Join Gianandrea Noseda on a wild journey into twilight... Composed in a furious burst of inspiration, the Seventh is Mahler at his most mysterious. Indulgent, elusive, and delightfully raw, the Seventh is a problem child for some conductors, but not Noseda. From clanging cowbells and titanic brass to intimate midnight mandolin, Mahler’s glamorous, dusk-to-dawn universe is far beyond this world.

A never-before-seen concert experience! Killer Mike is more than just a rapper—he’s a cultural icon. From his groundbreaking collaborations with Run the Jewels to his solo endeavors, Killer Mike’s music resonates with authenticity, raw energy, and a fearless commitment to speaking truth to power. Hear tracks from his newest, three-time Grammy-winning album Michael, and more, accompanied by the epic sounds of the Mighty Midnight Revival and the National Symphony Orchestra live.

Classical music loves a prodigy. Fresh off his multi-album deal with Decca Records, Randall Goosby makes his NSO debut performing Mendelssohn’s masterpiece. Led by Thomas Wilkins, the program also features an inspiring, meditative new work by Anna Clyne and Elgar’s ever-popular Enigma Variations.

Beloved Broadway legend Patti LuPone returns to the Kennedy Center with a new show that she describes as a “personal musical memoir.”

The one-and-only Norah Jones brings her Visions Tour to D.C.! Jones burst onto the world stage in 2002 with Come Away with Me—the seminal album that introduced a singular new voice and became a global phenomenon reaching #1 in 20 countries, selling nearly 30 million copies, and sweeping the 2003 Grammy Awards with eight wins. Visions, Jones’ seventh solo album, will be released March 8, 2024. Please note: There is an eight-ticket limit per patron for this performance.

Hip hop icon and founding Kennedy Center Hip Hop Culture Council Member MC Lyte presents an evening with five-time Grammy®-winning soul singer, songwriter, performer, and producer PJ Morton and Grammy Award®–, Soul Train Music Award–, and NAACP Image Award–nominated soul singer and multi-hyphenate MAJOR.! These two legendary artists will host a one-night-only performance in the Concert Hall honoring mothers and mother figures.

Featuring a special set by PRAISE 104.1 FM’s DJ Soul.

Strap in for the psychedelic rollercoaster of Symphonie fantastique, Berlioz’s epic fever dream of obsession, ecstasy, tantrums, and wild ambition. The NSO also performs Bryce Dessner’s Mari and Liszt’s scintillating Piano Concerto No. 1 performed by the “one in a million giant of solo piano” Benjamin Grosvenor (The Independent).

Manfred Honeck, whose 2020 recording of Bruckner’s Ninth earned him three Grammy nominations, presents the gripping work live to D.C. audiences. NSO Concertmaster Nurit Bar-Josef showcases her “especially beautiful playing… brimming with character” (The Washington Post) in Beethoven’s rarely heard Romances for violin and orchestra.

Known as the King of Rant, the Grammy Award®–winning stand-up Lewis Black uses his trademark style of comedic yelling and finger-pointing to expose the absurdities of life. His comedic brilliance makes people laugh at life’s hypocrisies and the insanity he sees in the world.

At this once-in-a-lifetime event, Cyrus Chestnut brings his epic interpretation of Duke Ellington’s Sacred Concerts to life. Don’t miss a rare, star-studded performance of this joyful music embracing the gospel, jazz, blues, swing, and classical styles that defined The Duke’s work and spirituality.

Travel through the world of Leonard Cohen with an extraordinary ensemble of legends and luminaries including Madison Cunningham, Ben Folds, Bill Frisell, Don Henley, Gregory Porter, Susan Tedeschi, Derek Trucks, and Trisha Yearwood*. Backed by the raw power of the NSO, this unforgettable concert event features Leonard Cohen’s timeless music—including “Suzanne,” “Hallelujah,” “Famous Blue Raincoat,” and more conducted by seven-time Grammy-winning sensation Vince Mendoza.

Devilishly dexterous and eclectic, Chris Thile is at home in every genre—from bluegrass to Baroque to jazz to indie pop. The Grammy winner’s brand-new work for mandolin, vocals, and orchestra will feature his trademark whimsical songwriting and storytelling, instrumental virtuosity, and ever-present sense of humor. Don’t miss this brilliant exploration of American music both old and new!

As heard in 2001: A Space Odyssey, the famous ascending brass passage that opens Also sprach Zarathustra is just the tip of this orchestral iceberg. Prepare yourself for a wild ride of cosmic drama led by one of today’s leading conductors, Simone Young. Lise de la Salle—“a musical thinker with charm, imagination and a dazzling technique” (The Washington Post)—performs Mozart’s elegant Piano Concerto No. 9.

In a very special show mirroring their “Family Dinner” series, five-time Grammy winners Snarky Puppy are joined by four remarkable singers: Fuensanta, Gaby Moreno, Silvana Estrada, and Silvia Pérez Cruz. 
Please note: the NSO does not perform on this program.

Explore the world with music.

