Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra announces 2024-25 season

In debut season as ISO Music Director, Jun Märkl conducts six programs in the IU Health Plans Classical Series 

Former Music Director Mario Venzago returns to conduct Opening Night Gala featuring pianist Conrad Tao 

Printing Partners Pops Series led by Principal Pops Conductor Jack Everly features the return of Pink Martini, Time for Three, and more 

Film Series presented by Bank of America brings beloved favorites Elf, The Lion King, and Back to the Future—all live in concert 

Subscriptions on sale starting February 20, 2024! 

INDIANAPOLIS—Fresh from announcing Jun Märkl as the orchestra’s eighth music director last month, the Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra shares an exciting line-up for the 2024–25 season. The new season, beginning in September 2024, features eight debut artists and conductors, the return of former ISO Music Director Mario Venzago conducting Opening Night Gala, blockbuster names from the worlds of Classical and Pops, and so much more.  Subscriptions are available starting Feb. 20, 2024, at IndianapolisSymphony.org or by calling the Box Office at 317-639-4300. See the full season lineup here. 

NEW FOR THE 2024-25 SEASON! All Friday evening Classical and Friday/Saturday Pops programs will begin at 7:00 p.m. starting in September 2024. Saturday Classical concert start times will remain at 5:30 p.m. 

Music Director Jun Märkl will conduct six IU Health Plans Classical Series programs during the 2024–25 season, including Beethoven Symphony No. 7 (Jan. 16–18, 2025), Bartók Concerto for Orchestra (Jan. 24–25, 2025), Strauss Ein Heldenleben (April 25–26, 2025), Mahler’s Symphony No. 4 (May 1–3, 2025), Berlioz Symphonie Fantastique (June 13–14, 2025) and the season finale featuring Beethoven’s soaring Symphony No. 9 (June 20–21, 2025).

The 2024 Opening Night Gala endowed by Christel DeHaan unites the ISO’s sixth music director, Mario Venzago, with pianist Conrad Tao, a musician and composer hailed as a leader of the new generation of classical musicians, who will perform Rachmaninoff’s Rhapsody on a Theme of Paganini. This incredible combination of talent celebrates the beginning of the 2024–25 season on September 28, 2024. Tickets may be purchased starting Feb. 20 as a subscription add-on or on July 22, 2024, when single tickets go on sale to the public.

The IU Health Plans Classical Series offers delightful musical explorations with world-renowned guest artists and conductors, including pianists George Li, Dejan Lazić, Awadagin Pratt, and Joyce Yang, violinists Paul Huang, Geneva Lewis, and more. The coming season also showcases the talent of ISO musicians, including Concertmaster Kevin Lin, Austin Huntington (principal cello), Jennifer Christen (principal oboe), Ivy Ringel (principal bassoon), and Ju-Fang Liu, (principal double bass). 

“The ISO is incredibly fortunate to have such talented musicians perform on stage every week. I am delighted to highlight their remarkable skills in solo performances during the 2024–25 season,” said Music Director Jun Märkl. 

Led by Principal Pops Conductor Jack Everly, the 2024–25 Printing Partners Pops Series includes Broadway star Ashley Brown Sept. 20–21; the 100th anniversary of Rhapsody in Blue Oct. 11–12; La Vida Loca featuring Latin pops hits of the 1990s and 2000s with Maestro Enrico Lopez-Yañez on Nov. 8–9; Norm Lewis Jan. 10–11; Capathia Jenkins Feb. 7–8; Pink Martini March 14–15; Time For Three May 9–10; and a special concert featuring both Maestro Everly and Maestro Lopez-Yañez on June 6–7.

Maestro Jack Everly leads the 38th annual AES Indiana Yuletide Celebration December 6–23, 2024, for a magical holiday production featuring Broadway-level singers and dancers, dazzling choreography, and stunning costumes. 2024 host announcement to come this spring! 

Conductor and composer Steve Hackman returns to bring his popular Uncharted Series to Hilbert Circle Theatre. The Uncharted Series offers Indianapolis music fans new avenues into classical music, beginning with the all-new work Bohemian Rhapsody in Blue on Sept. 18, followed by Bartók X Björk on Feb. 19, and the returning favorite Tchaikovsky X Drake on Feb. 19. 

IU Health Plans Classical Series highlights:  

• For ISO’s Opening Night Gala Sept. 28, the ISO’s sixth music director, Mario Venzago and pianist Conrad Tao—a musician and composer hailed as a leader of the new generation of classical music—will perform Rachmaninoff’s Rhapsody on a Theme of Paganini.
• Oct. 18–19: Celebrate love and friendship with ISO subscription debut appearances by conductor Gemma New and violinist Geneva Lewis for Tchaikovsky’s only Violin Concerto. Also featuring Elgar’s well-known Enigma Variations.
• Oct. 25–26: Superstar American pianist George Li returns to perform Beethoven’s brilliant “Emperor” Concerto following his triumphant ISO debut. Fabien Gabel conducts the revolutionary Prelude to Wagner’s Tristan and Isolde on this German-themed program.
• Jan. 16–18, 2025: The ISO welcomes Jun Märkl to the podium in his first official appearance as the ISO’s eighth Music Director. Hear why Wagner called Beethoven’s boisterous, toe-tapping 7th Symphony the “Apotheosis of the Dance.” Move to the music of Johann Strauss’s majestic Emperor Waltz and the Spanish rhythms of Manual de Falla’s ballet, The Three-Cornered Hat.

• Feb. 28–Mar. 1, 2025: Conductor Valentina Peleggi makes her ISO debut and transports us into a Middle Eastern fairy tale with Rimsky-Korsakov’s exotic Scheherazade. Pianist Joyce Yang dazzles in Prokofiev’s sparkling 3rd Piano Concerto.

