Classical Tahoe celebrates 15th season; launches tickets and summer lineup

by | Apr 13, 2026 | Uncategorized

INCLINE VILLAGE, Nev. – Celebrating a major milestone, Classical Tahoe Music Festival will return for its 15th season from July 11 through Aug. 9, featuring four weeks of orchestral, jazz and chamber music performances by over 70 musicians from across the country. New this year, the festival introduces a chamber music concert at Sugar Bowl Resort, the return of Music in Motion with the Lake Tahoe Dance Collective and a special night of jazz featuring Brubeck Summit Sextet: Tahoe’s Jazz All-Stars, all part of a season that honors America 250 through its concerts. Performances take place at the Ricardi Pavilion at the University of Nevada, Reno, at Lake Tahoe, as well as at additional venues throughout Incline Village, offering an intimate concert experience set against the Sierra landscape. Tickets are available now HERE.

“I’m so pleased and proud with the way Classical Tahoe’s 15th season has come together. We will be presenting four weeks of concerts of extraordinary range, ” said Laura Hamilton, Classical Tahoe artistic director. “Honoring our nation’s Semiquincentennial, we’ll feature American composers, past and present, throughout the festival. Beyond that, it’s not an exaggeration to claim that there will be “something for everybody,” including inspiring symphonies, hot jazz, chamber music spanning three centuries, classical ballet, internationally renowned guest artists and educational family programming.”

The season opens July 11 with the Summer Gala honoring Carol Franc Buck and featuring American-themed entertainment. It is followed by the Brubeck Jazz Summit from July 12–17, a three-concert series celebrating the legacy of jazz pianist Dave Brubeck. The orchestral series begins with a program featuring Charles Ives’ “Variations on America,” Tchaikovsky’s Piano Concerto No. 1 and Rimsky-Korsakov’s “Scheherazade.”

“I’m particularly excited to work with our guest soloists, who bring so much artistry and virtuosity to our stage,” continued Hamilton. “A special shout-out goes to double bassist Ha Young Jung, who will perform Nino Rota’s Divertimento Concertante with the Classical Tahoe Orchestra and Maestro Eric Jacobsen on August 8. Ms. Jung, who has been part of our orchestra since 2021, will take center stage with this delightful and dauntingly difficult concerto.”

From July 19 through Aug. 9, the festival will showcase a mix of orchestral and chamber performances, in addition to the return of ‘Music in Motion.’ This collaboration with the Lake Tahoe Dance Collective occurs alongside an expanded Chamber Connections program in partnership with the University of Nevada, Reno School of Music.

A new chamber music concert is introduced at the Sugar Bowl Resort, featuring a reception, drinks and a performance of Dvořák’s String Quartet No. 12 “American”. The season finale on Aug. 8 features Beethoven’s Symphony No. 7. Community programming continues with the Family Concert and Music Maker’s Faire, as well as open rehearsals and opportunities for audiences to engage more closely with the music.

FESTIVAL DEBUTS & FEATURED ARTISTS

Classical Tahoe’s 15th season welcomes acclaimed guest artists and returning favorites:

  • Eric Jacobsen returns as Principal Guest Conductor, leading performances on July 24, Aug. 7 and Aug. 8
  • Jerry Bergonzi – Featured artist during the Brubeck Jazz Summit on July 12 and July 14
  • Brubeck Summit Sextet – World-renowned jazz artists featured on July 16
  • Tenor Limmie Pulliam – Performs opera arias and American spirituals on Aug. 1
  • Daniel Stewart – Guest Conductor debut on July 31 and Aug. 1
  • Emmanuel Ceysson – Los Angeles Philharmonic principal harpist on Aug. 7
  • Bella Hristova returns with Dvorak’s Violin Concerto on July 31
  • Roman Rabinovich performs Tchaikovsky’s Piano Concerto No. 1 on July 24

ORCHESTRAL MASTERPIECES

Audiences can experience a range of iconic works, including:

  • Charles Ives – “Variations on America”
  • Tchaikovsky – Piano Concerto No. 1
  • Rimsky-Korsakov – “Scheherazade”
  • Brahms – Symphony No. 1
  • Beethoven – Symphony No. 7
  • Nino Rota – Double Bass Concerto
  • Dvořák – Violin Concerto

CHAMBER & SPECIAL PERFORMANCES

The festival expands its chamber and crossover programming:

  • Dvořák — String Quartet No. 12 “American”
  • Bernstein — Suite from “West Side Story” arranged for brass quintet
  • Ravel — Introduction et Allegro for harp, flute, clarinet and string quartet
  • Recital of Beethoven Piano Sonatas performed by Gilles Vonsattel

For more information about the 2026 Classical Tahoe Festival, visit classicaltahoe.org  or follow them on Facebook, Instagram and X.