Ljubljana: A Festive First

The Cleveland Orchestra’s 2026 European tour is filled with historic milestones. The ensemble’s 81st international tour also marks Franz Welser-Möst’s final international tour as Music Director, making each performance a meaningful moment.

The tour continues the Orchestra’s legacy of global prominence with a return to Budapest after more than 20 years, concerts in Dortmund and Brussels for the first time in more than a decade, and a third-ever appearance in Bratislava.

Among the tour’s many highlights is a landmark first: The Cleveland Orchestra’s debut performance in Slovenia. At Cankarjev dom in Ljubljana, a sold-out audience welcomed the Orchestra and Welser-Möst with enthusiasm and heartfelt appreciation.

The concert also provided an opportunity to strengthen cultural connections. During intermission, dignitaries and friends of Cankarjev dom gathered for a reception, including Suzana Češarek, Consul General of the Republic of Slovenia in Cleveland. The gathering celebrated the shared connections between Slovenia and Cleveland, bringing communities together through a mutual appreciation for music and culture.