Oxford Philharmonic Orchestra has announced its 2026/27 season, with a major opera launch, the start of an Oxford Beethoven Festival, family concerts, young artist platforms and international performances across Europe and the United States.
At a glance
| Organisation | Oxford Philharmonic Orchestra |
| Season | 2026/27 |
| Oxford opening highlight | Oxford International Opera’s fully staged production of Puccini’s Tosca at New Theatre Oxford |
| Major festival | Oxford Beethoven Festival 2027, marking 200 years since Beethoven’s death |
| Artists featured | Sir Bryn Terfel, Carmen Giannattasio, Saimir Pirgu, Martha Argerich, Maxim Vengerov and Steven Isserlis |
| Family programme | Three FUNomusica children’s concerts across the season |
| Booking | Priority booking from 2 July, Friends booking from 6 July and general booking from 9 July |
| Box office | 01865 980 980 |
| More information | Oxford Philharmonic Orchestra events page |
Oxford Philharmonic Orchestra has set out a wide-ranging new season that will bring opera, Beethoven anniversary concerts, family performances and international guest artists to the city.
The 2026/27 programme begins in September with the debut of Oxford International Opera at New Theatre Oxford, where Puccini’s Tosca will be staged on 24 and 26 September.
The season will then continue across Oxford venues including the Sheldonian Theatre, Holywell Music Room and other city spaces, while also taking the orchestra to major venues beyond Oxford.
Oxford Philharmonic Orchestra says its programme spans four centuries of classical composition and includes performances further afield in London, New York, Rome, Berlin, Athens and Istanbul.
Tosca opens the season at New Theatre Oxford
The most immediate local highlight is Tosca, which will be performed by Oxford International Opera with Oxford Philharmonic Orchestra at New Theatre Oxford.
The fully staged production will feature Sir Bryn Terfel as Scarpia, Carmen Giannattasio as Tosca and Saimir Pirgu as Cavaradossi.
Marios Papadopoulos will conduct, with Oxford International Opera Chorus, Radley College Choristers and Oxford Philharmonic Orchestra also involved.
OPO describes the production as the first outing for Oxford International Opera, bringing an ambitious opera project to one of the city’s largest theatre stages.
Tickets for Tosca are listed from £20 to £125 through OPO and ATG, with both performances starting at 7pm.
Oxford Beethoven Festival begins in 2027
The season also marks the start of the Oxford Beethoven Festival 2027, created to honour Beethoven’s music on the 200th anniversary of his death.
OPO says full details of the festival will be announced in September, but the current season listings already include major Beethoven works.
The first Beethoven anniversary concert listed is Eroica Symphony on 21 January 2027, followed by Pastoral Symphony on 5 February.
In February, the orchestra will also present back-to-back Oxford concerts involving Martha Argerich and Maxim Vengerov, before taking those artists and programmes on tour to European cities including Berlin, Istanbul, Munich and Athens.
Sir Bryn Terfel is also due to join the orchestra for Beethoven’s Choral Symphony, first at the Sheldonian Theatre and then at Carnegie Hall in New York.
Major season highlights
| Date | Concert or event | Why it stands out |
|---|---|---|
| 24 and 26 September 2026 | Tosca | Oxford International Opera’s debut production at New Theatre Oxford, starring Sir Bryn Terfel, Carmen Giannattasio and Saimir Pirgu. |
| 7 October 2026 | English Melodies | OPO’s first symphonic concert of the season, exploring the pastoral character of English music. |
| 18 October 2026 | FUNomusica: Halloween Spooktacular | A family concert encouraging children to dress up and enjoy orchestral music with a seasonal theme. |
| 21 November 2026 | Monteverdi Vespers of 1610 | A major sacred work performed at the Sheldonian Theatre before being taken to Rome. |
| 12 December 2026 | Leonidas Kavakos | The internationally acclaimed violinist directs Mozart and Brahms. |
| 21 January 2027 | Eroica Symphony | The opening listed concert in OPO’s Beethoven anniversary programming. |
| 5 February 2027 | Pastoral Symphony | Marios Papadopoulos conducts and performs in a Beethoven programme. |
| 12 to 14 February 2027 | Martha Argerich plays Ravel | The legendary pianist appears with the orchestra in Oxford before international dates. |
| 13 February 2027 | Maxim Vengerov plays Beethoven | Vengerov performs Beethoven’s Violin Concerto. |
| 6 May 2027 | Choral Symphony | Sir Bryn Terfel joins the orchestra for Beethoven’s Ninth Symphony at the Sheldonian Theatre before a Carnegie Hall performance. |
| 13 May 2027 | Encounters with Gershwin | A programme connecting classical performance with jazz and popular idioms. |
| 30 May 2027 | FUNomusica: Adventures in the Magic Kingdom | A family concert aimed at introducing younger listeners to orchestral music. |
| 3 June 2027 | Steven Isserlis | The British cellist joins the orchestra for a programme including Shor and Shostakovich. |
| 17 June 2027 | Gershwin and Bernstein | The season closes with music showing how classical music can embrace popular styles. |
Music beyond Oxford
Although Oxford remains the centre of the season, the programme also underlines the orchestra’s international reach.
