Classical music loves a prodigy. Fresh off his multi-album deal with Decca Records, Randall Goosby makes his NSO debut performing Mendelssohn’s masterpiece. Led by Thomas Wilkins, the program also features an inspiring, meditative new work by Anna Clyne and Elgar’s ever-popular Enigma Variations.

Gianandrea Noseda embarks on his first complete Ring Cycle in the Zurich Opera House.

A never-before-seen concert experience! Killer Mike is more than just a rapper—he’s a cultural icon. From his groundbreaking collaborations with Run the Jewels to his solo endeavors, Killer Mike’s music resonates with authenticity, raw energy, and a fearless commitment to speaking truth to power. Hear tracks from his newest, three-time Grammy-winning album Michael, and more, accompanied by the epic sounds of the Mighty Midnight Revival and the National Symphony Orchestra live.

Join Gianandrea Noseda on a wild journey into twilight... Composed in a furious burst of inspiration, the Seventh is Mahler at his most mysterious. Indulgent, elusive, and delightfully raw, the Seventh is a problem child for some conductors, but not Noseda. From clanging cowbells and titanic brass to intimate midnight mandolin, Mahler’s glamorous, dusk-to-dawn universe is far beyond this world.

Join us for Sound Health Fridays at The REACH for activities prior to 11:30 a.m. NSO coffee concerts. Arrive at 9:30 a.m. and purchase coffee at the Hyannis Port Coffee Bar, and wander the REACH. At 10 a.m., participate in a Morning Sing, attend a health-inspired talk and performance, or join a wellness-inspired workshop.

Experience the thunderous music of Otello in the hands of our opera-loving Music Director. Verdi’s score offers a thrilling exploration of uncontrolled human emotion at its most extreme. Hailed as a pinnacle of Italian operatic repertoire, Verdi’s transformation of the Shakespeare play was described by The New York Times as an “ascent towards a higher musical plane” following its 1887 premiere.

Classical music loves a prodigy. Fresh off his multi-album deal with Decca Records, Randall Goosby makes his NSO debut performing Mendelssohn’s masterpiece. Led by Thomas Wilkins, the program also features an inspiring, meditative new work by Anna Clyne and Elgar’s ever-popular Enigma Variations.

Join Gianandrea Noseda on a wild journey into twilight... Composed in a furious burst of inspiration, the Seventh is Mahler at his most mysterious. Indulgent, elusive, and delightfully raw, the Seventh is a problem child for some conductors, but not Noseda. From clanging cowbells and titanic brass to intimate midnight mandolin, Mahler’s glamorous, dusk-to-dawn universe is far beyond this world.

Experience the thunderous music of Otello in the hands of our opera-loving Music Director. Verdi’s score offers a thrilling exploration of uncontrolled human emotion at its most extreme. Hailed as a pinnacle of Italian operatic repertoire, Verdi’s transformation of the Shakespeare play was described by The New York Times as an “ascent towards a higher musical plane” following its 1887 premiere.

You know the famous four-note opening—now, be there for the full glory that is Beethoven’s Fifth Symphony. Imaginative, violent, and wide-ranging, this colossal crowd-pleaser thrusts the audience into Beethoven’s state of mind with roaring tension building to a triumphant, booming climax. Noseda opens the program with Strauss’ Four Last Songs featuring internationally acclaimed American soprano Rachel Willis-Sørensen along with Carlos Simon’s Four Black American Dances.

Noseda brings the drama in Strauss’ Ein Heldenleben, a sumptuous sonic self-portrait also depicting the composer’s wife, friends, and even his dreaded music critics. The program begins with Beethoven’s final, heroic piano concerto in the hands of returning favorite Leif Ove Andsnes—“a pianist of magisterial elegance, power, and insight” (The New York Times).

Grammy–winning violinist Joshua Bell presents The Elements, his newly commissioned project featuring works by renowned American composers Kevin Puts (Earth), Edgar Meyer (Water), Jake Heggie (Fire), Jennifer Higdon (Air), and Jessie Montgomery (Space) paired with striking onscreen visuals. Noseda closes the program with Brahms’ radiant Symphony No. 1—a noble, tender, towering masterwork of emotion.

A never-before-seen concert experience! Killer Mike is more than just a rapper—he’s a cultural icon. From his groundbreaking collaborations with Run the Jewels to his solo endeavors, Killer Mike’s music resonates with authenticity, raw energy, and a fearless commitment to speaking truth to power. Hear tracks from his newest, three-time Grammy-winning album Michael, and more, accompanied by the epic sounds of the Mighty Midnight Revival and the National Symphony Orchestra live.

Five-time Grammy Award winner Angélique Kidjo entrances audiences with her striking voice, stage presence, and visionary fusion of West African culture, American R&B, Latin music, funk, dancehall, and jazz. A once-in-a-lifetime performance!

