100 Points
Apr 23
Apr 25
Apr 26
The Cleveland Orchestra, under the leadership of Franz Welser-Möst since 2002, is one of the most sought-after performing ensembles in the world. Year after year, the ensemble exemplifies extraordinary artistic excellence, creative programming, and community engagement. In recent years, The New York Times has called Cleveland “the best in America” for its virtuosity, elegance of sound, variety of color, and chamber-like musical cohesion.
Founded by Adella Prentiss Hughes, the Orchestra performed its inaugural concert in December 1918. By the middle of the century, decades of growth and sustained support had turned the ensemble into one of the most admired around the world.
The past decade has seen an increasing number of young people attending concerts, bringing fresh attention to The Cleveland Orchestra’s legendary sound and committed programming. More recently, the Orchestra launched several bold digital projects, including the streaming platform Adella.live and its own recording label. Together, they have captured the Orchestra’s unique artistry and the musical achievements of the Welser-Möst and Cleveland Orchestra partnership.
The 2025–26 season marks Franz Welser-Möst’s 24th year as Music Director, a period in which The Cleveland Orchestra has earned unprecedented acclaim around the world, including a series of residencies at the Musikverein in Vienna, the first of its kind by an American orchestra, and a number of celebrated opera presentations.
Since 1918, seven music directors — Nikolai Sokoloff, Artur Rodziński, Erich Leinsdorf, George Szell, Lorin Maazel, Christoph von Dohnányi, and Franz Welser-Möst — have guided and shaped the ensemble’s growth and sound. Through concerts at home and on tour, broadcasts, and a catalog of acclaimed recordings, The Cleveland Orchestra is heard today by a growing group of fans around the world.
Now in its 74th season, The Cleveland Orchestra Chorus is celebrated for its versatility and refined musicianship, appearing regularly with The Cleveland Orchestra at Severance and Blossom Music Center. As one of the few all-volunteer, professionally trained choruses affiliated with a major American orchestra, it received the 2019–20 Distinguished Service Award, recognizing extraordinary service to the Orchestra.
Visit cochorus.com for more information on the Chorus and auditions.
The Cleveland Orchestra Children’s Chorus was formed in 1967 to provide a high-quality choral group for the many orchestral works written for children’s voices, and to offer choral training to school children in the Cleveland area. Today, the Children’s Chorus regularly performs with The Cleveland Orchestra and The Cleveland Orchestra Chorus at Severance Music Center, including the annual Holiday concerts at Severance. Recent seasons have also seen performances with the Cleveland Pops Orchestra, the Akron Symphony Orchestra, and the Cleveland Orchestra Youth Chorus. The Children's Chorus is open to singers in grades 6 through 8 via audition & application.
Visit cocc.cochorus.com/auditions for more information on the Children’s Chorus and how to audition.
Composer
One of the 20th century’s grandest and most moving calls for peace is taken up by The Cleveland Orchestra, two of TCO’s choruses, and three preeminent vocalists, all under the baton of Klaus Mäkelä. Born from the horrors of two world wars, Britten’s searing War Requiem intersperses the Latin Requiem text with haunting antiwar poems by British poet and soldier Wilfred Owen. It’s a powerfully emotional experience that you will not soon forget.
There will be a Concert Preview presentation one hour prior to the concert in Mandel Concert Hall with Jamie O’Leary, Frederick R. Selch Associate Professor of Musicology, Oberlin Conservatory.
We offer a variety of concessions before the concert, as well as during intermission.
2 hours before concert: Suzanne and Paul Westlake Terrace Room, Lotus Club*, and Smith Lobby
45 minutes before concert: Grand Foyer, Dress Circle, and Box Lobby
Intermission: Grand Foyer, Dress Circle, Box Lobby
*Donor exclusive lounge areas available. Learn more about becoming a donor
The April 26th concert will be live-streamed at 3PM (EST) on Adella, Medici.tv, and Mezzo.
Below is a list of the features and services available at Severance for this concert. You may also request assistance in advance of a concert by calling the Severance Welcome Desk at 216-231-7300 or create a request using the button below.
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