2026 May Festival - An Eclectic Opening Night
Schedule
Fri, 15 May, 2026 at 07:30 pm
UTC-04:00Location
Cincinnati Music Hall | Cincinnati, OH
Advertisement
Join us for an unforgettable opening night of the May Festival!Bruckner’s Psalm 150 sets the tone with a fanfare of voices, then anchored by the words of Langston Hughes and fellow Harlem Renaissance poets, the evening traverses spiritual depths, culminating in a work of the May Festival’s own curation — the “Eclectic Mass” — a collection of pieces from the sacred music tradition, including a vibrant new Sanctus from Grammy-nominated composer, Carlos Simon. Combined, this concert is a powerful celebration of music from across centuries and genres, reflecting the Festival’s storied past while boldly stepping into its future.
ARTISTS
Cristian Măcelaru, conductor
Julia Bullock, soprano
Sankara Harouna, baritone
Norman Garrett. baritone
Carlos Simon, hammond organ
Jason Alexander Holmes, preacher
May Festival Chorus
Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra
PROGRAM
Anton Bruckner: Psalm 150
Alexander von Zemlinsky: Selections from "Symphonische Gesänge"
Margaret Bonds: Selected Songs & Songs from "Songs of the Season"
-To a Brown Girl Dead
-Negro Speak of Rivers
-Poème d’Automne from "Songs of the Season"
-Winter Moon from "Songs of the Season"
-April Rain
ECLECTIC MASS
-Selections from:
Carlos Simon: "Good News Mass" and Sanctus
Giovanni Pierluigi de Palestrina: "Missa Assumpta est Maria"
Johann Sebastian Bach: Cantata No. 191
Margaret Bonds: Credo
George Frideric Handel arr. Mounsey: “Soulful Hallelujah”
PRE-CONCERT PERFORMANCE
6:15PM-7:15PM
Music Hall Foyer/Balcony Well
Kings High School Choir
PRE-CONCERT TALK
6:30PM-7PM
Corbett Tower
Jason Alexander Holmes & Carlos Simon
Advertisement
Where is it happening?
Cincinnati Music Hall, 1243 Elm St, Cincinnati, OH 45202-7531, United StatesEvent Location & Nearby Stays:
Know what’s Happening Next — before everyone else does.
