Lowell Chamber Orchestra Unveils Seventh Season In Massachusetts 'New Perspectives'
The 2025-26 season will spotlight groundbreaking works, emerging and established composers.
The Lowell Chamber Orchestra has unveiled its seventh season, promising an ambitious lineup of performances that continue to challenge the conventional boundaries of classical music. Building on its reputation for innovation, accessibility, and artistic excellence, LCO's 2025-2026 season will spotlight groundbreaking works, emerging and established composers, and an unwavering commitment to community engagement - all presented free of charge. The season is once again organized in collaboration with "A World of Music" Concert Series at Middlesex Community College, where LCO is the college's resident orchestra.
The season, titled "New Perspectives," reflects LCO's mission to bring underrepresented voices and contemporary compositions to the forefront, alongside reinvigorated interpretations of the classical canon.
The season opens with "Classical Magic" on October 12, featuring Boccherini's evocative "La casa del diavolo," Haydn's Cello Concerto No. 2 with soloist William Suh-the winner of the 2025 LCO International Young Artist Competition-and Mozart's iconic Symphony No. 40.
In December, audiences will experience "String Virtuosity", a program designed to showcase the technical brilliance of the string section through music by Corelli, Hindemith - featuring violist Jessica Cooper - a world premiere by Nancy Skolos, and J.S. Bach.
The season continues in February with a powerful and wide-ranging concert highlighting music from the African-American diaspora, embracing traditions that span classical, gospel, jazz, and beyond. This concert is done in collaboration with Berklee School of Music.
April's performance, "Monumental Sounds", juxtaposes the elegance of Martines' overture to "Isacco", the passion of Mozart's Piano Concerto No. 21 performed by acclaimed pianist Chi-Chen Wu, and the dynamism of Beethoven's Symphony No. 8. This program also includes the US premiere of "Resiliens", a work by composer Felipe Oliveira, selected as the winner of LCO's 2025 International Call-for-Scores.
The season concludes in June 2026 with the annual Pride Month and a renewed celebration of LGBTQ artistry in "Pride: A Rainbow of Artistry."
"Each season is an opportunity to explore music that speaks to the present moment," says LCO Music Director Orlando Cela. "This year, we're amplifying voices that deserve to be heard and crafting programs that ask audiences to listen differently - to reconsider what classical music can be."
With performances that span genres, centuries, and cultures, the Lowell Chamber Orchestra continues to lead as a champion of inclusivity in classical music. By spotlighting living composers, emerging artists, and historically overlooked figures, the orchestra invites audiences to reconsider what classical music is-and what it can become. All concerts remain free and open to the public, reinforcing LCO's commitment to accessibility and cultural enrichment for the Greater Lowell community.
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Jon Cleary and The Absolute Monster Gentlemen Payomet Performing Arts Center (8/15-8/15) |
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Jim Gaffigan Wang Theatre (10/24-10/24) |
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Yeston & Kopit's Phantom North Shore Music Theatre (10/21-11/01) VIDEOS |
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Crooked Coast Whale Jam Benefit Concerts Cisco Kitchen and Bar (6/14-7/26) |
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Moulin Rouge! Boston Opera House (7/29-8/09) |
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Laura Benanti: Nobody Cares Boston Center for the Arts (10/22-10/25) |
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Worcester Youth Orchestras Auditions: Travel to Europe Mechanics Hall (6/13-8/21) |
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HAIRSPRAY The Cape Playhouse (7/15-8/08) |
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THE 25TH ANNUAL PUTNAM COUNTY SPELLING BEE The Cape Playhouse (9/02-9/19) |
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Deer Tick Payomet Performing Arts Center (8/22-8/22) |