Intro

SEASON FINALE PROGRAM CHANGE DUE TO RENÉE FLEMINGʻS ILLNESS

We are pleased to welcome acclaimed violinist Simone Porter is returning, after dazzling artists with her Sibelius concert in November 2023, as our featured soloist for Max Bruch's Violin Concerto No. 1 in G Minor, one of the most beloved works in the violin repertoire.

Recognized for her passionate artistry, interpretive depth, and vibrant stage presence, Simone Porter has appeared with many of the world's leading orchestras, including the New York Philharmonic, Philadelphia Orchestra, Los Angeles Philharmonic, Seattle Symphony, and Pittsburgh Symphony. A recipient of the prestigious Avery Fisher Career Grant, Porter continues to captivate audiences around the globe with performances that combine technical brilliance and emotional connection.

This unforgettable season finale program brings together a new Hawaiʻi-inspired work, one of classical musicʻs most cherished violin concertos, and Holst's The Planets, one the 20th Century’s great orchestral showpieces, is the perfect vehicle to honour and showcase Hawai’i’s own spectacular orchestra. 

Ticket holders: We invite you to join us in the auditorium at 3:00 PM for a special pre-concert talk.

Conductor’s Circle Sponsors

Ken Robbins and Margery Bronster

CONCERT SPONSOR

Masterworks Series Sponsor

Season Sponsor

*Tickets for this concert are sold online or through the HSO Box Office. For additional information, please call the HSO Box Office at (808) 380-7720, T-F between 10 am - 2 pm.

Dear Patrons of the Hawaiʻi Symphony Orchestra,  

We write to you with the news we know will be disappointing, and we want you to hear it from us directly. Renée Fleming has been advised by her medical team to rest and will be unable to perform at Sundayʻs Season Finale due to illness. We send her our warmest wishes for a full and swift recovery, and we hope to welcome her to our stage in the future. We are deeply grateful for your understanding and your loyalty to this orchestra. 

 A Message from Renée Fleming's team: Renée Fleming regrets that illness is preventing her from travelling to Hawaiʻi to sing with the Hawaiʻi Symphony Orchestra. She looks forward to rescheduling this special concert at a later date. 

A Message from Music & Artistic Director Dane Lam:

 "What kind of HSO season finale does our community deserve?" This was at the front of my mind when I learnt that Renée Fleming was unable to join us in Hawai'i for this weekend's concert. And so, the entire artistic team sprang into action to craft a program befitting this brilliant orchestra in this most special of communities. I am so grateful to Simone Porter for agreeing to join us at such short notice. Simone was last with us very early in my tenure as Music Director, when she gave an unforgettable rendition of the Sibelius Violin Concerto.

On Sunday she'll play an evergreen of the violin repertoire - the Bruch Concerto - in what will surely be another incandescent performance.  We're also treated to a world premiere from our Composer in Residence, Michael-Thomas Foumai. 'Āina Hānau is Michael's collaboration with Hawai'i's own former Poet Laureate and friend of the orchestra, Brandy Nālani McDougall, in this homage to Mauna Kea, a marriage of words and music that is uniquely Hawai'i.  Of course, the Hawai'i Symphony Orchestra - the orchestra for all of Hawai'i - is comprised of 84 world class musicians and soloists in their own right. And what better opportunity to showcase the talent we have residing, performing and teaching here than Holst's The Planets. More than a vivid musical depiction of the planets,  this piece for huge orchestra allows each of our musicians to shine as individuals and as the mighty orchestra we all know and love. 

Our HSO Season Finale turns mere grapes into the ultimate Premier Cru! Join me and the HSO 'ohana to celebrate the successes of the past year as we look to the future of this great orchestra for this great state." -Dane Lam, Music & Artistic Director   

Your tickets remain valid. We look forward to seeing you Sunday. 

For questions, please contact our office at: info@hawaiisymphonyorchestra.org or (808)-380-7724.

Mahalo for your continued support. 

With gratitude,

Amy Iwano

CEO & PRESIDENT

Intro

Experience the enchanting sounds that inspired White Lotus and Classic Exotica at the unforgettable HapaSymphony finale! Join Waitiki 7—a captivating fusion of Waikiki and Tiki—as they partner with Music and Artistic Director Dane Lam and your Hawaiʻi Symphony Orchestra for an extraordinary evening that celebrates mid-century Exotica music. Inspired by legendary figures such as Les Baxter, Martin Denny, Arthur Lyman, Gene Rains, and Robert Drasnin from the late 1950s and 1960s, Waitiki 7 is dedicated to recreating the timeless Tiki sound, ambiance, and sheer joy that defined an era.

Concert Sponsor

HAPASYMPHONY Series Sponsor

Season Sponsor

*Tickets for this concert are sold online or through the HSO Box Office. For additional information, please call the HSO Box Office at (808) 380-7720, T-F between 10 am - 2 pm.

