The Louisiana Philharmonic and Music Director Matthew Kraemer.

In Tuesday’s (3/3) Nola.com (New Orleans), Dean M. Shapiro writes, “The Louisiana Philharmonic has selected most of the pieces that will be performed during the 2025-2026 season, much of which will be focused on the 250th anniversary of the birth of the United States. ‘We’re doubling down on some amazing American composers,’ [Music Director Matthew] Kraemer said, noting that the LPO will be debuting a world premiere by renowned composer James Lee III. Lee’s Concerto in A is dedicated to the Gershwin Concerto in F Major, which was composed a hundred years ago, Kraemer pointed out. Kraemer also noted that several pieces composed by Dmitri Shostakovich will be performed in commemoration of the 50th anniversary of his passing. The season will open at the Orpheum on Sept. 26 with Kraemer conducting a performance of Verdi’s Requiem Mass … The LPO will present 12 subscription concerts at the Orpheum Theater during the upcoming season…. Also on tap for the 2025-26 season are five separate performances in the LPO’s Chamber Orchestra Series … ‘Each program will feature works by legacy composers, along with a work by a living composer with Louisiana roots, amplifying their contributions to the orchestral music landscape,’ Kraemer said…. The LPO will perform classic works that are more familiar to concertgoers … [and] Carlisle Floyd’s ‘Pilgrimage,’ in what is being termed ‘an immersive opera experience,’ presented in partnership with New Orleans Opera.”