2026 May Festival - An Eclectic Opening Night

Fri, 15 May, 2026 at 07:30 pm UTC-04:00

Cincinnati Music Hall | Cincinnati

The May Festival
Publisher/HostThe May Festival
2026 May Festival - An Eclectic Opening Night
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
Jason Alexander Holmes, preacher
Carlos Simon, hammond organ
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”
Advertisement

Event Venue & Nearby Stays

Cincinnati Music Hall, 1243 Elm St, Cincinnati, OH 45202-7531, United States

Tickets
Icon
Concerts, fests, parties, meetups - all the happenings, one place.

Ask AI if this event suits you:

More Events in Cincinnati

Brad Mehldau Trio with Felix Moseholm & Jorge Rossy
Thu, 14 May at 08:00 pm Brad Mehldau Trio with Felix Moseholm & Jorge Rossy

Memorial Hall OTR

2026 May Festival - The Water's Journey
Sat, 16 May at 07:30 pm 2026 May Festival - The Water's Journey

Cincinnati Music Hall

David Sedaris
Sun, 17 May David Sedaris

Procter & Gamble Hall at Aronoff Center

An Evening with David Sedaris at Aronoff Center - Procter and Gamble Hall
Mon, 18 May An Evening with David Sedaris at Aronoff Center - Procter and Gamble Hall

Aronoff Center - Procter and Gamble Hall

Emma - The Play (Preview Night)
Tue, 19 May at 07:00 pm Emma - The Play (Preview Night)

The Otto M. Budig Theater

Emma - The Play (Preview Peformance)
Wed, 20 May at 07:00 pm Emma - The Play (Preview Peformance)

The Otto M. Budig Theater

Hardy
Wed, 20 May at 07:00 pm Hardy

Riverbend Music Center

Cincinnati is Happening!

Never miss your favorite happenings again!

Explore Cincinnati Events