Mainly Mozart Festival Opening Night: June 17 at The Conrad

The 38th annual Mainly Mozart All-Star Orchestra Festival opens Wednesday, June 17, 2026 at 7:00 PM at The Conrad Prebys Performing Arts Center in La Jolla. It's the largest Mozart celebration in North America, and the All-Star Orchestra brings together concertmasters and principal players from 28 of the top orchestras in the United States and Canada — including the New York Philharmonic, LA Phil, Cleveland Orchestra, San Francisco Symphony, and Toronto Symphony — for a six-concert series running through June 27.

Opening Night features Grammy-nominated pianist Anne-Marie McDermott as soloist, performing under Music Director Michael Francis, a British conductor and former London Symphony double bassist who's led Mainly Mozart since 2014.

What to Expect

Soloist: Anne-Marie McDermott, piano

Program:

• Mozart — Idomeneo: Ballet Music, K. 367
• Prokofiev — Symphony No. 1 in D Major, Op. 25 ("Classical")
• Beethoven — Piano Concerto No. 3 in C minor, Op. 37

Pre-concert performance and conversation by pianist Anton Nel and members of the All-Star Orchestra at 6:00 PM in the JAI (included with subscription tickets).

Why This Opening Night Matters

The Mainly Mozart All-Star Orchestra is structurally different from a typical visiting orchestra — it's an annual gathering of the best chair holders from across North America's elite orchestras, all performing together for one summer festival. You're hearing players who normally lead the New York Phil, LA Phil, Cleveland Orchestra, and the Atlanta, Chicago, Dallas, Philadelphia, San Francisco, and Toronto symphonies — all in one room, under one conductor.

Anne-Marie McDermott opening with Beethoven's Piano Concerto No. 3 is a substantial choice — the concerto is one of Beethoven's most dramatic and technically demanding works, marking his shift from Classical to Romantic style. Pairing it with Prokofiev's Classical Symphony (Prokofiev's playful tribute to Haydn and Mozart) makes the program a meditation on classicism across two centuries.

This is also a recognition moment for Mainly Mozart — the organization was recently welcomed into the International Mozarteum Foundation's "Mozart Communities," becoming one of just two U.S. organizations to receive that recognition.

When and Where

Wednesday, June 17, 2026 at 7:00 PM (pre-concert performance at 6:00 PM)

Location: The Conrad Prebys Performing Arts Center — 7600 Fay Avenue, La Jolla, CA 92037

The concert takes place in Baker-Baum Concert Hall, the Conrad's premier performance space.

Who It's For

• Classical music regulars who want to hear elite orchestral playing in an intimate concert hall setting
• Beethoven and Mozart fans — the festival is built around both composers as a core lineage
• Anne-Marie McDermott fans — the Grammy-nominated pianist is one of the most respected interpreters of Mozart and Beethoven concertos working today
• First-time festival attendees — Opening Night is the easiest entry point, with a high-impact program and pre-concert programming included

Pricing and Tickets

Single tickets: $68–$155

Festival packages available: 6-concert, 4-concert, and 2-concert packages. Package subscribers also receive an exclusive invitation to the open All-Star Orchestra rehearsal during the festival.

Buy tickets at mainlymozart.org/allstar →

Or call (619) 239-0100.

Good to Know

• Pre-concert event at 6:00 PM in the JAI — included with subscription tickets, free for subscribers (check with the box office if you have single tickets)
• The Conrad is in the heart of La Jolla Village — pair the concert with dinner at one of the surrounding restaurants
• Parking in La Jolla Village fills early; allow extra time, or look for the public garage on Wall Street
• Follow Mainly Mozart on Instagram for festival updates and behind-the-scenes content

For more events happening in San Diego this week, check out our full weekly events guide or browse our La Jolla neighborhood page.