The Dubuque Symphony Orchestra (DSO) presents its 2026-27 concert season: Spirit, Luminous and invites audiences to experience music’s power to inspire and connect. Throughout the season, the orchestra explores themes of resilience, love, hope, community and the enduring power of the human spirit through a vibrant collection of orchestral masterworks, celebrated guest artists and unforgettable musical storytelling.
“The music we share with you this season is sure to inspire, uplift and illuminate your spirit!” shares Music Director and Conductor, William Intriligator. “Music has the incredible ability to move our souls, to bring us great joy, and to help us feel more alive. This season the orchestra and guest artists will bring you great masterpieces of music that have stood the test of time, as well as some fresh newer voices.”
Highlights of the season include beloved masterpieces such as Tchaikovsky’s Piano Concerto No. 1, Brahms’ Symphony 1, Beethoven’s Symphony 7, Gershwin’s An American in Paris and Bernstein’s Symphonic Dances from West Side Story.
The upcoming season also welcomes an exceptional roster of guest artists. Pianist Ilya Yakushev returns to Dubuque for October’s season opener, while guitarist Marcus DeJesus takes center stage in November. In February’s Valentine’s weekend concert, audiences will enjoy performances by DSO Principal cellist Philip Bergman and acclaimed tenor Eric Ferring. DSO Principal Oboe Chanmi Kim will be featured as soloist in March.
In addition to the Classics Series, audiences can look forward to the DSO’s annual Holiday Concerts, DSO Rocks! and space-themed Season Finale - featuring iconic music from film and television alongside selections from Holst’s The Planets.
Season ticket packages go on sale to the public beginning 10 am Monday, June 29. Call or visit the DSO office at 563-557-1677 to order. Located at 2728 Asbury Road, on the lower level of the Atrium Building in Fountain Park. Open Monday - Thursday from 10 am to 4 pm.
The 2026-2027 season is made possible by Endowed Season Sponsors John & Alice Butler
2026-2027 Classics Series
Classics 1 - SEASON OPENER: The Fire Within
Five Flags Theater
Saturday, October 3 at 7:30pm | Sunday, October 4 at 2:00pm
Mikhail Glinka Russlan and Ludmilla Overture
Piotr Tchaikovsky Piano Concerto No. 1 Ilya Yakushev, piano
Johannes Brahms Symphony No. 1
Fueled by passion and intensity, the season opens with Glinka’s exhilirating Russlan and Ludmilla Overture, the return of Ilya Yakushev in Tchaikovsky’s iconic Piano Concerto No. 1, and Brahms’ monumental 1st Symphony - a powerful journey from embers to full orchestral blaze.
Classics 2 – Connection
Five Flags Theater
Saturday, November 7 at 7:30pm | Sunday, November 8 at 2:00pm
John Frantzen Big City
Marcos Vinicius Promenade dans la Vie Marcus DeJesus, guitar
Heitor Villa Lobos Guitar Concerto Marcus DeJesus, guitar
Jennifer Higdon Blue Cathedral
Leonard Bernstein Symphonic Dances from West Side Story
Music becomes a bridge between people, places and emotions in a program that weaves together contemporary orchestral textures, the expressive voice of Brazilian guitar with Marcus DeJesus, the transcendent beauty of Jennifer Higdon’s Blue Cathedral, and the exuberant pulse of Bernstein’s Symphonic Dances from West Side Story.
Classics 3 – Hearts in Harmony
Five Flags Theater
Saturday, February 13 at 7:30pm | Sunday, February 14 at 2:00pm
Piotr Tchaikovsky Andante Cantabile from String Quartet No. 1 Philip Bergman, cello
Salvatore Cardillo “Core ’ngrato” Eric Ferring, tenor
Gaetano Donizetti “Una furtiva lagrima” from L’ elisir d’ amore Eric Ferring, tenor
Jules Massenet “En fermant les yeux” from Monon Eric Ferring, tenor
Franz Lehár “Dein ist mein ganzes Herz” from Das Land des Lächelns Eric Ferring, tenor
Jessie Montgomery Divided Philip Bergman, cello
Edward Elgar Love’s Greeting (Salut d’amour) Philip Bergman, cello
Claude-Michel Schönberg “Bring him home” from Les Mis Eric Ferring, tenor
Eduardo di Capua “O sole mio” Eric Ferring, tenor
George Gershwin An American in Paris
DSO Principal Cellist Philip Bergman and tenor Eric Ferring join the orchestra in a heartfelt Valentine’s program of expressive works for cello, Italian art song, opera and Broadway. The program features Jessie Montgomery’s Divided with Bergman as soloist, the beloved “Bring Him Home” from Les Misérables performed by Ferring, and George Gershwin’s vibrant orchestral classic An American in Paris among other favorites.
Classics 4 – Full Spectrum
Five Flags Theater
Saturday, March 20 at 7:30pm | Sunday, March 21 at 2:00pm
Ludwig van Beethoven Egmont Overture
Ralph Vaughan Williams Oboe Concerto Chanmi Kim, oboe
Ludwig van Beethoven Symphony No. 7
Music becomes a voyage through powerful emotions and contrasting landscapes. Beethoven’s dramatic Egmont Overture, Vaughan Williams’ reflective Oboe Concerto with Principal Oboe Chanmi Kim and Beethoven’s jubilant Symphony No. 7 together create a compelling celebration of resilience, beauty and exuberance.
CASUAL CONCERTS
In addition to the Classics Series, the symphony also announces the dates of its Casual Concerts: Holiday Family
(December 5, 2026), Holiday Concerts (December 5-6, 2026), DSO Rocks!
(January 14, 15 & 16, 2027) and We are Made of Stars Season Finale (May 8-9, 2027). Tickets to any of these concerts are available as an add on to a package of 3 or all 4 Classics beginning June 29.
SINGLE TICKETS
Single tickets to concerts at Five Flags Theater go on sale August 27 at Five Flags Box Office or through Ticketmaster. Single tickets to We are Made of Stars at the Heritage Center go on sale August 27 at Farber Box Office. Single tickets to DSO Rocks! at the Mississippi Moon Bar will be available through the Diamond Jo box office in October.
