Søndergård Conducts Sibelius
Fri Jan 16 — Sat Jan 17, 2026
Orchestra Hall
Week two of the Nordic Soundscapes festival takes us back to Sibelius, this time with his maiden voyage as a composer of symphonies. Turns out, he was more than ready to take the plunge. We also return to Denmark, with a deeply moving song cycle by Hans Abrahamsen that tells the story of Hamlet’s Ophelia from her perspective.
Musician Spotlight - Mingle with musicians onstage at a post-concert reception.
A Few Things to Know
- Enter a warm, comfortable and welcoming space, designed for exploring the sounds of Nordic countries alongside your favorite winter escapes. Hear classic Nordic favorites and pieces bound to inspire. Cozy up by the fire, enjoy Nordic baked goods and sip an aquavit cocktail.
- Plan your visit to Orchestra Hall
Program
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STENHAMMAR
Excelsior!
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ABRAHAMSEN
let me tell you
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SIBELIUS
Symphony No. 1
Artists
Minnesota Orchestra
Thomas Søndergård
conductor
Lauren Snouffer
soprano
The Grammy Award-winning Minnesota Orchestra, now in its second century, ranks among America’s top symphonic ensembles, with a distinguished history of acclaimed performances in its home state and around the world; award-winning recordings, broadcasts and educational engagement programs; and a commitment to intentionally build concert programs to feature more works by composers of color, exploring music both contemporary and historic. In September 2024, Danish conductor Thomas Søndergård began his second season as music director.
Danish conductor Thomas Søndergård, who in September 2024 began his second season as music director of the Minnesota Orchestra, is a highly regarded conductor in both the orchestral and opera spheres. He has earned a reputation for incisive interpretations of works by composers from his native Denmark, a great versatility in a broad range of standard and modern repertoire, and a collaborative approach with the musicians he leads. His 2024-25 season in Minnesota began with two weeks of season opening concerts featuring Yunchan Lim and Leila Josefowicz. Other season highlights include performances of Mozart’s Requiem and Puccini’s Turandot, a January festival of music from Nordic countries and the return of the Minnesota Orchestra Composer Institute.
Recognized for her unique artistic curiosity in world-class performances spanning the music of Claudio Monteverdi and Georg Frideric Handel through to Missy Mazzoli and Sir George Benjamin, American Lauren Snouffer is celebrated as one of the most versatile and respected sopranos on the international stage.
Plan your visit
- Pre-concert activities
- Valet Parking
- Pre-order Beverages
- Directions & Parking
- Helpful Tips
Musician Spotlight
When: Sat Jan 17 | Post Concert
Where: Main Stage
Mingle with musicians onstage at a post-concert reception.
Know Before You Go
An engaging performance awaits, and the fun doesn’t stop there. Make this visit your own with food and activity options. Browse these helpful tips, and when your concert date arrives, all you have to do is sit back and enjoy.
Directions & Parking
All the information you need to know for getting to and from Orchestra Hall. Parking is just steps away from Orchestra Hall in the city-owned and skyway-connected 11th and Marquette Ramp.
Download the MinnOrch App
With our mobile app, you can pre-order intermission drinks, scan your ticket for entry and more. You'll also get exclusive deals just for app users!
Accessibility Services
- Armless & Bariatric Chairs
- Assistive Listening Devices
- Large-Print Programs
- Noise-Cancelling Headphones
- Service Animals
- Wheelchair & Accessible Seating
Additional services are available upon request.
Sponsored by
The 2025-2026 Classical Season is presented by Ameriprise Financial.
