2025 Opening Night Concert & Gala

Friday, September 19, 2025

2025 Opening Night Concert & Gala

Jesse H. Jones Hall for the Performing Arts and Corinthian Houston | Concert Followed by Seated Dinner

It’s my pleasure to invite you to the Houston Symphony’s Opening Night Concert and Gala, on Friday, September 19, 2025. This event marks the fourth season of Juraj Valčuha’s artistic leadership as Music Director and Roy and Lillie Cullen Chair, and the beginning of the 2025-26 Season, with Valčuha leading the Symphony in a stunning rendition of Stravinsky’s Firebird.

Inspired by the legend of The Firebird—a magical glowing bird from Slavic folklore—Stravinsky’s Firebird dazzles from first note to heart-pounding finale. It’s the music that made Stravinsky an overnight star, putting the world on notice that a genius had arrived. Soprano Angel Blue makes her Houston Symphony debut in Florent Schmitt’s beyond-epic Psalm 47, and kicks off this celebratory, season-opening program.

The evening begins with a champagne reception followed by the Opening Night Concert at 7:30 PM. After experiencing the magic of Firebird, you will be transported to the Corinthian Houston for the Gala, which includes an elegant, seated dinner with wines selected by Lindy & John Rydman of Spec’s Wines, Spirits & Finer Foods. Valet service will be available for all Gala guests; simply arrive at Jones Hall and depart from the Corinthian.

We are deeply grateful to ConocoPhillips, the Opening Night Concert Sponsor and Lead Corporate Gala Underwriter for the 39ᵗʰ consecutive year.

As chair of this event, I’m looking forward to celebrating the start of a new season at the Symphony with you.

Kind Regards,

Carey Kirkpatrick

2025 Opening Night Chair

Opening Night Schedule


Champagne and Hors d’Oeuvres

Registration, Champagne, and Hors d’oeuvres

6:30 P.M. | Jones Hall, Mezzanine Level

Opening Night Concert

No Late Seating

7:30 P.M. | Jones Hall

Gala Dinner

Immediately Following the Concert

Corinthian Houston

Black Tie

Complimentary Transportation Services
Valet drop off at Jones Hall Pre-Concert
Shuttle service to and valet retrieval at Corinthian Houston

Opening Night Concert Program


SCHMITT

Psalm 47

STRAVINSKY

The Firebird Suite

Artists


artistbio1

Juraj Valčuha

conductor

Anthony J. Maglione

chorus director

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Houston Symphony Chorus

chorus

Angel Blue

soprano

Betsy Cook Weber

chorus artistic director

Houston Chamber Choir

chorus

Reservation And Benefits

Gallery

Get Additional Help

For questions, please contact Stacey Swift, Director of Special Events, at stacey.swift@houstonsymphony.org or 713.337.8523.