Published on June 16, 2026
A centenary jazz celebration honouring Miles Davis and John Coltrane highlights the 2026-27 season
In honour of the late Michael Koerner, we dedicate this season to his memory.
Broadway returns to Koerner Hall with a star-studded, macabre presentation of Sondheim's Sweeney Todd in concert in The Royal Conservatory’s 18th concert season that also includes a continuation of the acclaimed “Orchestrated” series with the Royal Conservatory Orchestra.
New subscriptions are now on sale and single tickets go on sale at 10 a.m. on Tuesday, June 16.
The season kicks off in typical Koerner Hall fashion combining classical and global music, a new work and a rising star. Canadian violinist James Ehnes celebrates his 50th Birthday on October 2nd and Mali’s legendary guitarist Vieux Farka Touré plays on October 3rd. Recognized as “a violinist in a class of his own” (The Times), the Honorary Fellow of The Royal Conservatory celebrates with a special international tour with pianist Andrew Armstrong, and his ninth Koerner Hall appearance features works by Brahms and Bartók, along with a Toronto premiere of a new piece co-commissioned by the RCM from acclaimed Canadian composer Carmen Braden, titled Imaginal. Vieux makes his third appearance in Koerner Hall alongside emerging Ethiopian singer Melat Mengesha.
“The Royal Conservatory’s 2026.27 concert season showcases the richness and diversity of today’s musical landscape. From classical masterworks to global showcases and distinguished academic performances, our stages celebrate artistry across genres and traditions. Canadian artists are proudly front and centre alongside international superstars”
“We also bring you our biggest piano recital series yet; chamber music in abundance; artists hailing from over 30 countries; the tenth anniversary of our very own global music band, KUNÉ; and a jazz series marking the centenaries of Miles Davis and John Coltrane. Of course, concerts by our outstanding students and faculty are featured throughout the season.”
The Royal Conservatory celebrates 100 years of Miles Davis and John Coltrane with a powerhouse six‑concert series, A Centenary of Trane and Miles, with performances by jazz innovators like Branford Marsalis, Dianne Reeves, Renee Rosnes, John Beasley, Ravi Coltrane, and more. As a bonus, four of the concerts include some of the best jazz artists in Toronto such as Robi Botos, Ewen Farncombe, Pat LaBarbera, Jesse Ryan, John Johnson, and more.
Broadway in concert returns to Koerner Hall
Director Richard Ouzounian and Music Director Paul Sportelli reunite with the Royal Conservatory Orchestra on January 15, 16, and 17 for Sondheim’s Sweeney Todd, a tasty, thrilling, theatrical treat that has simultaneously shocked, awed, and delighted audiences across the world. The all-star cast of Canadian theatre, TV, and opera talent includes Stratford Festival’s Ben Carlson and Deborah Hay, RCM alumna Elena Howard-Scott, Glenn Gould School faculty member Jason Howard, Robert Markus, Thom Allison, and Broadway’s Alexis Gordon, as well as a chorus and dancers.
The Royal Conservatory is excited to continue its innovative Orchestrated concert series featuring beloved Canadian songwriters Rufus Wainwright and Jim Cuddy. This season the audience will again discover an unforgettable blend of sound and style, and enjoy a fully immersive night of specialty cocktails and meet-ups at pre-concert receptions, experience new sounds from these genre-busting artists accompanied by members of the Royal Conservatory Orchestra in Koerner Hall, and keep the vibe alive at after parties with Toronto’s top DJs.
Other highlights include:
High-energy global sounds from Mali’s Salif Keita, Roma violinist Roby Lakatos, uplifting choral group Ladysmith Black Mambazo, and Ireland’s Martin Hayes, among others.
An unparalleled piano season featuring virtuosos like Yuja Wang, Daniil Trifonov, Garrick Ohlsson, and Bruce Liu.
Vocal powerhouses including Mariza, Larisa Martínez, Laila Biali, Meow Meow, and Stacey Kent.
Genre-blurring performances in our Pop & Beyond series including progressive folk trailblazers Punch Brothers, banjo visionary Béla Fleck, iconic Detroit bassist Don Was, and a celebration of Belgian and French singers Piaf, Aznavour, Bécaud, and Brel in a Valentine’s Day eve concert titled Une Vie d’Amour.
Chamber music excellence with, Stewart Goodyear, Joshua Bell, Himari, Kronos Quartet, and others.
Fearless contemporary sounds with 21C Music artists like soprano-pianist Rachel Fenlon, Bang on a Can All-Stars celebrating Steve Reich and Philip Glass, and Vicky Chow’s acclaimed renditions of Glass’s minimalist Piano Études.
Performances of Mozart’s Le nozze di Figaro by The Glenn Gould School Opera.
Additional concerts include electrifying Royal Conservatory Orchestra performances led by guest conductors James Conlon, Laura Jackson, Tania Miller, and Earl Lee, faculty and student chamber showcases including the Grammy-nominated ARC Ensemble and flautist Susan Hoeppner, an exceptional Beethoven celebration featuring John O’Conor and James Anagnoson, and so many more.
