6 Friday nights in June, July and August
Rady Shell Summer 2025 Opening Night with the San Diego Symphony Orchestra
Friday, June 27, 7:30 PM
Rafael Payare, conductor
Paul Merkelo, trumpet
San Diego Symphony Orchestra
GINASTERA: Four Dances from Estancia
WYNTON MARSALIS: Trumpet Concerto
DUKAS: The Sorcerer’s Apprentice
DEBUSSY: La mer
Rafael Payare and the San Diego Symphony Orchestra open the fifth summer season at The Rady Shell at Jacobs Park with a delectable program fitting of the occasion. The evening opens with Ginastera’s Four Dances from Estancia, the final dance being the spirited “Malambo.” Wynton Marsalis – one of the greatest and most celebrated trumpet musicians of all time – created a trumpet concerto that will receive its San Diego debut, at the hands of trumpet extraordinaire Paul Merkelo. Dukas’ The Sorcerer’s Apprentice conjures the excitement and magic made famous by Disney’s Fantasia, and Debussy’s La mer brings a beautiful ode to the sea, a perfect selection for the waterfront venue.
4th of July: America in Song with the San Diego Symphony Orchestra
Friday, July 4, 7:30 PM
Ted Sperling, conductor
Morgan James, vocalist
Bryonha Marie, vocalist
Nicholas Christopher, vocalist
San Diego Symphony Orchestra
Maestro Ted Sperling’s new "4th of July: America in Song" with the San Diego Symphony Orchestra brings audiences together to share what is unique and wonderful about the American spirit, through our country’s wide and storied musical heritage. Featured songs include the Gershwin's’ "Summertime," Bob Dylan’s "The Times They Are a-Changin’", Dolly Parton’s "Coat of Many Colors," the Louis Armstrong classic "Basin Street Blues," Paul Simon’s "American Tune" and many more singularly American songs. Blending the music that has enchanted generations of Americans from the early gems of Stephen Foster to spirituals and jazz standards to classics of Tin Pan Alley, contemporary Broadway and Americana anthems we all love, this 4th of July event is not to be missed.
Experience this celebratory concert and enjoy the rich musical history that makes our country special and beloved at home and around the world.
This concert was commissioned by the San Diego Symphony.
Top Gun: Maverick in Concert with the San Diego Symphony Orchestra
Friday, July 11, 7:30 PM
John Beal, conductor
San Diego Symphony Orchestra
Top Gun: Maverick in Concert will feature the San Diego Symphony Orchestra performing Lorne Balfe, Harold Faltermeyer, Lady Gaga and Hans Zimmer’s score – conducted by John Beal.
Top Gun: Maverick was nominated for six Academy Awards® including Best Picture and Best Original Song, winning Best Sound.
After more than 30 years of service as one of the Navy’s top aviators, Pete “Maverick” Mitchell (Tom Cruise) is where he belongs, pushing the envelope as a courageous test pilot and dodging the advancement in rank that would ground him. When he finds himself training a detachment of TOPGUN graduates for a specialized mission the likes of which no living pilot has ever seen, Maverick encounters Lt. Bradley Bradshaw (Miles Teller), call sign: “Rooster,” the son of Maverick’s late friend and Radar Intercept Officer Lt. Nick Bradshaw, aka “Goose.”
Facing an uncertain future and confronting the ghosts of his past, Maverick is drawn into a confrontation with his own deepest fears, culminating in a mission that demands the ultimate sacrifice from those who will be chosen to fly it.
A Royal Albert Hall production in association with esk film.
Mr. Symphonic: Shaggy with the San Diego Symphony Orchestra
Friday, August 1, 7:30 PM
Shaggy
Steven Reineke, conductor
San Diego Symphony Orchestra
Mr. Boombastic turns “symphonic” for one night only in San Diego, as Shaggy joins forces with the San Diego Symphony and conductor Steven Reineke at The Rady Shell at Jacobs Park! From the beginnings of mento, ska, Rock Steady and Reggae to modern Dance Hall, the multi-GRAMMY® award winning artist presents a survey of Jamaican popular music, including his own culture-changing contributions to the tradition, featuring “It Wasn’t Me,” “Angel,” “Mr. Boombastic” and more. Shaggy performs with his band and the San Diego Symphony Orchestra.
Arrangements by David Serkin Ludwig
Chicago the Musical in Concert
Friday, August 8, 7:30 PM
Rob Fisher, conductor
Bianca Marroquin, vocalist
Tari Kelly, vocalist
Emily Skinner, vocalist
Lewis Cleale, vocalist
Joseph Thalken, piano
Sean McDaniel, drums
San Diego Symphony Orchestra
Seductive hip thrusts, finger snaps, “wah-wah” trumpets and — murder! Or, rather, an alleged murder. Chicago’s electrifying tale of greed, corruption, exploitation, adultery and yes, murder, is the longest running American musical in Broadway history and has now been reimagined for the concert hall! Roxie, Velma, Amos, Billy and the Merry Murderesses of the Cook County Jail will bring you everything you know and love about the “Cell Block Tango,” “Mr. Cellophane,” “Nowadays” and the rest of the dynamic score, including “All That Jazz.” Whether it's your first experience or you’re a long-time fan, Chicago with the San Diego Symphony will have a special razzle dazzle for you quite unlike any other.
Barbie the Movie: In Concert
Friday, August 22, 7:30 PM
Macy Schmidt, conductor
San Diego Symphony Orchestra
Dance the night away with Barbie The Movie: In Concert! The record-shattering, full-length feature film will be accompanied by a live orchestra, performing both the score and the beloved pop songs from the iconic soundtrack.
Barbie® fans of all ages are invited to celebrate the music of the film. Barbie and Ken are having the time of their lives in the colorful and seemingly perfect world of Barbie Land. However, when they get a chance to go to the real world, they soon discover the joys and perils of living among humans.
