by Billy Childs.
Mahler’ s Song of the Earth. What interests you about the connection between classical music and nature?
JH: I’ ve always been fascinated by how many composers have been inspired by nature— its beauty, its power, its fragility— and how this relationship with the natural world is evolving with today’ s composers. The works we feature on our spring EARTH | Songs festival are wonderful examples of the range of soundscapes we find when we seek inspiration from nature. From our very own Principal Percussionist Edouard Beyens performing Tan Dun’ s percussion concerto The Tears of Nature, to Mahler’ s poetic Song of the Earth, these pieces elicit poignant reflections on humanity’ s evolving connection to our shared home. Equally exciting, Mahler’ s genius for poetry in his song cycles allows us another opportunity to expand the power of voice with the symphony beyond our Verdi Opera Initiative.
LF: Coming off a successful 2024 – 25 season finale of Verdi’ s Aida, what can audiences expect for the 2025 – 26 season finale of Verdi’ s Rigoletto?
JH: I am,( we all are,) still riding on a high from the great success of Aida last June. This season, we set our sights on what is sure to be another memorable installment of our Verdi Opera Initiative— Rigoletto— where we continue to explore a complex father-daughter relationship, but in a completely different light. Baritone Quinn Kelsey and soprano Raven McMillon bring the tragedy of this story to life in a unique concert-opera production at both our home stages, featuring the leading voices of today in a star-studded cast. It is going to be another thrilling season finale.
LF: This season includes many programs inspired by the natural world, with performances of Stravinsky’ s The Rite of Spring and
EXPLORE THE FULL 2025-26 SEASON AT BSOMUSIC. ORG
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