British violinist Rachel Podger, who quickly won over Toronto audiences on assuming the role of Principal Guest Director of Tafelmusik Baroque Orchestra, has extended her role for another three years. That will bring her to the end of Tafelmusik’s landmark 50th anniversary season in 2028/29.
During the 2026/27 season, the details of which have just been announced, she’ll be leading the Bach’s Coffeehouse and season-closing Mozart’s Genius programs.
The 2026/27 season will offer audiences a balance of iconic works and rediscovered voices, incorporating interdisciplinary storytelling, and more, all performed on period instruments.
As a response to audience feedback, new in 2026/27, the evening concerts will begin at 7:30 p.m.
“Welcome to Tafelmusik’s 48th season, a year crafted to spark joy, reflection, and surprise. This season is about the thrill of listening, music that surprises, challenges, and delights,” says Cristina Zacharias, on behalf of the Artistic Co-Directors.
“Whether it’s Bach in a coffeehouse, Telemann through story and image, or Mozart at full tilt, each program is designed to create sheer brilliance through a vivid, shared experience “Live music has a rare ability to slow us down, sharpen our listening, and bring people together in a shared moment,” says Glenn Hodgins, Executive Director. “This season offers performances that are intimate, expansive, playful, and profound, music that rewards curiosity and invites audiences to listen in new ways.”
Subscriptions are now on sale for 2026/27.
Tafelmusik’s 2026/27 season was curated by Artistic Co-Directors Brandon Chui, Dominic Teresi, and Cristina Zacharias. It includes ten mainstage programs that will take place at Jeanne Lamon Hall (Trinity-St. Paul’s Centre) and Koerner Hall, along with touring, community chamber concerts, education initiatives, and a new recording release.
Beethoven & Farrenc (September 25–27 at Koerner Hall)
Louise Farrenc and Beethoven, both trailblazers of their time, launch the new season. The concert will be directed by German conductor Jakob Lehmann, founder and Artistic Director of Eroica Berlin, in his Tafelmusik debut. The program includes Farrenc’s Symphony no. 3, which premiered in 1849, and Beethoven’s Symphony no. 7.
Baroque Fiesta (Octtober 29 – November 1 at Jeanne Lamon Hall)
The concert will be directed by Spanish violinist Lina Tur Bonet, making her return to Tafelmusik’s stage, and will feature mezzo-soprano Cecilia Duarte. Baroque Fiesta celebrates the musical cultures of Latin America in various ways. The program includes arias by Handel and Vivaldi, music of the Spanish Golden Age, and music influenced by African, Indigenous, and Spanish traditions.
Vive la France! (November 27–29 at Jeanne Lamon Hall)
The concert, showcasing the gorgeous choral music of French Baroque masters, will be directed by Ivars Taurins. It features music by Lully, Charpentier, Campra, Lalande, Mondonville, and Rameau, and a range of themes that include faith, grief, love, and the natural world.
Handel Messiah (December 17–19 at Koerner Hall)
Ivars Taurins directs the holiday classic, featuring soloists Myriam Leblanc, Cecilia Duarte, Jacob Perry Jr, and Jesse Blumberg . Audiences love Tafelmusik’s Messiah, performed with stylistic insight by Tafelmusik’s orchestra and choir.
Sing-Along Messiah (December 20 at Massey Hall)
Mr Handel returns to direct the uber-popular Sing-Along Messiah, featuring soloists Myriam Leblanc, Cecilia Duarte, Jacob Perry Jr, and Jesse Blumberg . The lines between performers and audience blur and disappear as the audience joins in with Handel’s celebrated iconic work.
Bach’s Coffeehouse (January 28–31 at Jeanne Lamon Hall)
Rachel Podger directs this concert that captures the Baroque-era café culture that Bach loved. His evenings at Zimmerman’s coffeehouse in Leipzig were legendary, blending superb musicality with an intimate energy. The program includes Bach favourites, concertos, and more.
Telemania! (February 18–21 at Jeanne Lamon Hall)
Award-winning Canadian artist Alison Mackay has created a new multimedia work that celebrates the artistry of Georg Telemann — whose work inspired Tafelmusik’s name. The concert includes narration by Blair Williams, and projected images along with the music. Telemania! explores the composer’s life, and looks at why he was the most revered German music maker of his day.
Bach St John Passion (March 11–14 at Jeanne Lamon Hall)
Australian pianist Kristian Bezuidenhout directs Bach’s powerful Passion, with soloists Joanne Lunn, Nicholas Burns, James Gilchrist, and Peter Harvey . Bach’s music ranges from powerful and intense to contemplative as it tells the story of suffering and sacrifice.
A Feast of Sound (April 1–4 at Jeanne Lamon Hall)
Renowned Italian oboist Alfredo Bernardini directs in his triumphant return to Tafelmusik. The program offers a range of contrasting works from Purcell to French composer Jean-Féry Rebel, known as an avant-garde artist of his era, along with Corelli and Zelenka. It’s a smorgasbord of music of the Baroque era and showcases its enduring appeal.
Purcell King Arthur (April 23–25 at Jeanne Lamon Hall)
Ivar Taurins directs, with narration by R.H. Thomson, and soloists Ellen McAteer, James Reese, Parker Clements, and Nicholas Higgs. Purcell’s delightful take on the fairy tale is full of both magic and humour, and includes memorable characters. There are songs dances, and more as John Dryden’s Arthurian tale unfolds.
Mozart’s Genius — May 14–16 (Koerner Hall)
Rachel Podger directs this all-Mozart celebration. The program brings together late symphonies with Mozart’s scintillating Violin Concerto no. 4. Podger has a uniquely insightful take on Mozart that brings the familiar music to life with heart and virtuosity.
Rachel Podger directs from the violin in a new recording that will be released in fall 2026: Mozart 40 and Schubert 5.
Tafelmusik will tour to Eastern Canada, and through Ontario in November 2026. There will be more Ontario performances in the spring of 2027.
Tafelmusik continues its education outreach efforts, which include free school concerts in April 2026. Via partnerships with the Toronto Botanical Gardens, McMichael Canadian Arts Collection and other venues to be announced, community chamber concerts will continue throughout the season.
The Tafelmusik Baroque Summer Institute takes place June 13–26, 2026, including free public concerts (details to be announced).
Tafelmusik’s partnership with Opera Atelier continues with two productions that will take place in Koerner Hall.
Subscriptions to the 2026/26 season are now on sale.
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