Seattle Symphony has announced its 2025-26 season, the first with Xian Zhang as its new music director. Here is a breakdown of the vocal performances on offer.

Gemma New conducts works by Gabriella Smith and Vaughan Williams with Wendy Bryn Harmer  and Jarrett Ott as the vocal soloists. The concert also features cellist Gabriel Cabezas and the Seattle Symphony Chorale.

Performance Dates: Oct. 23 & 25, 2025

Nicholas Ellis leads the Seattle Symphony and Chorale in Händel’s “Messiah” with Myriam Leblanc and Andrew Haji among the soloists.

Performance Dates: Dec. 18 -21, 2025

Jacob Winkler leads “A Festival of Lessons and Carols” with the Northwest Boychoir, Vocalpoint! Seattle, and Northwest Sinfonia.

Performance Dates: Dec. 22, 2025

Music Director Xian Zhang leads “Iris Unveiled” with Peking opera singer Meng Meng. Also on the program is Shostakovich’s Fifth Symphony.

Performance Dates: Feb. 12 – 15, 2026

Janai Brugger headlines Poulenc’s “Stabat Mater” in a program that also features works by Ravel and Stravinsky. Andrew Litton conducts the showcase, which also features the Seattle Symphony Chorale.

Performance Dates: March 19 & 21, 2026

Nicholas McGegan leads a Mendelssohn program that features Tess Altiveros and Sarah Larsen as the vocal soloists.

Performance Dates: April 16 – 19, 2026

Xian Zhang leads Beethoven’s Symphony No. 9 with Toni Marie Palmertree, Alicia Olatuja, Jennifer Johnson Cano, and SeokJong Baek as the soloists. The program also features Steven Mackey’s “RIOT.”

Performance Dates: June 18 – 21, 2026