Beethoven's Symphony No. 9

Kwamé Ryan conducts Beethoven's Symphony No. 9 at the Belk Theater on Friday, February 26, and Saturday, February 27, 2027, both at 7:30 PM. It's the Charlotte Symphony Orchestra on the program, and they're taking on one of the biggest pieces in the classical repertoire. The Ninth is the one with the choir and the soloists, the one that builds toward that famous finale—the "Ode to Joy"—so it's a full-stage affair rather than a chamber ensemble.

Ryan is in his third season as Music Director of the Charlotte Symphony, and this is one of the heavy-lifting programs of the year. He's a Grammy Award-winning conductor with a bit of a global map behind him: born in Canada, educated in Trinidad and Tobago and the UK, and having spent years leading houses in Europe. He served as General Music Director of Freiburg Opera from 1999 to 2003 and as Musical and Artistic Director of the Orchestre National Bordeaux-Aquitaine from 2007 to 2013. He's also been named a Knight in the French State's Order of Arts and Letters.

His recent work has leaned into opera as much as the concert hall. Under his direction, Houston Grand Opera's recording of Jake Heggie's Intelligence won the 2026 Grammy Award for Best Opera Recording. This 2026-27 season also marks his debuts with the Los Angeles Philharmonic and the Milwaukee Symphony, so he's stepping onto some of the biggest stages in the country this year.

These performances are part of the orchestra's Classical Series, and since there are two nights, you've got a choice of when to catch it. Both are at the Belk Theater in Charlotte, starting at 7:30 PM on Friday, February 26, and Saturday, February 27.