NEW ORLEANS – This year’s Crescent City Chamber Music Festival team promises to provide relief and renewed inspiration with seven free public concerts, from Oct. 15–25 in New Orleans, that embrace the theme, “Music That Cuts Through the Noise.” Audiences are invited to experience the beauty and authenticity of live chamber music performed by celebrated artists from across the world, performing alongside members of the Louisiana Philharmonic Orchestra.
In its 11th season, the 2026 Festival showcases a dynamic lineup of returning favorites and exciting guest artists, including the Manhattan Chamber Players, Grammy Award-winning clarinetist Mark Dover, internationally celebrated bandoneonist and composer JP Jofre, and acclaimed conductor Joshua Gersen. Concerts will feature masterpieces by Britten, Tchaikovsky, Dvořák, Brahms, Ravel, Copland, Shostakovich, Turina and more, performed in some of New Orleans’ most beautiful and historic venues.
“The selections performed at this year’ s Crescent City Chamber Music Festival offer a refuge from cell phones, social media, and Artificial Intelligence,” said Luke Fleming, founder and artistic director, Crescent City Chamber Music Festival. “Today’s technology cannot replicate the authenticity of a Classical music concert performed by brilliant artists, one that moves audiences at a particular moment, in a particular setting. People are surrounded by so much digital heaviness and artificiality in these often suffocating times, that I believe they will find our concerts to transport them to a place of not only peace and serenity, but also excitement and renewed inspiration. This year’s theme, “Music That Cuts Through the Noise,” celebrates the pure and meaningful experience of appreciating beautiful music, free of distractions.”
Now entering its second decade, the Crescent City Chamber Music Festival continues its mission of making world-class chamber music accessible to everyone—free of charge. Thanks to the generosity of individual supporters throughout the New Orleans community, along with grants from the New Orleans Theatre Association and the Mike and Lynn Coatney Family Foundation, the Festival has become one of the city’s premier cultural events, bringing nationally recognized guest artists together with exceptional local musicians, including members of the Louisiana Philharmonic Orchestra. Since its founding in 2016, CCCMF has welcomed thousands of audience members while remaining committed to artistic excellence and community engagement.
Community outreach continues to be an integral part of the Festival’s mission. In addition to its seven Free Public Concerts, Festival artists will once again perform educational and community concerts throughout Greater New Orleans at schools, hospitals, retirement communities, and other nonprofit organizations, continuing a tradition that has brought hundreds of live performances to audiences beyond the concert hall.
2026 CONCERT SCHEDULE
For the complete 2026 Festival schedule and additional information, visit: crescentcitychambermusicfestival.com
Note: Informal Pre-Concert Talks and Q&A with Founding Artistic Director Luke Fleming will be held 30 minutes prior to each performance (except the Urban South Brewery concert).
Free Public Concert No. 1
Thursday, Oct. 15 • 7 p.m.
Trinity Episcopal Church
1329 Jackson Ave.
New Orleans, LA 70130
11th Season Opening Night Concert
Benjamin Britten’s Simple Symphony and Lachrymae, and Tchaikovsky’s Serenade for Strings, featuring the Manhattan Chamber Players and members of the Louisiana Philharmonic Orchestra, conducted by Joshua Gersen.
Free Public Concert No. 2
Friday, Oct. 16 • 7 p.m.
Recital Hall, LSUNO Performing Arts Center
2000 Lakeshore Dr.
New Orleans, LA 70148
Internationally acclaimed Argentinian bandoneonist and composer JP Jofre joins members of the Manhattan Chamber Players for an evening of tango-inspired chamber music.
Free Public Concert No. 3
Sunday, Oct. 18 • 4 p.m.
St. Charles Avenue Presbyterian Church
1545 State St.
New Orleans, LA 70118
A Celebration of Strings – Dvořák’s String Quintet and Tchaikovsky’s Souvenir de Florence . Performed by the Manhattan Chamber Players.
Free Public Concert No. 4
Tuesday, Oct. 20 • 7 p.m.
Urban South Brewery
1645 Tchoupitoulas St.
New Orleans, LA 70130
CCCMF’s popular brewery concert featuring classical music paired with bespoke beer flights in a relaxed, informal atmosphere.
Free Public Concert No. 5
Wednesday, Oct. 21 • 7 p.m.
Recital Hall, LSUNO Performing Arts Center
2000 Lakeshore Drive
New Orleans, LA 70148
Grammy Award-winning clarinetist Mark Dover joins members of the Manhattan Chamber Players and Festival Artists in his own specially curated chamber music program.
Free Public Concert No. 6
Friday, Oct. 23 • 7 p.m.
Dixon Concert Hall, Tulane University
68 Newcomb Circle
New Orleans, LA 70118
The Romantic Era – Music by Shostakovich, Turina, and Brahms, performed by the Manhattan Chamber Players.
Free Public Concert No. 7
Sunday, Oct. 25 • 4 p.m.
Rayne Memorial United Methodist Church
3900 St. Charles Ave.
New Orleans, LA 70115
11th Season Finale Concert – Ravel’s dazzling Tzigane, vocal chamber music by Bridge, Chausson, and Respigni, and Copland’s transcendent Appalachian Spring, performed by the Manhattan Chamber Players.