This season, Eric Jacobsen celebrates his 10th anniversary leading the orchestra. Photo 2016 Ben Van Hook.
FOR THE ORLANDO PHILHARMONIC ORCHESTRA, THE 2026-2027 SEASON ISN’T SIMPLY ANOTHER COLLECTION OF CONCERTS. It marks a milestone that reflects how much the organization has evolved over the past decade while looking confidently toward its future.
The season celebrates Music Director Eric Jacobsen’s 10th anniversary leading the orchestra, a tenure that has reshaped expectations for what a regional orchestra can accomplish through innovative programming, collaborative performances and a willingness to rethink the traditional concert experience. From immersive productions inside Steinmetz Hall to the long-awaited return of violin legend Itzhak Perlman, the anniversary season serves as both a celebration and a statement about where orchestral music is headed.
“Our 2026–2027 Season is defined by reconnection and transformative experiences,” noted Karina Bharne, Executive Director at the Orlando Philharmonic Orchestra. “Over the past decade, Eric has redefined what an orchestra can be for Central Florida, and this season honors his legacy of innovation by bridging classical masterpieces with groundbreaking presentations.”
That philosophy is evident throughout the season’s programming. Rather than relying solely on beloved orchestral standards, the Philharmonic continues to expand the concert experience beyond the traditional stage, blending classical music with immersive production, multidisciplinary collaborations and newly commissioned works.
One of the most ambitious examples will arrive during the orchestra’s Resonate Festival at Steinmetz Hall inside the Dr. Phillips Center for the Performing Arts.
The Philharmonic plans to physically transform the acclaimed venue by flattening the hall’s adaptable floor system, creating an immersive performance environment unlike anything audiences have experienced locally. Instead of remaining seated in conventional rows, patrons will become active participants inside the performance itself.
“We are physically transforming our performance space during the Resonate Festival by flattening the Steinmetz Hall floor, shifting the audience from passive listeners to active participants in an immersive environment,” Bharne says.
The festival coincides with a bicentennial celebration honoring Beethoven while continuing Jacobsen’s long-standing mission of making orchestral music more immediate and accessible.
That balance between honoring tradition and embracing innovation runs throughout the anniversary season.
Alongside Beethoven, the orchestra will present another historic milestone by performing Handel’s Messiah under Jacobsen’s direction for the first time. Although the beloved oratorio has become a seasonal staple for orchestras around the world, this marks the Philharmonic’s inaugural presentation with its music director on the podium.
Another deeply personal highlight comes during the Classics Series performance Jacobsen Conducts Rachmaninoff, when Brooklyn Rider—the internationally acclaimed string quartet Jacobsen co-founded—joins the orchestra for what Jacobsen describes as a full-circle moment.
The performance also reflects how Jacobsen has consistently brought his own artistic relationships and collaborative spirit to Orlando, introducing audiences to musicians and ensembles that extend well beyond the traditional orchestral world.
The orchestra will further reinforce that commitment to contemporary music through a co-commissioned work by acclaimed composer Nico Muhly written for Brooklyn Rider.
“We are also balancing a respect for musical legacy with a commitment to the future, co-commissioning a new work by composer Nico Muhly for Brooklyn Rider while simultaneously honoring the historic 200th anniversary of Beethoven’s passing,” Bharne says.
The season culminates in another landmark event when legendary violinist Itzhak Perlman returns to perform with the Orlando Philharmonic for the first time in more than a decade during the Rhapsody Gala on March 23.
“We want our audience to leave the hall feeling a profound sense of awe, connection, and belonging.” Eric Jacobsen, Music Director. Photo 2016 Ben Van Hook.
For many longtime patrons, Perlman’s appearance represents both a celebration of the orchestra’s artistic growth and a reminder of the caliber of internationally recognized musicians now regularly appearing in Orlando.
While those marquee performances provide major highlights, Jacobsen points to the opening concert as the single event that best captures the orchestra’s artistic identity.
“If you can only attend one event, make it Opening Night: Gershwin’s Rhapsody in Blue,” she says.
Rather than presenting George Gershwin’s iconic work as a traditional orchestral performance, the Philharmonic plans an ambitious multimedia production that combines orchestral music with jazz influences, dance and visual design.
The evening features three guest pianists sharing the spotlight alongside custom lighting effects and live ballet dancers performing onstage with the orchestra.
“This is not just a concert; it is a multi-sensory spectacle that perfectly showcases the collaborative, genre-bending style Eric has championed in Orlando for over a decade,” noted Bharne. “Featuring three guest pianists, dynamic custom lighting, and live ballet dancers sharing the stage, it is the ultimate showcase of the Philharmonic’s creative vitality and a great way to kick off our anniversary year with unmatched energy.”
Those kinds of interdisciplinary collaborations have become a hallmark of Jacobsen’s tenure.
Since arriving in Orlando, he has consistently challenged assumptions about what symphonic performances should look and feel like, encouraging partnerships with dancers, visual artists and contemporary composers while maintaining the orchestra’s commitment to core classical repertoire.
The result has been an organization increasingly comfortable presenting Beethoven and Brahms alongside contemporary premieres, film concerts, crossover performances and innovative audience experiences designed to welcome first-time concertgoers.
That inclusivity remains central to the orchestra’s vision for the coming season.
For the Philharmonic, the concerts themselves represent only part of the experience. Each performance is designed to foster a stronger connection between audiences, performers and the broader Central Florida arts community.
“Music has the unique power to unite us, and the 2026–2027 Season—celebrating over a decade of artistic leadership from the helm—is our ultimate love letter to Central Florida,” Bharne says.
Bharne describes the anniversary season as both a celebration of resilience and an expression of gratitude to audiences who have supported the orchestra through years of artistic growth and changing cultural landscapes.
“It is a celebration of our shared resilience, over ten years of collaborative creativity, and a bright future ahead,” Bharne says.
That emphasis on community extends beyond longtime subscribers.
Like many arts organizations, the Philharmonic continues working to attract new audiences who may be experiencing live orchestral music for the first time. Jacobsen believes immersive performances, collaborative productions and thoughtfully curated programming help remove barriers that can sometimes make classical music feel intimidating.
Whether visitors arrive because of Beethoven, Gershwin, Handel, Perlman or an entirely new musical discovery, the orchestra hopes they leave with a renewed appreciation for live performance.
“Whether someone has attended concerts for years or is visiting for the very first time, we want every performance to feel inspiring, culturally enriching, and memorable,” Bharne says.
If the past decade transformed what the Orlando Philharmonic Orchestra could become, the 2026–2027 season suggests its next chapter may be its most ambitious yet.