Renée Fleming and Béla Fleck to Perform Joint Concert at Carnegie Hall

The concert will be part of Carnegie Hall's 2026-27 season, which also includes a Philip Glass symphony and the venue's first complete Ring Cycle.

Published on Feb. 5, 2026

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Renowned soprano Renée Fleming and banjo virtuoso Béla Fleck, who both previously withdrew from appearances at the Kennedy Center after President Donald Trump took over the venue, will now give a joint concert at Carnegie Hall as part of the 2026-27 season. The season will also feature the premiere of Philip Glass' Symphony No. 15 'Lincoln' and the first complete performance of Wagner's Ring Cycle at Carnegie Hall.

Why it matters

The decision by Fleming and Fleck to perform together at Carnegie Hall after dropping out of Kennedy Center events highlights the ongoing tensions and political divisions surrounding major cultural institutions in the U.S. The inclusion of the Glass symphony and the Ring Cycle also demonstrate Carnegie Hall's commitment to presenting ambitious, high-profile classical music programs.

The details

Fleming and Fleck will present an evening of Appalachian folk music at Carnegie Hall on December 3, 2026. Their joint concert was planned before they withdrew from Kennedy Center appearances last month. The 2026-27 season will also feature the Orchestra of St. Luke's performing the world premiere of Philip Glass' Symphony No. 15 'Lincoln' on January 31, 2027. Additionally, conductor Gianandrea Noseda will lead the Zurich Opera orchestra in concert performances of Wagner's complete Ring Cycle from March 18-23, 2027, the first time the full cycle has been presented at Carnegie Hall.

  • Fleming and Fleck will perform at Carnegie Hall on December 3, 2026.
  • Philip Glass' Symphony No. 15 'Lincoln' will premiere on January 31, 2027.
  • Gianandrea Noseda will lead the Zurich Opera orchestra in Wagner's Ring Cycle from March 18-23, 2027.

The players

Renée Fleming

A renowned American soprano who has performed at the world's top opera houses and concert halls.

Béla Fleck

An American banjo virtuoso known for his innovative and genre-blending musical style.

Philip Glass

A highly influential American composer known for his minimalist style and works that often explore political and social themes.

Gianandrea Noseda

An Italian conductor who serves as the music director of the National Symphony Orchestra and the Zurich Opera.

Kirill Petrenko

The chief conductor of the Berlin Philharmonic, one of the world's leading orchestras.

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What they’re saying

“It's fantastic that with this project we will do something historically important. Of course you miss the visual aspect but you can get probably more precise musical performances because everybody's focused without movements, without costumes, without lighting.”

— Gianandrea Noseda, Conductor

What’s next

Fleming and Fleck are also scheduled to perform the Appalachian folk music program on May 23, 2026 at the Spoleto Festival in Charleston, South Carolina, and are discussing additional tour dates.

The takeaway

The 2026-27 season at Carnegie Hall showcases the venue's ability to adapt and respond to major cultural and political shifts, bringing together acclaimed artists like Fleming and Fleck while also presenting ambitious classical music programs like the complete Ring Cycle that push the boundaries of what's possible in the concert hall.