The 47th season of Lincoln Center’s acclaimed Mostly Mozart Festival opens on July 27 with a free preview and continues through August 24. This year’s program traces the musical lineage between Mozart and Beethoven, with several concerts featuring works by both composers.
More than 50 events are scheduled across the summer. Highlights include the return of the Budapest Festival Orchestra for three performances of Mozart’s comic opera Le nozze di Figaro on August 11, 13 and 15. Alongside concerts and opera, the season offers pre-concert lectures and recitals, premieres of notable new works, and a screening of director Phil Grabsky’s film In Search of Beethoven. The festival also features six late-night candlelight concerts in the intimate Stanley H. Kaplan Penthouse, including performances by the Calder Quartet on August 3 and the Leipzig String Quartet on August 6.
Audiences can expect a mix of familiar masterworks and fresh programming that highlights the connections between 18th- and 19th-century classical traditions. The festival’s schedule provides options for both longtime patrons and newcomers, offering chamber music, orchestral performances, opera, and special events designed to deepen appreciation for Mozart, Beethoven, and their artistic legacy.
Pre-concert talks and recitals add context to the performances, while premieres introduce contemporary voices alongside the classical repertoire. The intimate late-night series creates an up-close listening experience, making it an attractive complement to the larger-scale productions in the main venues. Overall, the Mostly Mozart Festival’s 47th season promises a thoughtfully curated summer of music that honors tradition while engaging with new perspectives.