WORCESTER—Music Worcester just announced its full 2025–2026 season, with single tickets for nearly all events going on sale Monday, June 23. The 29-event lineup includes internationally acclaimed performers across classical, jazz, choral, and early music genres, plus a return of the popular Summer@Music Worcester series with three warm-weather concerts.
The new season highlights include the Orchestre National de France with pianist Daniil Trifonov, Grammy-nominated jazz vocalist Catherine Russell, pianist Simone Dinnerstein, jazz artist Aaron Diehl, early music ensembles such as The Sebastians and Hespèrion XXI led by Jordi Savall, and the second year of Music Worcester’s ambitious 10-year project, THE COMPLETE BACH, presenting all known works of J.S. Bach by 2035.
“This season brings a stunning array of talent from across the globe,” said Executive Director Adrien Finlay in the announcement. “From solo recitals to large-scale dance and choral-orchestral presentations, the 2025–2026 season promises to delight, inspire, and deepen one’s engagement with composers from over six centuries.”
Summer starts with global sounds
Summer@Music Worcester opens July 18 at Mechanics Hall with Ladysmith Black Mambazo, co-presented with Crocodile River Music. On July 25, flutist Emi Ferguson and early music band Ruckus play the BrickBox Theater, followed by the Hermitage Piano Trio at Tuckerman Hall on August 15.
Fall features international stars
The official season kicks off Oct. 5 with Musicians of the Old Post Road performing Bach cantatas at First Unitarian Church. October also marks the return of BACHtoberfest, a weekend-long series of Bach performances (Oct. 24–26), including multiple appearances by Simone Dinnerstein and her ensemble Baroklyn.
Mechanics Hall hosts Kyung-Wha Chung and pianist Kevin Kenner (Nov. 2), and Orchestre National de France with Daniil Trifonov (Nov. 7). On Nov. 14, American Patchwork Quartet brings a global roots fusion to Holy Cross’s Prior Performing Arts Center.
Holidays and New Year highlights
The Worcester Chorus returns for its annual Messiah performance on Dec. 6, followed by the Women’s Ensemble holiday concert on Dec. 21. January opens with the American Spiritual Ensemble (Jan. 10), marking Dr. Everett McCorvey’s tenure as Music Worcester’s 2026 Artist-in-Residence.
Bach, jazz, and a tribute to Douglass
Winter continues with THE COMPLETE BACH, including performances by the Worcester Chorus and Emmanuel Music in January and February. Jazz takes center stage Feb. 27 with The Aaron Diehl Trio, followed by Refugee Orchestra Project (Mar. 1), and a recital by Argentinian pianist Nelson Goerner on Mar. 5.
The Bach Birthday Bash weekend (Mar. 20–22) features The Sebastians, Worcester Chamber Music Society, and the community-based Cantatathon at Mechanics Hall.
Spring Finale Features Ballet, World Premieres
Grammy-nominated vocalist Catherine Russell and pianist Sean Mason appear at the BrickBox on Mar. 26. Jordi Savall and Hespèrion XXI perform on Apr. 11, followed by Alexandre Kantorow, Tchaikovsky competition winner, in a recital on Apr. 17.
A major season highlight comes Apr. 25 with the world premiere of FREDERICK: Cantata on the Life of Frederick Douglass, composed by the late Brian Story and performed by the Worcester Chorus, Clark University Choir, and New England Repertory Orchestra.
In May, the Worcester Chorus Women’s Ensemble joins Cantilena for I Rise: Women in Song (May 8), and the season closes May 9 with the return of Dance Theatre of Harlem, co-presented with The Hanover Theatre.
Single tickets for Dance Theatre of Harlem will be available in July. Full details and ticket information are available at musicworcester.org.
Have news, tips, or a story worth telling? Reach Editor Charlene Arsenault at carsenault@theworcesterguardian.org—because good stories (and great scoops) deserve to be shared.
