Performance Calendar

One of the world’s most celebrated Irish fiddlers, Martin Hayes' music remains deeply rooted in Irish expression, yet it reaches across styles and cultures, creating a truly global conversation. His core Common Ground ensemble of players is joined by an all-star cast of Irish and American artists for a vibrant cultural celebration.

In just four years, Icelandic pianist Víkingur Ólafsson has become a mainstay on our season, and a welcome presence in Boston. He returns in 2026 for his solo debut on our grandest stage for classical music, Symphony Hall.

Harpist Eduardo Betancourt leads his all-Venezuelan jazz quartet in an exciting collaboration with the young musicians of Boston String Academy’s El Sistema-inspired program. Separately and side by side, they’ll perform jazz and Venezuelan folksongs in this multicultural, intergenerational afternoon of music!

Jonathan Suazo is an award-winning saxophonist, composer, and cultural catalyst, using music to celebrate and illuminate his Puerto Rican and Dominican roots. Whether leading drum circles, mentoring young artists, or crafting dynamic performances, he seamlessly bridges tradition and innovation. Celebrate the release of his forthcoming album: the much-anticipated Ricano, Volume 2. Student musicians from the Boston Music Project will join Jonathan and his band, including for the debut of a newly orchestrated arrangement from his latest album.

Big issues are taken down to size, conflicts are sliced through, and hilarity emerges, somehow, from misfortune in David Sedaris’ telling. David will read new and unpublished works, take audience questions, and will stay after the performance to meet and sign books for every person in line.

This must-see event for the United States’ 250th anniversary year brings together a stage full of talented young singers, the words of American literary luminaries, two amazing Boston-based cellists, and the world premiere of a new choral work by B.E. Boykin, setting a poem by britny ray crowell.

The Takács Quartet—long celebrated for their fearlessness, power, and interpretive clarity—finds a well-matched partner in American violist Jordan Bak. Like the Quartet, Bak draws praise for his power and warmth, commanding presence, and ability to captivate an audience’s attention and imagination. 

Virtual Event: This event will now be a virtual conversation, on Tuesday, April 14 at 6:30PM. The Book Club meetup will be hosted on Zoom, accessible on your phone, tablet, or computer.

In Evening in the Palace of Reason, author James Gaines recounts the meeting between Johann Sebastian Bach, late in his life, and the energetic reformer Frederick the Great, King of Prussia. Before pianist Pierre-Laurent Aimard begins his journey through Bach's Well-Tempered Clavier, Volume 2, you're invited to join us for a facilitated online one-hour discussion about the book and related topics. Read part or all of the book selection: it's a jumping-off point for a lively and thought-provoking conversation! Tickets for the performance are not required, and Mr. Aimard will not be involved.

Pierre-Laurent Aimard, one of the world’s most respected pianists, makes a long-anticipated Vivo Performing Arts debut with his signature intellect, expressiveness, and clarity. Join Aimard for an 88-key journey though the 24 keys of the preludes and fugues of Book II of Bach’s Well-Tempered Clavier, where his insightful interpretation reveals the genius of Bach in thrilling new dimensions. 

Pianist and organist John Paul McGee returns with a program pairing classical piano music by Black composers with McGee's signature "Gospejazzical," a joyful and spiritually uplifting blend of gospel, jazz, and classical traditions. McGee’s concert promises transformative music designed to uplift, soothe, and inspire, through innovative harmonies and engaging rhythms.