Intro

Praised for his “brilliant technique and real emotional depth” by the Washington Post, Polish-American pianist Adam Golka performs Mozart’s Piano Concerto No. 23. Conductor Emeritus JoAnn Falletta returns to conduct a program of classical delights, including Michael Torke’s speed fueled Javelin, and Dvořák Symphony No. 6.

Ticket holders: We invite you to join us in the auditorium at 3:00 PM for a special pre-concert talk.

CONDUCTOR’S CIRCLE SPONSORS

Ken Robbins & Margery Bronster

Masterworks Series Sponsor

Season Sponsors

*Tickets for this concert are sold online or through the HSO Box Office. For additional information, please call the HSO Box Office at (808) 380-7720, T-F between 10 am - 2 pm.

Intro

By popular demand, Hawaiʻi’s Favorite Entertainer, Johnny Valentine, returns for a special one-night-only Hapa Mama Celebration. Celebrate Mother’s Day early and treat mom to a night out with an unforgettable tribute that only Johnny can deliver! Composer-in-Residence Michael-Thomas Foumai conduct your Hawaiʻi Symphony Orchestra for a mother-of-all HapaSymphony performance, featuring covers and original songs from Johnny's "Mom's I Love Forever" playlist!

Conductor’s circle sponsors

Marilyn Katzman and Ginny Tiu

hapasymphony Series Sponsors

Season Sponsor

*Tickets for this concert are sold online or through the HSO Box Office. For additional information, please call the HSO Box Office at (808) 380-7720, T-F between 10 am - 2 pm.

Intro

In celebration of the 50th Anniversary of Hōkūleʻa's maiden voyage to Tahiti, the Hawaiʻi Symphony Orchestra joins forces with conductor Francesco Lecce-Chong, the Oʻahu Choral Society and the Polynesian Voyaging Society to present, for the first time, Michael-Thomas Foumai’s complete choral symphony, Raise Hawaiki.

Inspired by the legendary voyages of Hōkūleʻa and the powerful words of Eddie Aikau and Nainoa Thompson, experience the trials and triumphs of Polynesian voyaging with captivating visual projections of historical photos alongside video from the current Moananuiākea voyage. 

This momentous evening opens with a powerful oli, offered by original and next‑generation Hōkūleʻa crewmembers - setting the tone through ancestral voice, lived experience, and the strength of an enduring legacy.  Guided by narration from acclaimed actor Moses Goods, the Hawaiʻi Symphony Orchestra presents a sweeping, immersive work brought to life with stunning visual projections.

 Together, music, story, and image trace the trials, triumphs, and unbroken spirit of Polynesian voyaging, honoring Hōkūleʻa not only as a historical moment, but as a movement that reshaped cultural memory and continues to navigate the future.

Ticket holders: We invite you to join us in the auditorium at 3:00 PM for pre-concert conversation.

Masterworks Series Sponsor

Concert Sponsor

Season Sponsor

*Tickets for this concert are sold online or through the HSO Box Office. For additional information, please call the HSO Box Office at (808) 380-7720, T-F between 10 am - 2 pm.

Intro

Set sail on a musical adventure for the whole ʻohana

Beyond the Music returns to celebrate the 50th anniversary of Hōkūleʻa’s historic maiden voyage to Tahiti.

The audience will journey through the story of Hōkūleʻa and the ancient art of Polynesian wayfinding— from that legendary first voyage to the inspiring explorations of Moananuiākea — brought vividly to life through expressive symphonic music. Led by guest conductor Francesco Lecce-Chong and Hawaiʻi Symphony Orchestra Composer in Residence Michael‑Thomas Foumai, the HSO performs excerpts from Raise Hawaiki in a lively program filled with narration, storytelling, and beautiful projected visuals that spark imagination at every age.

Arrive early for pre‑concert fun!

Young listeners can try instruments up close at the Hawaiʻi Youth Symphony Instrument Zoo and explore traditional navigation through hands‑on Polynesian Voyaging Society wayfinding experiences — interactive activities designed especially for keiki and families.

This one‑hour concert is thoughtfully created to engage curious minds and open hearts, making it an ideal introduction to music, culture, and the spirit of exploration.

 Join us and experience the magic of wayfinding together — through music, story, and shared heritage.

Masterworks Series Sponsor

concert sponsor

Season Sponsor

*Tickets for this concert are sold online or through the HSO Box Office. For additional information, please call the HSO Box Office at (808) 380-7720, T-F between 10 am - 2 pm.

Intro

“Oh, I am fortuneʻs fool!”

Passions double and toil in trouble with a Tchaikovsky double feature! Dane Lam conducts the lovestruck Romeo and Juliet Fantasy-Overture in collaboration with Ballet Hawaii;. Silver Medalist of the 2015 International Tchaikovsky Competition, pianist George Li, performs Piano Concerto No. 1. The Shakespeare Festival comes full circle, concluding with violent delights and violent ends, including Michael-Thomas Foumai’s Lady Dark, inspired by the Dark Lady Sonnets.

Ticket holders: We invite you to join us in the auditorium at 3:00 PM for a special pre-concert talk.