Extraordinary cellist and beloved music ambassador Yo-Yo Ma returns to the Kennedy Center for a lively Concert Hall recital with longtime musical partner, British pianist Kathryn Stott.

Experience the sweeping drama of Dvořák’s “New World” Symphony, inspired by the African American and indigenous music Dvořák encountered during his time in America. It has remained one of the most popular symphonies of all time. Conductor Xian Zhang opens the concert with works by Samuel Coleridge-Taylor and Billy Childs.

This is not your typical Requiem. Anguish, loss, and fear of death are gone—replaced with a tender vision of paradise that awaits. Gabriel Fauré’s masterpiece is one of the most iconic works of the sacred choral repertoire, comforting audiences far beyond the composer’s Parisian congregation. Bernard Labadie conducts the divine score, along with symphonies by Mozart and Rigel that also premiered to great acclaim in Paris.

Take the A-Train to a special afternoon of music paying tribute to the beloved jazz composer and bandleader! Conducted by Daniel Bartholomew-Poyser, the National Symphony Orchestra performs this swinging session as part of the Kennedy Center’s season-wide Ellington 125 celebration.

Swing and sway to the timeless jazz brilliance of The Duke! As part of the Kennedy Center’s season-long celebration of Duke Ellington, the NSO presents a soulful, star-studded tribute to the Washington, D.C.-born icon. Join us as Bilal, Aloe Blacc, Alita Moses, Sullivan Fortner, and Grant Langford breathe new life into favorites like “Take the A Train,” “In a Sentimental Mood,” and more vibrant music from jazz’s golden era.

The exceptional artistry of the Rotterdam Philharmonic comes to Washington D.C. for the first time in more than two decades. 

The Washington Post says it best: “the NSO has a knack for making old favorites sound not just new, but renewed.” Whether you are a seasoned classical music aficionado or a newcomer to the genre, you’ll delight in this light program of popular classics by Bernstein, Puccini, Rossini, Florence Price, William Grant Still, Sibelius, Vaughan Williams, and others—a perfect night out at the symphony!

Join us for a RIOT!, a special comedy event featuring hilarious comics in celebration of Women’s History Month. This year, catch Zarna Garg, Chloe Radcliffe, Irene Tu, and Jenny Yang!

Sixteen-time Grammy Award^®–winning musician, composer, and producer David Foster joins forces with acclaimed singer and television/Broadway star Katharine McPhee to bring their show on the road.

When the power of the human voice meets the spirit of community and the legacy of Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., the result is guaranteed to be joyous and inspiring—as thousands of Living the Dream… attendees over the years can attest.

Following his show-stopping, sold-out Kennedy Center concert in 2022, Grammy-nominated singer, songwriter, producer, professor, and Howard University alum Eric Roberson returns to present an evening of love this Valentine’s Day. 

Three-time Grammy winner and Musical America’s 2023 “Artist of the Year” Hilary Hahn performs Korngold’s glamorous, glittering Violin Concerto—an extraordinary fusion of Viennese romance and Old Hollywood. Then, brace yourself for the immortal “Eroica” Symphony, Beethoven’s vast ode to heroism, revolution, and freedom.

Named one of Variety’s 10 Comics to Watch, stand-up comedian Matteo Lane performs to sold-out crowds all over the world. He has shared the stage with the likes of Chelsea Handler, Aziz Ansari, Hasan Minhaj, and Bob the Drag Queen.

An Evening with Seth MacFarlane and Liz Gillies unfolds with grandeur, blending the talents of two celebrated actors, vocalists, and longtime friends/collaborators. Join us for a night of lush, orchestral jazz duets and comedy with the National Symphony Orchestra!

As beloved on Broadway and opera stages as she is in her roles in film and on television, record-breaking six-time Tony Award winner Audra McDonald joins the NSO for an unforgettable evening of vocal beauty! Don’t miss the chance to hear her stunning renditions of Broadway classics and contemporary favorites in a staggering performance of stratospheric talent.

Following his concerts last season, The Washington Classical Review reported that an “aura of classical music celebrity hung about the Kennedy Center Concert Hall… when a capacity crowd turned out to hear the return of Seong-Jin Cho.” Now, he reunites with Noseda for a performance of Beethoven’s moving Piano Concerto No. 4.

Grammy-winning violinist Gil Shaham, proclaimed “the outstanding American violinist of his generation” by Time Magazine, brings flawless technique and spirited warmth to every note of Dvořák’s Violin Concerto—from its powerhouse opening and lyrical slow movement to the lively finale infused with Slavic cheer. Noseda closes the program with Schubert’s final Symphony No. 9, “The Great.”

Comedian and actor Vir Das has hit the global comedy mega-leagues thanks to his boundless comedic talent, wildly successful world tours, and four incredible Netflix specials. The New York Times says “no artist embodies the globalization of stand-up like Vir Das.”

NSO Music Director Gianandrea Noseda conducts the NSO in Wagner: The Ring without Words (compiled by Lorin Maazel). All the drama of Wagner’s four operas is here, told through the pure power of the orchestra.