FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Renia Shterenberg, Executive Director
Bangor Symphony Orchestra
exdir@bangorsymphony.org
(207) 942-5555
www.bangorsymphony.org
Bangor Symphony Orchestra Announces Exciting 2026–2027 Season: Blaze and Brilliance
Bangor, Maine — The Bangor Symphony Orchestra (BSO) is thrilled to announce its 131st season, a season of “Blaze and Brilliance”, featuring traditional favorites as well as contemporary works. Music Director and Conductor Lucas Richman enters his 17th season with the BSO, a season not to be missed!
“Having the opportunity to stand in front of this orchestra has been one of the most inspiring highlights of my life.” says Lucas Richman, Music Director and Conductor of the BSO. “Our artistic collaborations continue next season with some of the greatest repertoire and soloists around— I can’t wait to share these experiences with our audiences and community!”
“Next season the orchestra will be presenting some really exciting and adventurous material,” says Renia Shterenberg, Executive Director. “The programming that Lucas (Richman) has put together for our audiences has a healthy mix of recognizable and new works; we’re bringing back the Nutcracker, and presenting the awesome movie “Star Wars: The Empire Strikes Back In Concert” live-to-film. I couldn’t be more excited!”
Masterworks I: Force of Nature — Zuill Bailey, cello The season opens on October 18, 2026, with Grammy-Award winning cellist Zuill Bailey performing Michael Daugherty’s “Tales of Hemingway”. The evening also features “New England Autumn” by Peggy Stuart Coolidge, and Robert Schumann’s “Symphony No. 2”.
Masterworks II: Symphonic Metamorphosis — Henry Kramer, piano On November 22, 2026, Maine-born pianist Henry Kramer brings Beethoven’s familiar Piano Concerto No. 2 to life. The concert opens with Carl Maria von Weber’s Der Freischütz Overture, and includes Edward Elgar’s arrangement of J. S. Bach’s Fantasia and Fugue along with Paul Hindemith’s Symphonic Metamorphosis of Themes by Carl Maria von Weber. and concludes with Dvořák’s pastoral Symphony No. 8.
Masterworks III: Noble Splendor — Julian Rhee, violin January 31, 2027, showcases rising star violinist Julian Rhee performing Henri Wieniawski’s Violin Concerto No. 2. The program also features Franz Schubert’s Symphony No. 9, “The Great”, and a world premiere by BSO Music Director and Conductor Lucas Richman.
Masterworks IV: Orchestra Unleashed — Moni Jasmine Guo, composer Celebrate the awesome power of the orchestra on March 14, 2027, with a bold all-orchestral concert. The evening includes an East-coast premiere of “the sound of where i came from 乡音 “ by Moni Jasmine Guo, as well as Béla Bartók’s Concerto for Orchestra. Members of the Bangor Symphony Youth Orchestras will be joining the professional musicians on stage for a Side by Side performance of Aram Khachaturian’ Gayane: Three Pieces.
Masterworks V: Resurrection Symphony — Natalia Santaliz, soprano & Erin Wagner, mezzo-soprano Closing the Masterworks series on April 25, 2027, the BSO performs Leonard Bernstein’s Olympic Hymn and Gustav Mahler’s Symphony No. 2, “Resurrection”, with soprano Natalia Santaliz, mezzo-soprano Erin Wagner, and featuring the UMaine Singers and Oratorio Society Chorus.
Special Events
The Nutcracker – A holiday tradition for all ages, Bangor Symphony Orchestra proudly presents the annual production of The Nutcracker with the Robinson Ballet and Bangor Area Youth Choirs. Beloved by audiences throughout Maine, the magic ensues as Clara, the Sugar Plum Fairy, and the Nutcracker grace the stage of the Collins Center for the Arts as the Bangor Symphony Orchestra, Bangor Area Youth Choirs, and Music Director and GRAMMY-award winning Conductor Lucas Richman bring Tchaikovsky’s score to life.
The Bangor Symphony Orchestra will present Star Wars: The Empire Strikes Back in Concert featuring composer John Williams’ GRAMMY® -winning score performed live to the film. Fans will experience the scope and grandeur of this beloved film in a live symphonic concert experience led by conductor Lucas Richman on May 22 & 23, 2027 at the Collins Center for the Arts. This presentation is licensed by Disney Concerts.
Subscription Information
Subscriptions are now on sale through the Collins Center for the Arts Box Office, and include all five Masterworks Concerts plus add-on ticket options for The Nutcracker and Star Wars: The Empire Strikes Back in Concert. New subscribers save 40%. Digital tickets are also available. Single tickets for Masterworks concerts and special events will go on sale August 6, 2026. Visit bangorsymphony.org or call (207) 581-2787 to subscribe.
About the Bangor Symphony Orchestra
The Bangor Symphony Orchestra (BSO) is one of the nation’s oldest continually operating professional orchestras, dedicated to enhancing the cultural landscape of Bangor, Maine, through exceptional live performances, music education, and community engagement. Join us as we continue to perform and celebrate the transformative power of music.
For more information about the Bangor Symphony Orchestra, please visit our website at bangorsymphony.org. Follow us on social media to join our vibrant community and engage with our musicians and fellow music enthusiasts.