RLPO reveals new 2025-26 season programme

Sir Simon Rattle and the Bavarian Radio Symphony Orchestra, Sir Stephen Hough, Paul Lewis, and celebrated sopranos Carolyn Sampson and Sonya Yoncheva are among those set to appear in the Royal Liverpool Philharmonic’s 185th anniversary season.

The programme for 2025-26, revealed in a special event at the Philharmonic Hall last night, will also feature no fewer than 11 world and UK premieres – two of them by the season’s special artist in residence, Liverpool-born composer and clarinettist Mark Simpson.

Other highlights include tenor Nicky Spence in Elgar’s The Dream of Gerontius; accordionist Ksenija Sidorova in the UK premiere of Dobrinka Tabakova’s Accordion Concerto; Vasily Petrenko conducting Shostakovich’s Leningrad Symphony; a return for harpsichordist and former artist in residence Mahan Esfahani, and the Liverpool debut of charismatic pianist Frank Dupree in a concert in May 2026 celebrating 250 years of American independence.

This season’s programming pays tribute to two significant musical anniversaries: Arvo Pärt’s 90th birthday and what would have been Luciano Berio’s 100th birthday.

And it also marks the 25th anniversary of the RLPO becoming Classic FM’s ‘Orchestra in the North’.

Above: Mark Simpson, Carolyn Sampson, Paul Lewis and Pacho Flores. Top: Domingo Hindoyan conducts the RLPO. Photo by Gareth Jones

There will also be concerts featuring the sounds of Dame Julie Andrews and Elvis Presley – marking both the 90th anniversary of their births, The Beach Boys, Video Games and the Golden Age of Movies.

The new season opens on September 18 with chief conductor Domingo Hindoyan conducting Dvořák’s Symphony No 9, From the New World’, while the concert programme also features a reunion of the ‘Dream Team’ with Venezuelan virtuoso Pacho Flores performing Arturo Márquez’s Trumpet Concerto and includes young percussionists from Liverpool Philharmonic Youth Company and In Harmony Liverpool playing in Jennifer Higdon’s blue cathedral.

The season also includes a busy programme of chamber music, concerts by the Philharmonic’s contemporary group Ensemble 10:10, lunchtime concerts and performances by its various youth orchestras and choirs.

Above: Ksenija Sidorova returns to Hope Street. Photo by Roberts Blaubuks.

The popular Spirit of Christmas concerts will return, with baritone – and current artist in residence – Benjamin Appl the special guest.

And the Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Choir will also enjoy a busy season.

In addition to its annual performance of Handel’s Messiah, in 2026 with Lawrence Cummings, the choir will also perform alongside the orchestra and soloists Sophie Bevan and Samuel Hasselhorn in Brahms’ A German Requiem, conducted by Hindoyan, and Bernstein’s Chichester Psalms conducted by Geoffrey Paterson.

Domingo Hindoyan said: “I am so happy to present our new season of music. After a hugely popular Bruckner’s 9th Symphony last season, I'm particularly looking forward to presenting Symphony No 6, which will be the fifth symphony of Bruckner that we have presented in Liverpool.

Above: Pianist Frank Dupree. Photo by Marco Borggreve.

"I'm also very happy to share my love of French repertoire, sounds from the Americas, and opera.

"It's an honour to welcome so many world-class soloists from all over the world to perform with us, we will be introducing new artists to Liverpool and welcoming back old friends to perform alongside this wonderful orchestra.”

Vanessa Reed, the Royal Liverpool Philharmonic’s new Chief Executive, added: “I can’t wait to start my first season with this brilliant organisation.

“The Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra not only embodies musical excellence with an exciting and dynamic programme but offers a life-changing pipeline for musicians to flourish.

"I'm particularly proud to be platforming artists such as Mark Simpson, Carmel Smickersgill and Andrew Barney who have come up from our Youth Company and Rushworth Composition Prize.”

Priority booking opens today and tickets go on general sale on May 28 at 10am. Full programme details HERE

Images above of Mark Simpson by Katja Feldmeier, Carolyn Sampson by Marco Borggreve and Paul Lewis by Kaupo Kikkas.