Next Season Is a Symphony of Sound—Here’s What Not to Miss
A preview of the best performances in San Francisco Symphony’s upcoming season. Plus, “& Juliet” comes to town and subscriptions for SF Ballet are now on sale.
Hometown Heroes
Several San Francisco Symphony musicians step into the spotlight as soloists next season. Principal Trombone Timothy Higgins does double duty: premiering Shift, a new trombone concerto by Jimmy López, and debuting his own Market Street, 1920s. Higgins’s compatriot in the brass section, Principal Trumpet Mark Inouye, takes a featured role in Shostakovich’s sprightly Piano Concerto No. 1, with pianist Seong-Jin Cho. Principal Flute Yubeen Kim makes his Symphony solo debut in two programs: Bach’s Brandenburg Concerto No. 5 this fall, alongside violinist/leader Alexi Kenney, and Ibert’s riveting, rarely heard Flute Concerto in the spring, conducted by Dima Slobodeniouk. The SF Symphony Chorus also shines in Bach’s Easter Oratorio and in a spring concert conducted by Chorus Director Jenny Wong.
Youth or Experience? Why Not Both?
Whether you prize seasoned mastery or are drawn to rising-star energy, 2025–26 delivers. At 98, San Francisco Symphony Conductor Laureate Herbert Blomstedt returns to lead Mahler’s massive Ninth Symphony, a 90-minute journey of catharsis and complexity. If a “fire-breathing virtuoso” is more your speed, French pianist Alexandre Kantorow makes his San Francisco Symphony debut performing Prokofiev’s fiendishly difficult Third Piano Concerto. The 27-year-old Tchaikovsky Competition winner turned heads performing Ravel’s Jeux d’eau in the rain-soaked opening ceremony of the Paris Olympics last summer. For more breakout talent, check out the Shenson Spotlight Series of four intimate debut recitals.
On the Stage
This week is all about reinvention: experience beloved movie scores in a new way, Juliet gets a new ending with a Broadway musical, and a certain fair lady gets a full transformation at San Francisco Playhouse.
Movie Music of Hans Zimmer
Music | San Francisco Symphony
July 16–18 | Tickets
Sarah Hicks conducts an evening of unforgettable movie music from legendary film composer Hans Zimmer, featuring selections from the scores to The Lion King, The Pirates of the Caribbean, Batman: The Dark Knight, Gladiator, and more.
More Events
- & Juliet | BroadwaySF | Now – July 27
- Audio Described: July 12
- ASL Interpreted: July 26
- Ride the Cyclone | New Conservatory Theatre Center | Now – August 15
- My Fair Lady | San Francisco Playhouse | Now – September 13
- Audio Described & Haptic Tour: August 10
Next Line
Contra Costa Civic Theatre marks 65 years of community theatre and subscriptions are now on sale for San Francisco Ballet’s upcoming season.
- Contra Costa Civic Theatre is commemorating 65 years and is inviting you to join in the celebration. On August 9 from 1 to 4 p.m., CCCT hosts an open house event with a look back at the theatre’s past, tours, and refreshments.
- San Francisco Ballet invites audiences to experience the 2025 season with exclusive subscriber benefits through its full-season Principal 6 Series or flexible Flight of Four sampler. These options offer significant savings compared to single-ticket prices, plus added perks like 20% off Nutcracker tickets and priority access to the most in-demand weekend performances.
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