Enjoy a symphonic fusion of two extraordinary musical worlds in honor of Juneteenth and the 75th birthday of gospel legend Richard Smallwood! Conducted by Grammy Award–winning producer Dr. Henry Panion III, this soulful celebration with special guest Richard Smallwood features performances by Smallwood’s ensemble Vision, gospel stars Dorinda Clark Cole, Maurette Brown Clark, Marvin Winans, and more.

Join us for a symphonic celebration of Disney music, animation, and memories—100 years in the making! Your favorite characters and soundtracks come to life in this live-to-film concert like never before as the NSO takes you on a magic carpet ride through the most memorable moments from Peter Pan, Moana, Aladdin, The Jungle Book, Frozen, The Lion King, Fantasia, Encanto, and more.

Celebrate the music of David Bowie’s final masterpiece Blackstar—plus iconic hits like “Space Oddity,” “Life on Mars,” and “Heroes”—reimagined by Artistic Director Donny McCaslin, bassist Gail Ann Dorsey, keyboardist Jason Lindner, and bassist Tim Lefebvre. Conducted by Grammy–winner Jules Buckley, this electrifying theatrical experience also features Bowie’s longtime drummer Nate Wood, vocalist David Poe, and special guest John Cameron Mitchell.

From smoky jazz echoing down U Street to the pulsating beats of Go-go born in the heart of D.C., the vibrant sounds of our city come alive at this electrifying concert event! Join the NSO and remarkable local artists as we showcase the music of homegrown heroes such as Marvin Gaye, Chuck Brown, Duke Ellington, John Philip Sousa, and more.

With the help of the National Symphony Orchestra and all-star guests, New York Times best-selling author/illustrator Mo Willems introduces fun musical ideas, explores big emotions, and invites viewers to listen, play, and create.

An annual tradition! The Concert Hall transforms into a ghostly sight when ghoulishly attired National Symphony Orchestra musicians celebrate Halloween with fa-boo-lous new works and spooky old classics.

The whole farmyard is getting ready for a hoedown—but it needs your help! Presented in collaboration with Teller Productions and developed specifically for toddlers, this immersive show features puppets, storytellers, and a string quartet from the National Symphony Orchestra.

Comprised of National Symphony Orchestra musicians, the Last Stand Quartet performs a lively program linking the ways in which math is present in all music-making, creating music to move to and engage with on a deeper level.

Explore the vastness of space with music inspired by the planets, stars, and beyond! In anticipation of the September 2025 voyage of Artemis II, the National Symphony Orchestra celebrates the discoveries and beauty of space through music and images.

Trey Anastasio, the longtime frontman of the genre-melding jam band Phish, rejoins the NSO for an unforgettable concert featuring orchestrations of classic Phish songs and solo Anastasio compositions. A curious and constant composer, Anastasio draws inspiration from experimental jazz, classical, rock, pop, reggae, metal, and even barbershop music.

The NSO kicks off its summer season at Wolf Trap with Beethoven’s Ninth, the symphony by which all others are measured. Witness the cosmic drama of this colossal masterwork, along with Samuel Coleridge-Taylor’s Violin Concerto performed by Sphinx Concerto Competition winner Njioma Grevious.

Coming to Wolf Trap from a galaxy far, far away… Join Luke Skywalker on his journey in the film that started it all! From the triumphant opening fanfare to the ethereal “Princess Leia’s Theme,” John Williams’ Oscar–winning score comes to life in this powerful, live-to-picture experience.

One of the world’s most popular operas, Puccini’s romantic depiction of Parisian bohemians captivates audiences with soaring arias and glorious melodies. Wolf Trap Opera’s bright cast will embody the relatable, endearing characters in this heart-wrenching tale.

Three decades after Illmatic’s critically-acclaimed release, hip hop legend Nas performs the iconic album in its entirety—plus more music from his illustrious career—with the NSO! Released in 1994, Illmatic is the seminal debut from Nas and has long been considered one of the greatest hip hop records of all time with hits including “N.Y. State of Mind,” “The World Is Yours,” “Memory Lane (Sittin’ in Da Park)” and “It Ain’t Hard to Tell.”

Get ready to embark on the penultimate leg of Harry’s journey as Warner Bros. and CineConcerts bring to the screen Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows™ Part 1. Harry, Ron and Hermione face their latest set of challenges and foes both new and old as the seventh film comes to Wolf Trap, projected on a giant screen and accompanied by the NSO. Relive every harrowing moment with an experience you’ll never forget.

Who you gonna call? Experience the ’80s classic like never before as the National Symphony Ochestra performs the Grammy–nominated score and Ray Parker Jr.’s Billboard Hot 100 chart-topping theme song live-to-film!