Latvian National Symphony Orchestra announces Centenary Concert Series and Autumn Subscription

The Latvian National Symphony Orchestra (LNSO) will mark its 100^th anniversary in late summer and autumn 2026 with an impressive programme. Founded in 1926 as the Riga Radio Centre Orchestra, the LNSO has evolved to become a music ensemble of national significance, which, over the decades, has been bringing together outstanding orchestral musicians, conductors, and soloists to perform to wide audiences in Riga and across the country, while also promoting Latvia globally. The LNSO Centenary Concert Series will begin in early August with a concert performance of Richard Wagner’s opera Lohengrin under the baton of Tarmo Peltokoski, in collaboration with the Cēsis Art Festival and the Cēsis Concert Hall. The anniversary season will also include performances in France with the State Choir LATVIJA, major symphonic programmes, and the now-traditional LNSO Summer Festival, this year taking place at Latgale Embassy GORS. The Centenary Series will culminate on 25 October in a concert featuring the LNSO alongside opera diva Elīna Garanča and conductor Karel Mark Chichon.

“The LNSO’s centenary is not merely a reflection on the past – it is a continuous movement through time, where the orchestra’s history, present, and future converge. We have shaped the Centenary Concert Series as a musical journey that leads to Latvia’s regional concert halls and international stages alike, while bringing together distinguished artists and new creative collaborations. These concerts are our show of gratitude to listeners and a testament that, even in its 100^th year, the LNSO remains a vibrant, bold, and forward-thinking orchestra,” emphasizes LNSO General Manager Indra Lūkina".

The anniversary events will open on 8 August at 4 PM at the Cēsis Concert Hall with a concert performance of Wagner’s Lohengrin as part of the Cēsis Art Festival. The event will feature the LNSO and leading opera soloists – Finnish tenor Johan Krogius and Lithuanian soprano Vida Miknevičiūtė in the title roles – alongside the State Choir LATVIJA under the artistic direction of Tarmo Peltokoski. Tickets to the performance can be purchased at: https://www.bilesuparadize.lv/en/event/166765 

On 28 August at 7 PM, the Riga Congress Hall will host the concert LNSO, Mahler, and Walton. The orchestra will be lead by its Artistic Advisor and former long-time Music Director Andris Poga, with the solo performed by one of today’s most outstanding violinists Frank Peter Zimmermann. The programme includes William Walton’s Concerto for Violin and Orchestra and Gustav Mahler’s Seventh Symphony.

On 10 September at Riga Cathedral, in collaboration with the State Choir LATVIJA, the closing concert of the International Sacred Music Festival will be held under the direction of Māris Sirmais, featuring vocal-instrumental scores. The International Sacred Music Festival is organized by the State Choir LATVIJA; the festival programme and ticket sales will be announced separately.

On 25 September at 7 PM at the Riga Congress Hall, the concert LNSO, Baiba Skride, and Kristiina Poska will feature the LNSO and the brilliant guest artists performing Sofia Gubaidulina’s Concerto for Violin and Orchestra no. 3. The programme also includes the opus UP‑TIME by the LNSO Composer‑in‑Residence for the new season Ilona Breģe, as well as Mahler’s First Symphony. On 26 September, this programme will also be performed at the Cēsis Concert Hall.

Meanwhile, on 8 October at 7 PM at the Riga Congress Hall, the LNSO will continue its Centenary Series with Maestro Jean‑Claude Casadesus and the new season’s Artist‑in‑Residence Iveta Apkalna performing Francis Poulenc’s Concerto for Organ and Orchestra. The concert programme of LNSO, Iveta Apkalna, and Maestro Casadesus also includes Hector Berlioz’s Le carnaval romain and Camille Saint‑Saëns’ Third Symphony. Additionally, this programme will be presented on 10 October as part of the ORGANismi festival at Latgale Embassy GORS.

The LNSO will conclude its centenary celebrations on 25 October at 7 PM at the Riga Congress Hall with the concert Elīna Garanča, Karel Mark Chichon, and LNSO. Featuring opera diva Elīna Garanča and conductor Karel Mark Chichon, the programme will present Wagner’s Wesendonck Lieder, with soprano Liene Kinča and the State Choir LATVIJA joining the artists for Mahler’s Second Symphony.

A special place in the anniversary celebrations will be held by the traditional LNSO Summer Festival at Latgale Embassy GORS on 29 and 30 August.

Festival programme

Saturday, 29 August:

3 PM at the Small Hall – concert for the youngest audience members, The Very First Concert in the World;

6 PM at the Great Hall – symphonic music concert LNSO, Walton, and Mahler (performed at the Riga Congress Hall the day before);

Sunday, 30 August

2 PM at the Small Hall – chamber music concert Baroque and Tango. Chamber Music, with harpsichordist Ieva Saliete, accordionist Artūrs Noviks, flautist Maija Zandberga, bassoonist Jānis Semjonovs, violinist Sandis Šteinbergs, and double bassist Oskars Bokanovs. In the programme: music by Georg Philipp Telemann, Astor Piazzolla, and a new work by Edgars Cīrulis;

5 PM at the Great Hall – festival closing concert The Sound of Raimonds Pauls, featuring beloved Raimonds Pauls’ melodies arranged by Callum Au, Pierre Bertrand, Jēkabs Jančevskis, and Rihards Dubra. The LNSO will be joined on stage by the Latvian Radio Big Band, the State Choir LATVIJA, singers Aija Vītoliņa and Daumants Kalniņš, and pianist Matīss Žilinskis under the baton of Māris Sirmais.

Tickets to the festival concerts can be purchased separately or as part of subscriptions.

Alongside the Centenary Concert Series, the LNSO has announced the LNSO AUTUMN SUBSCRIPTION 2026, comprising four concerts in the 2026 autumn‑winter season:

Friday, 25 September, at 7 PM at the Riga Congress Hall LNSO, BAIBA SKRIDE, AND KRISTIINA POSKA

Thursday, 8 October, at 7 PM at the Riga Congress Hall

LNSO, IVETA APKALNA, AND MAESTRO CASADESUS

Friday, 27 November, at 7 PM at the Riga Congress Hall*

LNSO, BRAHMS’ FIRST CONCERTO, AND MAHLER’S FIFTH

Friday, 11 December, at 7 PM at the Riga Congress Hall*LNSO, MOZART, AND DVOŘÁK

*Individual ticket sales for these concerts to be announced in April.

The LNSO’s centenary is commemorated by a special anniversary postage stamp and a First Day Cover bearing the LNSO sound logo, originally composed by Edgars Mākens. The stamp and envelope, both designed by artist Krišs Salmanis, are available at the client centres of major cities, post offices, and the Latvijas Pasts online shop.

Tickets for the concerts of the LNSO Centenary Series and subscriptions will be available for purchase starting from 12 February at 2 PM at Biļešu paradīze ticket offices and online: https://www.bilesuparadize.lv/en/organizer/283

We invite you to follow the events of the LNSO on the orchestra’s website at https://en.lnso.lv/ and on its Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/LNSO.lv