The Calgary Philharmonic Orchestra has announced its eclectic 2026/2027 season, featuring a wide range of concerts from Bollywood to Dollywood, Mozart to Munsch. Highlights include the return of former music director Rune Bergmann for a special one-night appearance, along with performances by five-time Grammy-winning Beninese musician Angelique Kidjo and Canadian star pianist Angela Cheng.
Rune Bergmann's Return
Rune Bergmann, who served as music director for nine years, last conducted the orchestra in the Jack Singer Auditorium in 2025. He will return for a single concert on May 15, 2026, leading the orchestra in a performance with Angelique Kidjo. The Beninese-French singer-songwriter will join the Calgary Phil for the first time, presenting her new African symphony. The concert will feature interpretations of music by icons such as Fela Kuti and Miriam Makeba, along with hits by Burna Boy, Rema, and other contemporary artists.
Angelique Kidjo and Angela Cheng
Angelique Kidjo's performance is part of a season that also includes Canadian pianist Angela Cheng. Cheng will join the Calgary Phil on March 6, 2027, to perform Saint-Saens Piano Concerto No. 2 as part of the Rachmaninoff Symphonic Dances program. The orchestra's principal guest conductor, Karen Kamensek, will lead two concerts: Tchaikovsky's Sixth: The Final Symphony (Nov. 6-7) and A Sunrise Odyssey (May 7-8), a commissioned work by Errollyn Wallen, the U.K. Master of the King's Music.
Diverse Programming
The season includes a variety of world music and themed concerts. Dreams of Bollywood (Oct. 17) marks the orchestra's first exploration of South Asian musical sensations, featuring the Veils of Bollywood Dance Company. Conductor Stuart Chafetz returns for Bitter Sweet Symphony: The Best of the '90s (May 28-29). Classical works are also featured, including Dvorak and Janacek (Jan. 22-23), led by Natalia Ponomarchuk, chief conductor of the Kyiv Chamber Orchestra, exploring themes of resistance. Innovative violinist Maria Ioudenitch performs Mozart's Violin Concerto No. 5 as part of Mozart + Mahler (Nov. 21-22).
Family and Youth Concerts
The Calgary Phil continues its outreach to youth and newcomers to classical music. The season features 71 concerts, including Dolly Parton's Threads: My Songs in Symphony (Sept. 11), a multimedia experience with Dolly narrating on the big screen. Other pop concerts celebrate Beyoncé, Billy Joel, and the Bee Gees. Film music concerts include The Music of John Williams (Sept. 25-26) and Spirited Soundtracks: The Music of Studio Ghibli (Jan. 30), presented with One Yellow Rabbit for the 2027 High Performance Rodeo.
Family-friendly Symphony Sundays for Kids series includes A Robert Munsch Storytime (Jan. 17), based on The Paper Bag Princess and Thomas' Snowsuit, and Peter and the Wolf with the Old Trout Puppet Workshop. Live-to-film concerts feature How To Train Your Dragon 2 (Sept. 4-5), Disney's Moana (Oct. 9-10), How the Grinch Stole Christmas (Nov. 27-28), and Jurassic Park (May 21-22). The annual free Phil in the Park returns on Sept. 13 at Prince's Island.
For more information on the Calgary Philharmonic Orchestra season, visit their website.
