Historic New Orleans Collection Hosts 18th Annual Concert

Celebrating 19th-century Creole composers and innovators with the Louisiana Philharmonic Orchestra

Published on Feb. 9, 2026

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The Historic New Orleans Collection (HNOC) will co-present the 18th annual Musical Louisiana: America's Cultural Heritage concert with the Louisiana Philharmonic Orchestra (LPO) and Treme's Petit Jazz Museum in the St. Louis Cathedral on March 4. Curated by Alvin Jackson, the concert will feature works by 19th-century Creole composers and innovators, including Basile Barès, Charles Lucien Lambert, Louis Moreau Gottschalk, Edmond Dédé, and Thomas J. Martin.

Why it matters

This concert celebrates the contributions of 19th-century Creole composers and innovators whose work laid the foundation for the New Orleans sound. By bringing these voices to the forefront, the event honors the profound connection between New Orleans' music and history.

The details

The GRAMMY Award-winning LPO will be joined by guest artists Doreen Ketchens, OperaCréole, Oscar Rossignoli and Geovane Santos under the baton of Daniela Candillari. Alvin Jackson of Treme's Petit Jazz Museum will host a preconcert talk at HNOC's Williams Research Center ahead of the concert.

  • The 18th annual Musical Louisiana: America's Cultural Heritage concert will take place on Wednesday, March 4, 2026.
  • The preconcert talk hosted by Alvin Jackson will begin at 6 p.m. on March 4, 2026, and conclude in time for attendees to walk to the St. Louis Cathedral for the concert.

The players

The Historic New Orleans Collection (HNOC)

A museum, research center, and publisher dedicated to preserving the history and culture of New Orleans and the Gulf South region.

Louisiana Philharmonic Orchestra (LPO)

A professional symphony orchestra based in New Orleans that performs classical music concerts throughout the region.

Treme's Petit Jazz Museum

A museum in the Treme neighborhood of New Orleans that celebrates the city's jazz heritage.

Alvin Jackson

The curator of the 'Echoes of Innovation' concert and the director of Treme's Petit Jazz Museum.

Daniela Candillari

The conductor who will lead the Louisiana Philharmonic Orchestra during the concert.

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What they’re saying

“Almost eight years after my initial foray into the great world of classical music, I finally met a group of likeminded people who shared my belief that this historic music needed to be properly presented to the public.”

— Alvin Jackson, Curator of the 'Echoes of Innovation' concert and director of Treme's Petit Jazz Museum (myneworleans.com)

“This collaboration allows us to honor the brilliant 19th-century Creole innovators whose work laid the foundation for the New Orleans sound we cherish today. By bringing these voices to the forefront, we are celebrating the profound truth that our music and our history are inextricably linked.”

— Anwar Nasir, Executive Director of the Louisiana Philharmonic Orchestra (myneworleans.com)

“Since 2007, Musical Louisiana: America's Cultural Heritage has showcased Louisiana's contributions to the world of classical music. By bringing these archival stories to life in the heart of the city, HNOC serves as more than just a repository; HNOC is a vital steward of our shared identity, ensuring that the innovations of the past remain a living source of inspiration for our community today.”

— Daniel Hammer, President and CEO of the Historic New Orleans Collection (myneworleans.com)

What’s next

The concert will be streamed live on LPOmusic.com and WLAE.com, allowing music lovers across Louisiana and beyond to experience the performance.

The takeaway

This concert celebrates the rich musical heritage of New Orleans, highlighting the contributions of 19th-century Creole composers and innovators whose work laid the foundation for the city's iconic sound. By bringing these historical stories to life, the event reinforces the deep connection between New Orleans' music and its cultural identity.