The San Diego Symphony has announced that in the spring of 2027, it will embark on its first-ever tour of Europe. Over the course of nine days, the orchestra is set to play five concerts in some of Europe’s most prestigious venues, under its Music and Artistic Director Rafael Payare.
The tour has been sponsored by the longstanding San Diego Symphony philanthropists Jean and Gary Shekhter, alongside Una Davis, Ross Caleca and Hayley Janecek, Dorothea Laub, Jaqueline and Jean-Luc Robert, and Laurie Sefton Henson.
The tour includes performances in venues such as Barcelona’s UNESCO World Heritage-listed Palau de la Música Catalana, Hamburg’s Elbphilharmonie, and Dublin’s National Concert Hall, as well as at Toulouse’s historic La Halle aux Grains and Paris’ acclaimed La Seine Musicale.
The programs feature Kauyumari by Gabriela Ortiz, the Symphonic Dances from West Side Story by Leonard Bernstein, the Suite from The Miraculous Mandarin Suite by Béla Bartók, and Igor Stravinsky’s Firebird Suite.
In addition, Spanish pianist Javier Perianes will perform Robert Schumann’s Piano Concerto, and violinist Leonidas Kavakos will perform Shostakovich’s Violin Concerto No. 1.
You can view the full schedule of concerts for the tour here.
“Having traveled extensively around the world to hear the best orchestras and classical musicians of our time, we know how important it is for an orchestra to take this step and be heard by audiences across Europe,” says Jean and Gary Shekhter. “We are proud of the artistic accomplishments of the San Diego Symphony Orchestra, and it is an honor to be part of such a landmark occasion for San Diego.”
“We are so grateful to all of our supporters who have helped bring this ambitious project to life,” says Martha Gilmer, San Diego Symphony President and CEO. “Together, their early support has laid the foundation for an initiative that will have lasting artistic impact.”