HAMPTON ROADS— The Virginia Symphony Orchestra has announced its 2026-2027 season. The orchestra says patrons should look forward to a season of bold melodies, powerful connections, and vivid artistry.
The 106th season is said by VSO to include powerful pieces like Verdi’s Requiem, Mahler’s Titan Symphony and Vivaldi’s Four Seasons, alongside beloved favorites, a Rodgers and Hammerstein celebration, Respighi’s Fountains of Rome, and Handel’s Messiah.
“We are ready to dive deep into the different relationships that music can bring between others this season” says VSO Music Director Eric Jacobsen, The Macon & Joan Brock Chair. “Inspiration that can be found in so many different ways – through chamber music groups, soloists and orchestra, conductors and the page…and it’s something we are excited to investigate and dive into this season with our audiences. It will be a season of exploration into the symphonic legacies that have defined generations and the new orchestral connections that are waiting to be made.”
In celebration of composer Philip Glass’s upcoming 90th birthday in January 2027, the season will feature the historic Virginia Premiere of Glass’s new Lincoln Symphony. The VSO said it has been granted the honor by Glass to produce the very first recording of the piece with Portsmouth native and groundbreaking artist Davóne Tines. The recording will be released in January 2027.
After numerous positive reviews from audiences, the orchestra says that the VSO Up Close series is returning with more chamber music and new intimate experiences, including Mozart’s Gran Partita and Schubert’s Trout Quintet. Performances will be featured in Norfolk and Newport News this season.
“Mahler once said, ‘A symphony must be like the world. It must contain everything’, and this season is exactly that.From such rich, powerful timeless classics to fun spectacular pops, this season truly has something for everyone to celebrate and enjoy with the VSO.” says Jacobsen.
While Chrysler Hall is closed for renovations, the VSO stated that it will still have a strong presence in Norfolk with 12 performances in the area. They will be utilizing Norfolk State University’s L. Douglas Wilder Performing Arts Center and SevenVenues’ Harrison Opera House and Attucks Theatre this season.
The season includes:
Opening Weekend: Mahler’s Titan Symphony with Eric Jacobsen
- Opening Weekend: Mahler’s Titan Symphony with Eric Jacobsen: Legacy and New Life
- Thursday, Sep. 10, 7:30 p.m. – CNU’s Ferguson Center for the Arts, Newport News
- Sunday, Sep. 13, 2:30 p.m. – Sandler Center for the Performing Arts, Virginia Beach
- VSO Up Close: Brahms’ Horn Trio
- Saturday, Sep. 12, 3 p.m. – CNU’s Ferguson Center for the Arts, Peebles Theatre, Newport News
- Vivaldi’s Four Seasons & Philip Glass’s Lincoln Symphony: Echoes and Icons
- Friday, Sep. 25, 7:30 p.m. – CNU’s Ferguson Center for the Arts, Newport News
- Sunday, Sep. 27, 2:30 p.m. – Sandler Center for the Performing Arts, Virginia Beach
- Amadeus Live
- Saturday, Oct. 10, 7:30 p.m. – Harrison Opera House, Norfolk
- VSO Up Close: Mozart’s Gran Partita
- Friday, Oct. 16, 7:30 p.m. – Attucks Theatre, Norfolk
- Sunday, Oct. 18, 3 p.m. – William & Mary Music Arts Center, Williamsburg
- John Williams & Steven Spielberg: Iconic Film Scores
- Friday, Oct. 23, 11 a.m. – CNU’s Ferguson Center for the Arts, Newport News (Coffee Concert)
- Saturday, Oct. 24, 7:30 p.m. – CNU’s Ferguson Center for the Arts, Newport News
- Sunday, Oct. 25, 7:30 p.m. – Sandler Center for the Performing Arts, Virginia Beach
- PB&J: John Williams’ Sounds of Adventure
- Sunday, Oct. 25, 3 p.m. – Sandler Center for the Performing Arts, Virginia Beach
- Gospel Night with the VSO
- Saturday, Nov. 14, 7:30 p.m. – CNU’s Ferguson Center for the Arts, Newport News
- Classical Christmas: A Midwinter Musicale
- Thursday, Dec. 3, 7:30 p.m. – Harrison Opera House, Norfolk
- Sunday, Dec. 6, 2 p.m. – William & Mary Music Arts Center, Williamsburg