Before Christmas, OPO will perform Monteverdi’s Vespers of 1610 in Oxford and then at the Basilica Papale di Santa Maria Maggiore in Rome, with His Majestys Sagbutts and Cornetts.
In February, concerts involving Martha Argerich and Maxim Vengerov will be taken on tour after their Oxford performances, with dates announced for cities including Berlin, Istanbul, Munich and Athens.
Later in the season, the orchestra will take Beethoven’s Choral Symphony to Carnegie Hall in New York, with Sir Bryn Terfel among the soloists.
The orchestra will also bring Gershwin to Oxford and to Ronnie Scott’s Jazz Club in London in May.
Family concerts and young musicians
The 2026/27 season also continues OPO’s education and outreach work.
FUNomusica returns with three family concerts, aimed at introducing children to orchestral music in a lively and accessible way. OPO says the concerts are primarily aimed at children aged four to eight, although younger children and siblings are also welcome.
Alongside the family programme, Young Artist Platform recitals will run through the year, giving emerging musicians a chance to perform before Oxford audiences.
The orchestra’s Academy Programme also continues through Side-by-Side performances and Student Fellow opportunities.
The Side-by-Side scheme gives emerging orchestral musicians the chance to rehearse and perform alongside OPO players in selected concerts, while the Student Fellowship Programme is designed to help young musicians develop professional orchestral skills.
Why the season matters locally
Oxford Philharmonic Orchestra was founded in 1998 by Marios Papadopoulos, who remains its Music Director.
Since then, the orchestra has become one of Oxford’s most visible professional music organisations, bringing international soloists to the city while also working with schools, students and young musicians.
The 2026/27 season strengthens that dual role. On one hand, it brings high-profile artists and major repertoire to Oxford. On the other, it continues family concerts, youth platforms and training routes for emerging performers.
For local audiences, the season offers several different entry points: opera at New Theatre Oxford, major symphonic concerts at the Sheldonian, chamber music at historic city venues, family performances and Beethoven anniversary programming.
Booking information
| Priority booking | Opens for Patrons on 2 July 2026 |
| Friends booking | Opens on 6 July 2026 |
| General booking | Opens on 9 July 2026 |
| Box office | 01865 980 980 |
| Season listings | oxfordphil.com/events |
| OPO website | oxfordphil.com |
Audiences should check individual event pages before booking, as venues, prices, access information and running times vary across the season.
FAQs
When does Oxford Philharmonic Orchestra’s 2026/27 season begin?
The season begins in September 2026 with Oxford International Opera’s fully staged production of Puccini’s Tosca at New Theatre Oxford.
When is Tosca at New Theatre Oxford?
Tosca will be performed on Thursday 24 and Saturday 26 September 2026, with both performances starting at 7pm.
Who is starring in Tosca?
The principal cast includes Sir Bryn Terfel as Scarpia, Carmen Giannattasio as Tosca and Saimir Pirgu as Cavaradossi.
What is the Oxford Beethoven Festival 2027?
It is OPO’s Beethoven anniversary programming for 2027, marking 200 years since the composer’s death. Full details are due to be announced in September.
Which major artists are appearing?
The season includes appearances by artists including Sir Bryn Terfel, Martha Argerich, Maxim Vengerov and Steven Isserlis.
Are there family concerts?
Yes. FUNomusica returns with three family concerts during the season, aimed mainly at children aged four to eight.
When do tickets go on sale?
OPO says priority booking opens for Patrons on 2 July, Friends booking opens on 6 July and general booking opens on 9 July.
Where can people book?
Tickets and full event details are available through Oxford Philharmonic Orchestra’s events page or by calling the box office on 01865 980 980.
