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Cape Symphony’s artistic director, Alyssa Wang, sat down for the latest installment of “Cape Conversations” to unveil the orchestra’s highly anticipated 2025-2026 season. The conversation, recorded earlier this week at the symphony’s Hyannis rehearsal space, offers a behind-the-scenes look at the programming decisions, guest artists, and community initiatives that will define the upcoming year.
During the interview, Wang emphasized a deliberate balance between canonical masterworks and contemporary voices. “We want our audience to feel both the comfort of the familiar and the thrill of discovery,” she said. The season will open in October with Beethoven’s Symphony No. 7, paired with a newly commissioned piece by Cape Cod–based composer Jocelyn Hagen. Wang noted that the commission was made possible through a grant from the National Endowment for the Arts, marking the first time the symphony has received such funding.
The season also features a series of thematic weekends. A “Festival of the Americas” in January will spotlight works by Latin American composers, including Arturo Márquez’s “Danzón No. 2” and a suite from the film “Coco” arranged by a local arranger. In March, the orchestra will collaborate with the Cape Cod Children’s Chorus for a family-friendly performance of Saint-Saëns’ “Carnival of the Animals.” Wang described the chorus partnership as a “win-win for building the next generation of classical music lovers.”
Guest artists are a major draw. Violinist Elena Urioste, a frequent soloist with the Boston Symphony, will perform Sibelius’s Violin Concerto in February. Pianist Sean Chen, silver medalist at the 2013 Van Cliburn Competition, will join for a Rachmaninoff program in April. Wang said she personally reached out to each artist, emphasizing the intimate rapport that Cape Symphony’s smaller venue allows. “There’s a directness of communication that you can’t get in a 2000-seat hall,” she explained.
Beyond the concert hall, the symphony is expanding its “Music in the Community” series. Free chamber concerts will be held at libraries in Falmouth, Orleans, and Provincetown, with a special focus on reaching underserved populations. Wang also announced a new “Symphony for All” ticket program, offering $10 tickets for residents of Barnstable County with a valid ID. “Accessibility isn’t an afterthought,” she said. “It’s central to our mission.”
The Cape Conversations episode, hosted by local arts journalist Mark D. Allen, includes a segment where Wang listens to and critiques recordings from the symphony’s youth orchestra. The youth ensemble will perform at the season finale in May, playing a suite from “The Planets” by Gustav Holst. Wang called the young musicians “the heart of the organization’s future.”
When asked about the challenges of programming in a post-pandemic landscape, Wang acknowledged that subscriber numbers have rebounded to 85% of pre-COVID levels but noted that single-ticket sales are still volatile. “We’re seeing a lot of last-minute decisions,” she said. “Our digital marketing and social media engagement have become crucial.” The symphony recently hired a full-time digital content manager, a position that didn’t exist three years ago.
The interview also touched on the symphony’s commitment to environmental sustainability. The orchestra has partnered with the Cape Cod Green Alliance to offset carbon emissions from its touring and guest artist travel. Wang said the initiative aligns with the musical theme of “resonance with nature” that runs through several season programs, including a performance of “The River” by John Luther Adams.
Cape Symphony’s 2025-2026 season tickets go on sale March 30. Individual concert tickets will be available starting June 1. The full season brochure, featuring an interview with Alyssa Wang by the Cape Cod Times’ arts editor, is expected to be released in early April.
Fans can listen to the full “Cape Conversations” episode on the symphony’s website or via major podcast platforms starting March 25. Wang hinted that the episode includes a surprise announcement about a new collaboration with the Provincetown Art Association, which will be detailed in a separate press release next month.
As the interview wrapped, Wang reflected on the broader mission of the orchestra. “We’re not just playing notes on a page. We’re telling stories that connect people to this place, to each other, and to something larger than themselves.” The 2025-2026 season, she said, is designed to be “a soundtrack for the Cape Cod community—joyful, reflective, and always evolving.”
