Louis Lortie Returns to the Kraków Philharmonic: Two Mozart Concerts
Canadian pianist Louis Lortie returns to the stage of the Kraków Philharmonic after eleven years. On Friday, 23 October, and Saturday, 24 October 2026, he will perform in two concerts devoted to Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart. The artist will play the piano and conduct the Kraków Philharmonic Orchestra from the instrument.
In Brief
- Louis Lortie returns to the Kraków Philharmonic after 11 years.
- The concerts will take place on 23 October 2026 at 7:30 p.m. and on 24 October 2026 at 6:00 p.m.
- The events will be held in the Prof. Jerzy Katlewicz Concert Hall at the Kraków Philharmonic.
- The programme includes four Mozart works: two opera overtures and two piano concertos.
- On 24 October at 4:30 p.m., a meeting with the artist is scheduled in the Golden Hall (Sala Złota).
The Artist’s Return After Eleven Years
Louis Lortie will once again appear on the stage of the Kraków Philharmonic after an 11-year break. According to a statement from Kraków City Hall, the two evenings with his participation are meant to pay tribute to Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart. The concerts have been scheduled to mark the 270th anniversary of the composer’s birth.
In both events, Lortie will take on a dual role: as soloist and as conductor, leading the Kraków Philharmonic Orchestra from the piano. This means the artist plays the solo part and simultaneously directs the ensemble during the performance of the works featuring the instrument.
Dates and Venue
The first concert will take place on Friday, 23 October 2026 at 7:30 p.m., and the second on Saturday, 24 October at 6:00 p.m. Both events are symphonic concerts and will be staged in the Prof. Jerzy Katlewicz Concert Hall at the Kraków Philharmonic.
Both evenings will feature the Kraków Philharmonic Orchestra and Louis Lortie. A summary of the key dates, including the meeting with the artist, is presented below.
| Date | Time | Event |
|---|---|---|
| Friday, 23 October 2026 | 7:30 p.m. | Symphonic concert, Prof. Jerzy Katlewicz Concert Hall |
| Saturday, 24 October 2026 | 4:30 p.m. | Meeting of the Discussion Music Club with Louis Lortie, Golden Hall (Sala Złota) |
| Saturday, 24 October 2026 | 6:00 p.m. | Symphonic concert, Prof. Jerzy Katlewicz Concert Hall |
Programme: Mozart in Four Works
The concert programme is built around Mozart’s output. It consists of two overtures: to the opera The Abduction from the Seraglio (Die Entführung aus dem Serail), KV 384, and to the opera Così fan tutte, KV 588. These are complemented by two piano concertos: in D minor, KV 466, and in C minor, KV 491.
Pairing the stage works with the piano concertos allows audiences to see the composer’s output from two perspectives: the theatrical, present in the overtures, and the instrumental, visible in the solo concertos. Details of the performance are worth checking in the Kraków Philharmonic’s programme.
- Overture to the opera The Abduction from the Seraglio, KV 384
- Overture to the opera Così fan tutte, KV 588
- Piano Concerto in D minor, KV 466
- Piano Concerto in C minor, KV 491
Meeting with the Artist on 24 October
The day of the second concert will also include a meeting of the Discussion Music Club with Louis Lortie. It is scheduled for 4:30 p.m. in the Golden Hall (Sala Złota), before the evening performance.
The event is a companion to the concert. The announcement did not provide details on the format of the conversation, so information about how the meeting will proceed should be followed in updates from the Kraków Philharmonic.
Tickets and Seat Availability
The Kraków Philharmonic reported high interest in the concerts. In response, the organiser released an additional batch of tickets for so-called additional seats (miejsca dostawione). The dates, venue, cast and repertoire are confirmed, while the additional batch and details of current sales may change as reservations come in.
Current seat availability and booking options should be checked directly at the box office or in the Kraków Philharmonic’s sales system.
Note: Seat availability may change during ticket sales. Before planning your visit, check whether seats are still available for your chosen date, especially as the concerts are attracting considerable interest.
Frequently Asked Questions
The concerts are scheduled for Friday, 23 October 2026 at 7:30 p.m. and Saturday, 24 October 2026 at 6:00 p.m. Both events will take place in the Prof. Jerzy Katlewicz Concert Hall at the Kraków Philharmonic.
The programme includes the overtures to the operas The Abduction from the Seraglio, KV 384, and Così fan tutte, KV 588, as well as two piano concertos: in D minor, KV 466, and in C minor, KV 491. All the works come from the output of Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart.
The meeting of the Discussion Music Club with Louis Lortie is scheduled for 24 October at 4:30 p.m. in the Golden Hall (Sala Złota). The event accompanies the concert on the same day.
Key Facts
- Louis Lortie returns to the Kraków Philharmonic after 11 years, appearing as both pianist and conductor.
- Two concerts of Mozart’s music will take place on 23 and 24 October 2026 in the Prof. Jerzy Katlewicz Concert Hall.
Based on information from: krakow.pl
