collage of 4 photos; three men in white shirts, 2 wearing sun glasses, 2 wearing jackets, and on screenshot of Bugs Bunny playing the piano
Clockwise from top left: Max Richter, Herbie Hancock, Bugs Bunny, Juvenile & The 400 Degreez Band. Bugs Bunny screenshot via YouTube WB Kids channel. Photos via BSO.

The Baltimore Symphony Orchestra (BSO) is tuning up for summer with a return to Boordy Vineyards, the Meyerhoff, Strathmore, and more venues across Maryland as part of SummerFest 2026.

The two Boordy Vineyards performances are outdoor orchestra experiences, a chance to enjoy dinner and music under the stars.  On July 16 at 7 p.m., โ€œA Midsummer Night at Boordyโ€ will feature Nicholas Hersh conducting Mozartโ€™s Flout Concerto No. 1 and BSO Assistant Principal Flute Christine Murphy. That concert will also include selections from Mendelssohnโ€™s โ€œA Midsummer Nightโ€™s Dream.โ€

On July 30, โ€œA Night of Opera Favoritesโ€ will be presented in collaboration with Maryland Opera. The evening will be an exploration of European operaโ€™s storytelling tradition and its influence on American music and theater. William Langley will conduct and performers will include soprano Jouelle Roberson, tenor Dane Suarez, and baritone Andrew Manea. Selections from Verdi, Puccini, Bizet, Bernstein, and more are on the program.

Attendees are invited to arrive early, enjoy the grounds and local food vendors. Hungry patrons can choose from The Charmery, BMORE Taqueria, Deli-ish, Wanna Pizza This, Jimmyโ€™s Seafood, Smoke Point BBQ, and local oyster offerings.

The Boordy concerts are part of SummerFest 2026, the BSOโ€™s six-week lineup of performances spanning genres, filled with globally recognized artists, bringing fan-favorite experiences to the Meyerhoff and Strathmore, and keeping up tradition with Oregon Ridge summer concerts. This year, however, Oregon Ridge will have an expanded two-day Star-Spangled 250! Event on July 3 and July 4 to align with Baltimore Countyโ€™s official commemoration of Maryland 250.

Additional SummerFest highlights include an evening with Max Richter, who composed the music for โ€œHamnetโ€ and is on his world tour of โ€œThe Blue Notebooksโ€ and โ€œInย  a Landscapeโ€*; an evening with legendary jazz pianist, composer, and icon, Herbie Hancock*; Bugs Bunny at the Symphony, a family-friendly film and music experience featuring 17 classic Looney Tunes shorts; two classical programs, from the youthful brilliance of Mozart and Beethoven to an all-Rachmaninoff celebration featuring pianist Joyce Yang, and more.

*The Baltimore Symphony Orchestra does not perform on these Live at the Meyerhoff events

โ€œSummerFest is about creating opportunities for people to experience excellent symphonic music in a relaxed environment,โ€ said Mark C. Hanson, president and CEO of the BSO. โ€œWhether your backdrop is the lawn at Boordy, the rolling hills of Oregon Ridge, or our beautiful concert halls at the Meyerhoff or Strathmore, these programs are designed to be welcoming, engaging, and shared with friends and family.โ€

SummerFest 2026 runs June 14 through August 14. Performances and venues include:

Max Richter with the American Contemporary Music Ensemble
June 14 | Meyerhoff
(Note: the BSO does not appear on this program)

Star-Spangled 250! at Oregon Ridge
July 3 & 4 | Oregon Ridge Park
Jonathon Heyward, conductor
โ€œO, Say Can You Sing?โ€ vocal competition winners
Fireworks, special guests, and more

Lea Salonga with the BSO
July 8 | Meyerhoff
Evan Roider, conductor

Brilliant Beginnings: Mozart and Beethoven
July 11 & 12 | Meyerhoff & Strathmore
Jiannan Cheng, conductor
Juho Pohjonen, piano

A Midsummer Night at Boordy
July 16| Boordy Vineyards
Nicholas Hersh, conductor

Warner Bros. Discovery Presents: Bugs Bunny at the Symphony
July 18 &19 | Meyerhoff
George Daugherty, conductor

Cody Fry with the BSO
July 22 | Meyerhoff

Rachmaninoffโ€™s Rhapsody on a Theme of Paganini
July 24 & 25 | Meyerhoff & Strathmore
Lidiya Yankovskaya, conductor
Joyce Yang, piano

Herbie Hancock
July 28 | Meyerhoff
(Note: the BSO does not appear on this program)

A Night of Opera Favorites
July 30 | Boordy Vineyards
William R. Langley, conductor
Jouelle Roberson, vocalist
Dane Suarez, vocalist
Andrew Manea, vocalist

John Williams & Steven Spielberg: Movie Magic
July 31 & August 1 | Meyerhoff & Strathmore
Steven Reineke, conductor

UB40 featuring Ali Campbell
August 5 | Meyerhoff
(Note: the BSO does not appear on this program)

Windborneโ€™s Music of Journey
August 8 | Meyerhoff
Brent Havens, conductor
Juan Del Castillo, vocalist

Juvenile & The 400 Degreez Band
August 14 | Meyerhoff
(Note: the BSO does not appear on this program)

Tickets for Boordy Vineyards performances and the full BSO SummerFest season are available on the BSOโ€™s website.

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