🎻 Classical Music Festival · June 17–27, 2026 · La Jolla, San Diego
Mainly Mozart Festival 2026
38th All-Star Orchestra Festival — Six Concerts · 28 Orchestras · La Jolla
The Mainly Mozart All-Star Orchestra Festival — the largest gathering of concertmasters and principal orchestra players in North America — returns to La Jolla for its 38th season, June 17–27, 2026. Six concerts across two venues bring together principal musicians from 28 leading orchestras under Music Director Michael Francis. The first five concerts are at Baker-Baum Concert Hall at The Conrad Prebys Performing Arts Center in La Jolla; the finale is outdoors at UC San Diego's Epstein Family Amphitheater. For the first time in eight years, a single concertmaster — David Kim of The Philadelphia Orchestra — anchors every concert in the series.
⚡ Quick Facts
| Festival dates | June 17–27, 2026 |
| Main venue | Baker-Baum Concert Hall, The Conrad Prebys Performing Arts Center, La Jolla |
| Finale venue | Epstein Family Amphitheater, UC San Diego, La Jolla |
| Music Director | Michael Francis |
| Concertmaster | David Kim (The Philadelphia Orchestra) |
| Orchestras | 28 North American orchestras represented |
| Tickets (Conrad) | $68–$155 single |
| Tickets (Epstein) | $25–$250 single |
| Subscriptions | 2-, 4-, and 6-concert packages available |
| Tickets & info | mainlymozart.org/allstar · 619-239-0100 |
🎼 Full 2026 Concert Program
Opening Night: Beethoven, Mozart & Prokofiev
Wednesday, June 17 @ 7:00 PM · The Conrad
Soloist: Anne-Marie McDermott, piano
- • Mozart: Ballet Music from Idomeneo, K. 367
- • Prokofiev: Symphony No. 1 in D Major, Op. 25 (“Classical”)
- • Beethoven: Piano Concerto No. 3 in C minor, Op. 37
Pre-concert performance & conversation with pianist Anton Nel at 6:00 PM in the JAI (included with subscription).
Copland, Mozart & Beethoven's Eroica
Saturday, June 20 @ 7:00 PM · The Conrad
Soloist: John Russell, tenor
- • Copland: Appalachian Spring (complete ballet, original 13-instrument version)
- • Mozart: Bardengesang auf Gibraltar, K. Anh. 25/386d
- • Beethoven: Symphony No. 3 in E-flat Major, Op. 55 ("Eroica")
Pre-concert performance & conversation with pianist Anton Nel at 6:00 PM in the JAI.
Rodrigo, Márquez & Mendelssohn
Sunday, June 21 @ 3:00 PM · The Conrad
Soloist: Mak Grgić, guitar
- • Márquez: Danzón No. 4
- • Rodrigo: Concierto de Aranjuez
- • Mozart: Contradance, K. 535 ("La bataille"); Contradances, K. 609; Turkish March, K. 331
- • Mendelssohn: Symphony No. 4 in A Major, Op. 90 ("Italian")
Pre-concert performance & conversation with pianist Anton Nel at 2:00 PM in the JAI.
Lully, Mozart & Strauss
Tuesday, June 23 @ 7:00 PM · The Conrad
Soloist: Anton Nel, piano/harpsichord
- • Lully: Le Bourgeois gentilhomme, LWV 43
- • Mozart: Piano Concerto No. 9 in E-flat Major, K. 271 ("Jenamy")
- • Strauss: Le Bourgeois gentilhomme, Op. 60 (Suite)
Pärt, Schumann & Mozart
Thursday, June 25 @ 7:00 PM · The Conrad
Soloist: James Ehnes, violin
- • Pärt: Cantus in Memoriam Benjamin Britten
- • Schumann: Violin Concerto in D minor
- • Mozart: Symphony No. (program TBC)
Festival Finale (Outdoors)
Saturday, June 27 @ 7:00 PM · Epstein Family Amphitheater, UC San Diego
- • Full program to be announced. Outdoor venue under the La Jolla sky.
🎤 The Artists
Music Director — Michael Francis
British conductor who has led Mainly Mozart since 2014. Former double bassist with the London Symphony Orchestra, also Music Director of The Florida Orchestra and Chief Conductor of the Deutsche Staatsphilharmonie Rheinland-Pfalz.
Concertmaster — David Kim (The Philadelphia Orchestra)
For the first time in eight years, one concertmaster serves all six concerts — giving the festival a distinctive orchestral coherence across the full run.
Featured Soloists
- Anne-Marie McDermott (piano) — June 17: Beethoven Piano Concerto No. 3
- John Russell (tenor) — June 20: Mozart's Bardengesang auf Gibraltar
- Mak Grgić (guitar) — June 21: Rodrigo's Concierto de Aranjuez (four-time Grammy nominee)
- Anton Nel (piano/harpsichord) — June 23: Mozart Piano Concerto No. 9 “Jenamy”
- James Ehnes (violin) — June 25: Schumann Violin Concerto
📍 The Venues
The Conrad Prebys Performing Arts Center
Baker-Baum Concert Hall
7600 Fay Ave, La Jolla, CA 92037
Acoustically superior, intimate venue in the heart of La Jolla Village. Concerts 1–5 (June 17, 20, 21, 23, 25).
Epstein Family Amphitheater
UC San Diego — Festival Finale
9480 Innovation Ln, La Jolla, CA 92093
Outdoor amphitheater on the UCSD campus. June 27 finale. Tickets $25–$250.
🎟️ Tickets & Subscriptions
Single concert tickets at The Conrad: $68–$155
Single concert tickets at Epstein Amphitheater: $25–$250
Subscription packages (2-, 4-, and 6-concert): discounted tickets, preferred seating, and exclusive events including open rehearsal invitation.
Purchase: mainlymozart.org/allstar · Phone: 619-239-0100 · Email: boxoffice@mainlymozart.org
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Mainly Mozart Festival?
The Mainly Mozart All-Star Orchestra Festival is the largest gathering of concertmasters and principal players in North America. Held in La Jolla, San Diego since 1988, the 38th edition runs June 17–27, 2026 with six concerts under Music Director Michael Francis, featuring musicians from 28 leading orchestras.
Where is the Mainly Mozart Festival 2026?
Concerts 1–5 are at Baker-Baum Concert Hall, The Conrad Prebys Performing Arts Center, 7600 Fay Ave, La Jolla, CA 92037. The finale (June 27) is at the Epstein Family Amphitheater, UC San Diego, 9480 Innovation Ln, La Jolla.
How much are Mainly Mozart Festival tickets?
Single concert tickets at The Conrad range from $68 to $155. The outdoor finale at Epstein Amphitheater ranges from $25 to $250. Subscription packages for 2, 4, or 6 concerts are available at a discount. Purchase at mainlymozart.org/allstar or call 619-239-0100.
What is playing at Mainly Mozart on June 21?
Sunday, June 21 at 3:00 PM features guitarist Mak Grgić performing Rodrigo's Concierto de Aranjuez, alongside Márquez's Danzón No. 4, several Mozart pieces, and Mendelssohn's Symphony No. 4 (Italian). Pre-concert with Anton Nel at 2 PM (included with subscription).