The Mainly Mozart All-Star Orchestra Festival will hold its 38th season from June 17 to 27, 2026, presenting six performances in San Diego venues. As the largest Mozart celebration in North America, the festival assembles concertmasters and principal players from leading U.S. and Canadian orchestras, including the New York Philharmonic, Los Angeles Philharmonic, and Chicago Symphony. This gathering underscores San Diego's emergence as a major destination for classical music, bringing together elite talent typically dispersed across the continent.
A significant artistic change for the 2026 season is the appointment of a single concertmaster for all six concerts, a practice not seen in eight years. David Kim of The Philadelphia Orchestra will assume this role, providing consistent leadership throughout the series. This shift may influence the orchestra's cohesion and interpretive continuity, offering audiences a unified artistic vision across diverse programming.
The festival's importance extends beyond performance to cultural and economic impact. By attracting top-tier musicians and soloists, it enhances San Diego's cultural profile and stimulates local tourism. The event also provides accessible classical music through varied ticket options, with single tickets ranging from $68-$155 at The Conrad Prebys Performing Arts Center and $25-$250 at UC San Diego's Epstein Family Amphitheater. Festival packages are available for purchase beginning February 15, 2026, at https://www.mainlymozart.org/allstar.
The 2026 program balances canonical works with distinctive repertoire, featuring soloists of international acclaim. Anne-Marie McDermott will perform Beethoven's Piano Concerto No. 3 on June 17, while guitarist Mak Grgić presents Rodrigo's Concierto de Aranjuez on June 21. Pianist Anton Nel, a Grammy-nominated Mozart interpreter, performs Mozart's Piano Concerto No. 9 on June 23. Violinist James Ehnes appears twice, playing Schumann's Violin Concerto on June 25 and Brahms's Double Concerto with cellist Robert DeMaine on June 27.
This festival's structure—combining beloved symphonies by Mozart, Beethoven, and Mendelssohn with less familiar pieces—serves to both satisfy traditional audiences and expand musical horizons. The inclusion of works by Prokofiev, Copland, Márquez, and Pärt demonstrates a commitment to repertoire diversity while maintaining a core focus on Mozart. Such programming decisions reflect broader trends in classical music toward balancing preservation with innovation.
Mainly Mozart's recognition by the International Mozarteum Foundation as one of only two U.S. "Mozart Communities" further validates the festival's artistic significance. This designation places San Diego among global centers for Mozart performance and scholarship, potentially attracting international attention and collaboration. The festival's educational outreach, supporting over 350 young musicians through youth orchestra programs, ensures its impact extends beyond the concert hall to nurture future generations of artists and audiences.
