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The 2025/26 seasons of the Chicago Symphony Orchestra and Symphony Center Presents are just weeks away, and members of the Sales and Patron Experience team are here to help. Subscriptions for all series are now on sale and can be ordered online or over the phone.
Can’t decide which concerts to select? Over the next weeks, staff members will offer their own choices for the must-see performances of 2025/26.
Joseph Fernicola, director of sales and patron experience, observes that the motto of the United States of America is “E pluribus unum” (out of many, one), and "it’s the perfect phrase to encapsulate so much of what we offer at Symphony Center. Out of many individual and remarkable talents, our orchestra members perform with one, united sound. Out of the many different patrons who attend our concerts, they become one fan base for great music and community."
Here are his must-see selections for the upcoming season:
Americana Montage: So, with “E pluribus unum” in mind, my No. 1 highlight for next season is the America 250 programming in June 2026. During that month, we will celebrate America’s Semiquincentennial (the 250th anniversary of the founding of the United States) with the beautiful amalgamation of musical sounds and styles that is solely American.
More Mäkelä, More Muti: Two of the very best are back again — Klaus Mäkelä and Riccardo Muti — and each leading four distinct concert programs in Chicago this season. If I could select only two concerts conducted by these fellas, I would pick Muti leading An Opera Night (March 19-21), and Mäkelä conducting Gershwin’s An American in Paris (March 5-6). But who am I kidding — I’ll be at all the concerts where either is on the podium!
Out of This World: I’m over the moon that the CSO at the Movies series is presenting one of my favorite films of all time! “2001: A Space Odyssey” (Jan. 9-10) is one of those rare films that has become only more relevant over time. The soundtrack to the film is stellar as well, mashing up classical pieces you know. Continuing with the space adventure theme, don’t forget about the OG “Star Wars” film (June 25-27) that will close out the 2025/26 Season.
Armchair Travel: At Symphony Center, we get to experience cultures from around the world; this year there are two great escapist concerts perfectly placed in the middle of a Chicago winter! First, in January, the Sinfónica de Minería orchestra of Mexico City will warm things up with an energetic concert program (Jan. 18). Then, in February, we’ll have a fantasy night of music and dance in Buenos Aires with Tango After Dark (Feb. 28).
Note: Curated and create-your-own subscriptions are available now; tickets for individual concerts go on sale Aug. 6.
