The 2025 San Diego Mainly Mozart Festival is poised to be an extraordinary showcase of classical music, drawing together both seasoned enthusiasts and newcomers alike.
The festival is particularly celebrated for its deep focus on Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart’s works while delving into the broader reach and lasting influence he has had across various genres and time periods within the classical tradition.
At the core of the festival is the Mainly Mozart Festival Orchestra, a distinguished assembly of musicians from premier orchestras across North America, gathering every June to deliver unparalleled performances.
The festival kicks off on Wednesday, June 18, at The Conrad Prebys Performing Arts Center, often referred to as The Conrad.
The opening concert features an exciting program that includes Mozart’s Serenade in C, Antonio Vivaldi’s The Four Seasons, and Astor Piazzolla’s The Four Seasons of Buenos Aires.
This concert will uniquely showcase eight seasons performed by various concertmasters from the festival orchestra’s impressive roster, including San Diego native Jeff Thayer as one of the violin soloists.
On Friday, June 20, the festival returns to The Conrad for an engaging lineup that features Mozart’s Serenade No. 6 in D Major, Richard Strauss’s Duet Concertino for Clarinet and Bassoon, and concludes with Ludwig van Beethoven’s Symphony No. 2.
Concertgoers can expect to experience the charm and wit inherent to Mozart’s serenade; the Strauss piece is described as lyrical and introspective, while Beethoven’s symphony promises an electrifying impact in the intimate Baker-Baum concert hall.
The festival then shifts to the UC San Diego Epstein Family Amphitheater on Saturday, June 21, where audiences will be treated to incredible performances.
The program opens with Edward Elgar’s Introduction and Allegro for Strings, followed by Mozart’s seminal Symphony No. 40, and Camille Saint-Saëns’ Piano Concerto No. 2, with acclaimed pianist Joyce Yang taking on the solo.
After another visit to The Conrad on Tuesday, June 24, the evening concert titled “Baroque Brilliance” will bring audiences a program that intriguingly blends different styles.
Beginning with Igor Stravinsky’s neo-classical Concerto in E-flat, the concert transitions into Baroque staples with J. S. Bach’s Brandenburg Concertos Nos. 2 & 5 before concluding with Mozart’s Symphony No. 35 “Haffner.”
Like Beethoven’s Symphony No. 2, the Haffner Symphony is expected to shine brightly within the confines of the venue.
The festival culminates at The Conrad on Thursday, June 26, with a concert featuring Mozart’s Overture to The Abduction from the Seraglio, followed by A Klezmer Concerto composed by Noah Bendix-Balgley.
The evening closes with a stirring performance of Felix Mendelssohn’s Symphony No. 5, a significant work that will resonate powerfully in the intimate concert hall setting.
Finally, the festival will conclude back at the UC San Diego Epstein Family Amphitheater on Saturday, June 28, beginning with Mozart’s Overture to Cosi fan Tutte, followed by Beethoven’s renowned Triple Concerto and Symphony No. 7.
All concerts throughout the festival will be conducted by Mainly Mozart Music Director Michael Francis, ensuring a captivating experience for everyone in attendance.
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