- Sunday, Dec. 6, 4 p.m. – William & Mary Music Arts Center, Williamsburg
- Holiday Pops
- Saturday, Dec. 5, 7:30 p.m. – CNU’s Ferguson Center for the Arts, Newport News
- Friday, Dec. 18, 11 a.m. – Harrison Opera House, Norfolk (Coffee Concert)
- Friday, Dec. 18, 7:30 p.m. – Harrison Opera House, Norfolk
- Saturday, Dec. 19, 7:30 p.m. – Sandler Center for the Performing Arts, Virginia Beach
- PB&J: Jingle Bell Jam
- Saturday, Dec. 5, 3 p.m. – CNU’s Ferguson Center for the Arts, Newport News
- Saturday, Dec. 19, 3 p.m. – Sandler Center for the Performing Arts, Virginia Beach
- Handel’s Messiah: The Greatest Story Ever Told
- Thursday, Dec. 10, 7:30 p.m. – Virginia Beach
- Friday, Dec. 11, 7:30 p.m. – Harrison Opera House, Norfolk
- Saturday, Dec. 12, 2:30 p.m. – First Baptist Church Newport News, Newport News
- Holiday Brass
- Wednesday, Dec. 9, 7:30 p.m. Saint Bede Catholic Church, Williamsburg
- Sunday, Dec. 13, 3 p.m. Attucks Theatre, Norfolk
- Strauss & Mozart for the New Year: A Toast to Vienna
- Friday, Jan. 15, 2027 11 a.m. – CNU’s Ferguson Center for the Arts, Newport News (Coffee Concert)
- Friday, Jan. 15, 2027 7:30 p.m. – CNU’s Ferguson Center for the Arts, Newport News
- Saturday, Jan. 16, 2027 2:30 p.m. – Sandler Center for the Performing Arts, Virginia Beach
- Rodgers & Hammerstein Celebration
- Friday, Feb. 12, 2027 7:30 p.m. – NSU’s Wilder Center, Norfolk
- Saturday, Feb. 13, 2027 7:30 p.m. – CNU’s Ferguson Center for the Arts, Newport News
- VSO Up Close: Love Notes: Chamber Music for Valentine’s Day
- Sunday, Feb. 14, 2027 3 p.m. – CNU’s Ferguson Center for the Arts, Diamonstein Stage, Newport News
- Verdi’s Requiem: Wrath & Wonder
- Friday, Feb. 19, 2027 7:30 p.m. – NSU’s Wilder Center, Norfolk
- Saturday, Feb. 20, 2027 7:30 p.m. – CNU’s Ferguson Center for the Arts, Newport News
- Sunday, Feb. 21, 2027 2:30 p.m. – Sandler Center for the Performing Arts, Virginia Beach
- Grieg’s Piano Concerto: Folk and Fire
- Friday, March 5, 2027 7:30 p.m. – NSU’s Wilder Center, Norfolk
- Saturday, March 6, 2027 7:30 p.m. CNU’s Ferguson Center for the Arts, Newport News
- VSO Up Close: Schubert’s Trout Quintet
- Sunday, March 7, 2027 3 p.m. – CNU’s Ferguson Center for the Arts, Peebles Theatre, Newport News
- Video Games Live
- Saturday, March 13, 2027 7:30 p.m. – CNU’s Ferguson Center for the Arts, Newport News
- PB&J: The Unicorn’s Birthday
- Sunday, March 14, 2027 3 p.m. – Sandler Center for the Performing Arts, Virginia Beach
- Brahms’ Double Concerto with Sterling Elliott & Grace Park: Deep Currents
- Saturday, April 3, 2027 7:30 p.m. – CNU’s Ferguson Center for the Arts, Newport News
- Sunday, April 4, 2027 2:30 p.m. – Sandler Center for the Performing Arts, Virginia Beach
- PB&J: Peter and the Wolf & Young Person’s Guide to the Orchestra
- Friday, April 9, 2027 11 a.m. – Harrison Opera House, Norfolk (Coffee Concert)
- Saturday, April 10, 2027 3 p.m. – CNU’s Ferguson Center for the Arts, Newport News
- Sunday, April 11, 2027 3 p.m. – Sandler Center for the Performing Arts, Virginia Beach
- Illustrating Sound: Ravel, Janáček, and the Art of Alex Sopp
- Friday, April 16, 2027 7:30 p.m. – Sandler Center for the Performing Arts, Virginia Beach
- Saturday, April 17, 2027 7:30 p.m. – CNU’s Ferguson Center for the Arts, Newport News
- Grace Park Leads Mozart & Schubert: A Conversation in Music
- Friday, April 23, 2027 7:30 p.m. – Attucks Theatre, Norfolk
- Sunday, April 25, 2027 3 p.m. – William & Mary Music Arts Center, Williamsburg
- Sunday, April 25, 2027 7 p.m. – William & Mary Music Arts Center, Williamsburg
- The Music of Star Wars
- Saturday, May 1, 2027 7:30 p.m. – CNU’s Ferguson Center for the Arts, Newport News
- Sunday, May 2, 2027 2:30 p.m. – Sandler Center for the Performing Arts, Virginia Beach
New subscriptions will be available June 1, 2026, and single tickets will go on sale August 1, 2026. More information can be found at virginiasymphony.org.