Masterworks Series Sponsor

Season Sponsors

*Tickets for this concert are sold online or through the HSO Box Office. For additional information, please call the HSO Box Office at (808) 380-7720, T-F between 10 am - 2 pm.

Intro

“Parting is such sweet sorrow.”

The Shakespeare Festival is back, showcasing all things tragic. From the Merry Wives of Windsor to the story of star-crossed lovers, emotions run high in a Prokofiev double feature. Conductor Dane Lam leads selections from the composer's ballet Romeo and Juliet, and Gramophone Young Artist of the Year, violinist Stella Chen, performs Violin Concerto No. 2.

Ticket holders: We invite you to join us in the auditorium at 6:30 PM for a special pre-concert talk.

Masterworks Series Sponsor

Season Sponsors

*Tickets for this concert are sold online or through the HSO Box Office. For additional information, please call the HSO Box Office at (808) 380-7720, T-F between 10 am - 2 pm.

Intro

“Love looks not with the eyes, but with the mind, And therefore is winged Cupid painted blind.”

Beware the Ides of March! Shakespeare Festival kicks off with all things Bard at your HSO. Dane Lam leads Mendelssohn’s enchanted incidental music from A Midsummer Night Dream in collaboration with Manoa Valley Theatre. Get your tickets before they vanish “into thin air.”

Ticket holders: We invite you to join us in the auditorium at 3:00 PM for a special pre-concert talk.

Masterworks Series Sponsor

Season Sponsor

*Tickets for this concert are sold online or through the HSO Box Office. For additional information, please call the HSO Box Office at (808) 380-7720, T-F between 10 am - 2 pm.

Intro

A lunar new year finale! Music and Artistic Director Dane Lam leads your Hawaiʻi Symphony Orchestra with an all-star program of seasonal favorites featuring renowned violinist Cho-Liang Lin and the phenomenal virtuosity of 16-year-old Canadian pianist Sophia Liu. 

Ticket holders: We invite you to join us in the auditorium at 6:30 PM for a special pre-concert talk.

Conductor’s Circle Sponsors

Lucy Xie and Jerry Guo

Masterworks Series Sponsor

Season Sponsor

*Tickets for this concert are sold online or through the HSO Box Office. For additional information, please call the HSO Box Office at (808) 380-7720, T-F between 10 am - 2 pm.

Intro

Keauhou is set to captivate audiences once again at the HapaSymphony series with an unforgettable evening of traditional Hawaiian music. This acclaimed ensemble, featuring the talented Jonah Kahanuola Solatorio alongside brothers Nicholas Kealiʻi Lum and Zachary Alakaʻi Lum, boasts multiple Nā Hōkū Hanohano awards and is renowned for their deep respect for Hawaiian music’s rich heritage.

Joining them is Keahi Delovio—Mana Up and Haku Collective Artist to Watch winner—performing an original work.

Don’t miss the chance to experience the powerful fusion of beloved classics and original compositions with the Hawaiʻi Symphony Orchestra and Music and Artistic Director Dane Lam.

hapasymphony Series Sponsors

Season Sponsor

*Tickets for this concert are sold online or through the HSO Box Office. For additional information, please call the HSO Box Office at (808) 380-7720, T-F between 10 am - 2 pm.

Intro

The geomungo, a traditional Korean instrument whose name translates to “black crane zither”, embodies an extraordinary and powerful spirit that serves as the focus of Black Dragon, a captivating concerto by Honolulu composer Donald Reid Womack. Experience the world premiere of the version for Western orchestra, performed by the sought-after geomungo virtuoso Yoon Jeong Heo.  Led by Music and Artistic Director Dane Lam, themes of theology and mythology weave together in a spellbinding program including Messiaen's Les Offrandes Oubliées and Brahms' Symphony No. 4.

Ticket holders: We invite you to join us in the auditorium at 3:00 PM for a special pre-concert talk.

CONDUCTOR’S CIRLE SPONSOR

Dr. Tyrie Jenkins

Jenkins Eye Care

Masterworks Series Sponsor

Season Sponsor

*Tickets for this concert are sold online or through the HSO Box Office. For additional information, please call the HSO Box Office at (808) 380-7720, T-F between 10 am - 2 pm.

Intro

Celebrated as one of the top ten greatest symphonies of all time by BBC Magazine, Mahler’s Ninth Symphony reflects a deep passion for life and the earth, even in the face of impending mortality. Though he never lived to hear it performed, Mahler’s masterpiece features an extraordinary opening movement resonating with profound emotion. Music and Artistic Director Dane Lam conducts a symphonic farewell, paired with Mozart’s Oboe Concerto, featuring principal oboist Gustav Highstein.

Ticket holders: We invite you to join us in the auditorium at 3:00 PM for a special pre-concert talk.

Masterworks Series Sponsor

Season Sponsor

*Tickets for this concert are sold online or through the HSO Box Office. For additional information, please call the HSO Box Office at (808) 380-7720, T-F between 10 am - 2 pm.