• May 29–May 31, 2025: Conquer fate with the ISO as we welcome back conductor David Danzmayr for a program that features ISO Principal Bass Ju-Fang Liu. Enjoy a newly commissioned concerto for double bass by former ISO Principal Trombonist James Beckel. The program concludes with Tchaikovsky’s triumphant and ever popular 5th Symphony.
• June 13–14, 2025: The ISO winds shine bright as Maestro Märkl leads this colorful set of works. The program opens with Ravel’s take on the vibrant dance rhythms of Spain. ISO principal oboe Jennifer Christen and principal bassoon Ivy Ringel team up to perform a new double concerto by Indianapolis-based composer Hanna Benn. Berlioz invites us into his wildest dreams in his psychedelic love letter, Symphonie fantastique.
• June 20–21, 2025: Join the ISO with Maestro Märkl and the Indianapolis Symphonic Choir as we dare to dream of peace. Beethoven’s 9th Symphony stands as humanity’s greatest monument to universal love. The Indianapolis Symphonic Choir opens this program with Schoenberg’s contemplative plea for world harmony, Peace on Earth.

Printing Partners Pops Series highlights:  

• Broadway leading lady Ashley Brown returns to the ISO Sept. 20–21 with her powerhouse vocals and charismatic performances in an ode to her illustrious career on the stage.
• The ISO will honor George Gershwin, one of the greatest names in American popular songwriting, Oct. 11–12 with the 100th anniversary of Rhapsody in Blue, performed by pianist extraordinaire Stewart Goodyear. Joining Goodyear is Broadway vocalist Allison Blackwell.
• Emmy, Grammy, Tony, and SAG Award-nominee Norm Lewis takes the stage with Jack Everly and the ISO Jan. 10–12, 2025.
• Capathia Jenkins brings her powerhouse voice and stunning presence to her new show, She’s Got Soul, featuring the greatest hits of soul and R&B, Feb. 7–8, 2025.
• Pink Martini featuring China Forbes: 30th Anniversary Tour with their genre-blurring performance featuring a blend of jazz, world music, ‘40s-’50s pop, and more is taking place Mar. 14–15, 2025.
• Time For Three returns May 9–10, 2025. As former ISO artists-in-residence, they reunite with conductor Jack Everly and the ISO to present a show that merges classical, Americana, and singer-songwriter styles and pushes the creative boundaries of sound.

Film Series presented by Bank of America: 

• The Film Series presented by Bank of America features Elf in Concert, Nov. 16–17. Experience the much-loved Elf movie projected on an expansive screen, while the ISO masterfully performs John Debney’s wonderful score.
• The Film Series presented by Bank of America also includes the beloved Lion King in Concert, Feb. 22–23. Relive this animated film on the big screen as the ISO performs Hans Zimmer’s Oscar®-winning musical score live to picture!
• The Film Series presented by Bank of America wraps up April 12–13 with Back to the Future in Concert. Fans old and new will experience the thrill of Back to the Future on a large screen above the stage as the ISO performs Alan Silvestri’s dazzling musical score live in sync with the movie. Audiences will also be in for an exclusive treat: approximately 20 minutes of music added by Silvestri to the film’s score for these unique live orchestra presentations.

The ISO is honored to welcome a host of new and returning guest artists and conductors, including:
 

Unheard Voices
Through the Unheard Voices initiative, the ISO continues to highlight the works of composers who deserve more intentional recognition in classical music. The 2024–25 season features works by brilliant composers from the past and present, including Jennifer Higdon (b. 1962), Elena Firsova (b. 1950), Gabriela Lena Frank (b. 1972), Samuel Coleridge-Taylor (1875-1912), Julia Wolfe (b. 1958), Anna Clyne (b. 1980), Julia Perry (1924-1979), and Hanna Benn (b. 1987). 

ISO Subscriptions—Best Value

Subscriptions are the best way to experience the ISO, offering the greatest value and the most benefits. For the IU Health Plans Classical Series, patrons who subscribe to the full 16-concert package can receive up to a 40% savings over the cost of purchasing a single ticket. For the Printing Partners Pops Series, patrons who subscribe to the eight-concert series receive the equivalent of a 25% savings over the cost of a single ticket purchase. 

ISO Subscriptions—on sale February 20, 2024 

Patrons may renew current subscriptions or become a new subscriber beginning February 20 by visiting the ISO’s website at IndianapolisSymphony.org, by phone at 317-639-4300, by mail, or in person at the Hilbert Circle Theatre Box Office. The deadline for subscription renewal is March 18, 2024. 

Among many of the benefits of becoming an ISO subscriber is advance ticket buying opportunities for and discounts to special events such as Opening Night Gala and the annual holiday tradition, AES Indiana Yuletide Celebration, and Kroger Symphony on the Prairie. Subscriber benefits include discounted tickets to Classical and Pops concerts and an opportunity to purchase a pre-paid season parking pass to Express Park Garage, located at 20 N. Pennsylvania. 

For more information about all Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra presentations, visit IndianapolisSymphony.org or call the Hilbert Circle Theatre Box Office at 317-639-4300.

About the Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra
The Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra, at home and thriving in the heart of Indianapolis, offers an exceptional artistic and musical experience. The orchestra is open to all and dedicated to creating an inclusive and innovative experiential environment that is inspiring, educational, and welcoming. The ISO celebrates historically beloved performances while engaging audiences by introducing new voices through programming including the IU Health Plans Classical Series, the Printing Partners Pops Series, the holiday traditions of AES Indiana Yuletide Celebration, and the popular Film Series presented by Bank of America. For more information, visit www.indianapolissymphony.org.