Bravo! Vail Music Festival announces 39th season
This six-week event brings acclaimed orchestras, guest artists and educational and enrichment opportunities to the valley
Bravo! Vail Music Festival/Courtesy photo
The Bravo! Vail Music Festival will return June 25 to Aug. 6, 2026, for its 39th season with more than 60 concerts throughout the Vail Valley. The six-week festival features internationally acclaimed orchestras — Academy of St Martin in the Fields, the Dallas Symphony Orchestra, The Philadelphia Orchestra and the New York Philharmonic — alongside distinguished chamber ensembles and guest artists from around the world.
The centerpiece of the season is a festival-long celebration of Anne-Marie McDermott’s 16-year tenure and her last as artistic director of Bravo! Vail. Highlights include McDermott’s performances of all five Beethoven piano concertos with the Academy of St Martin in the Fields, the world premiere of “Prayer for the Living” by Aaron Jay Kernis — a commissioned gift to McDermott from Bravo! Vail. There will also be collaborative performances with pianists Yefim Bronfman, Anton Nel, Gregory Anderson and Elizabeth Roe.
Additionally, McDermott presents pianists Illia Ovcharenko, Ilya Shmukler, Fei-Fei Dong and Chaeyoung Park in the complete cycle of Beethoven’s 32 Piano Sonatas in eight free concerts at the Vail Interfaith Chapel — an extraordinary artistic and educational offering for the community. Taking place throughout July, the concerts are offered free to the public, with additional details and availability announced in March 2026.
“During the interview process for my job as artistic director of the Bravo! Vail Music Festival, I recorded my ideas and aspirations for the festival in a small notebook,” McDermott said. “When I leaf through its pages now, I am astonished and humbled to see just how many ideas were brought to life over the course of 16 summers. In 2010, I imagined the festival becoming a ‘hotbed’ for international musical talent and a place where musical dreams come true. As we announce the 2026 season, my last as artistic director, what I once could only imagine is today a reality, thanks to an extraordinary community built on generosity and trust, and inspired by excellence and a genuine passion for music. I could not be more grateful.”
Other highlights include the return of Joshua Bell, music director for the Academy of St Martin in the Fields. The Dallas Symphony Orchestra, The Philadelphia Orchestra and the New York Philharmonic invite musical directors Fabio Luisi and Yannick Nézet-Séguin and guest conductors Marin Alsop, Elim Chan, Aram Demirjian, Stéphane Denève, Santtu-Matias Rouvali, and Jeff Tyzik to headline the Orchestra Series.
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Two favorites not to miss include Luisi leading the Dallas Symphony Orchestra in a concert version of Puccini’s “Madam Butterfly,” and The Philadelphia Orchestra and Colorado Symphony Chorus performing Beethoven’s Symphony No. 9 led by Nézet-Séguin.
In addition to performances at the Gerald R. Ford Amphitheater, expect to find Bravo! Vail Music Festival performances throughout the valley. Immersive Experiences are back at the Donovan Pavilion. Bravo! Vail’s Immersive Experiences offer listeners an in-depth exploration of a complete body of music over two concerts, with musicians themselves serving as guides. The 2026 series focuses on Bach’s Cello Suites, six solo works that form the pinnacle of the cello repertoire and are among the most recognizable and beloved works in classical music.
Bravo! Vail’s Chamber Music Series showcases four captivating performances by internationally acclaimed chamber musicians and ensembles in the intimate settings of the Donovan Pavilion and Vilar Performing Arts Center.
Classically Uncorked will fill the Vail Golf Clubhouse with two inventive chamber music programs, featuring four visionary pianists on two pianos.
Throughout the festival, Bravo! Vail offers more than 20 free concerts in the Eagle and Lake County communities as part of its Education and Enrichment Program. This series features emerging artists and musicians from visiting orchestras and ensembles. These accessible programs are at the heart of Bravo! Vail’s mission to provide extensive music education throughout the community, ensuring everyone can enjoy high-quality classical music and educational opportunities in their own towns.
On Dec. 2, donors at the Contributor Level and above could reserve tickets for Bravo! Vail’s 2026 season. Single tickets and ticket packages will be available for purchase on Jan. 27, 2026. Visit BravoVail.org for more information. All artists, programs and pricing are subject to change.
