Article Contributed by Gratefulweb
Published on January 21, 2026
Photo: Courtesy of Colorado Symphony
ANNOUNCING YO-YO MA WITH THE COLORADO SYMPHONY AND PETER OUNDJIAN AT RED ROCKS AMPHITHEATRE AND FORD AMPHITHEATER
Beloved cellist joins the orchestra for two unforgettable outdoor performances, June 3 at Red Rocks Park & Amphitheatre and June 5 at Ford Amphitheater in Colorado Springs.
Jan. 20, 2026 – Denver, CO – The Colorado Symphony, led by Music Director Peter Oundjian, is thrilled to announce that iconic cellist Yo-Yo Ma will join the orchestra for two spectacular outdoor performances this summer: June 3, 2026, at Red Rocks Park & Amphitheatre and June 5, 2026, at Ford Amphitheater in Colorado Springs. Set against the backdrop of two of Colorado’s most iconic open-air venues, these concerts unite one of the world’s most revered artists with one of America’s leading orchestras for an extraordinary celebration of music, nature, and community.
The programs pair Yo-Yo Ma’s unparalleled artistry with a vibrant, all-American–inflected repertoire performed by the Colorado Symphony. The evening culminates in Dvořák’s Cello Concerto, one of the most beloved works in the cello canon, featuring Yo-Yo Ma as soloist.
The full program includes:
“Yo-Yo Ma is an artist of rare generosity,” said Peter Oundjian, Music Director. “He listens deeply, gives completely, and creates an atmosphere on stage where musicians feel both challenged and supported. That kind of music-making brings out something special in an orchestra, and it’s something audiences feel immediately. Sharing that experience in two extraordinary outdoor venues will make these performances truly unique, offering our community a special way to come together around great music.”
“There is no artist who more fully embodies the power of music to inspire and unite humanity than Yo-Yo Ma,” said Daniel Wachter, President & CEO of the Colorado Symphony. “These performances bring our vision to life, connecting communities across Colorado through live symphonic music that speaks across cultures and generations. Sharing the stage at two of Colorado’s most iconic outdoor venues allows us to extend the concert hall into the landscape itself, affirming music as a powerful force for connection, creativity, and shared meaning.”
Yo-Yo Ma’s multifaceted career reflects his belief in culture’s power to generate trust and understanding. From performing cornerstone works of the classical repertoire to championing new music and cross-cultural collaboration, he has consistently expanded the role of music in civic life. His recent cultural journey, Our Common Nature, celebrates how nature can reunite us in pursuit of a shared future, making these Colorado performances—surrounded by dramatic landscapes—especially resonant.
YO-YO MA
with THE COLORADO SYMPHONY
with PETER OUNDJIAN, Music Director
RED ROCKS AMPHITHEATRE
18300 W Alameda Pkwy, Morrison, CO 80465
Wednesday, June 3, 2026
FORD AMPHITHEATER
95 Spectrum Loop, Colorado Springs, CO 80921
Friday, June 5, 2026
Tickets on sale this Friday, January 23 at 10am MT:
https://www.axs.com/series/31124/yo-yo-ma-with-the-colorado-symphony-in-colorado-2026-tickets
