Rafael Payare

I am thrilled to share that my tenure as Music & Artistic Director of @SanDiegoSymph extends through the 28/29 season. Our journey continues this weekend with our Tales of Enchantment program featuring Augustin Hadelich in Sibelius's Violin Concerto (11/14-15). 📸 @toddrphoto

Two voices. Seven locked doors. 🔑 Karen Cargill and Mark Stone star in Bartók’s haunting Bluebeard’s Castle alongside Strauss’s monumental Also sprach Zarathustra — the San Diego Symphony’s season finale with @rafaelpayare 📅 May 22 & 24 📍 Jacobs Music Center #StayClassical

“It speaks to universal messages about bringing us together as human beings… it’s a wonderful work of art.” — @AWeilerstein on @GOrtizcomposer's GRAMMY-winning cello concerto "Dzonot." Hear it May 9 & 10 at Jacobs Music Center with @rafaelpayare! 🔗 timesofsandiego.com/arts/2026/05/0…

We’re headed back to Tijuana, Mexico!🎶 Led by @rafaelpayare, the SDSO will perform a FREE community concert at Centro Cultural Tijuana on May 12! This performance continues our role as a cultural connector across the Cali-Baja region. More info: cecut.gob.mx/teatro.php

Saison 26/27 avec mon @OSMconcerts ! bit.ly/3PCEm7D

Magnifiques représentations Les Noces de Figaro de Mozart la semaine dernière avec mon @osmconcerts. Merci à tous ! 📸 Gabriel Fournier ___ Magnificent performances of Mozart's The Marriage of Figaro last week with my OSM. Thank you all!

I am excited to make my debut with the @ConcertgbOrkest February 18-20! On the program: Gubaidulina's "Fairy Tale Poem," Frank Martin's Violin Concerto with soloist Frank Peter Zimmermann and Shostakovich's Symphony No. 10.

Je suis ravi de faire mes débuts avec le @ConcertgbOrkest du 18 au 20 février ! Au programme : « Fairy Tale Poem » de Gubaidulina, le Concerto pour violon de Frank Martin avec le soliste Frank Peter Zimmermann et la Symphonie n° 10 de Chostakovitch . 📸 @toddrphoto

Thrilled to return to @philorch this week to lead a program that includes Tchaikovsky's Violin Concerto with David Kim, Falla’s El amor brujo with Marina Heredia, and the first Philadelphia Orchestra performance of Ballard's Devil’s Promenade.

Some things can’t be streamed. They have to be experienced. We’re proud to announce the San Diego Symphony's 2026–27 Jacobs Masterworks season! 🎶 Now on sale → sandiegosymphony.org/seasons-packag…

Exclusive! Here is @SanDiegoSymph's complete 2026/2027 season, plus our interviews with music & artistic director @rafaelpayare and President/CEO Martha Gilmer. What concerts are you most looking forward to? sandiegouniontribune.com/2026/01/30/san…

From shadowy “night music” and alpine water imagery to a bold Wagner-inspired finale, Mahler's Symphony No. 7 is one his most daring works. Our musicians break it down in the latest THREE THINGS video: ▶️ youtu.be/8eaNI8T4LJo?si… 📅Jan 31 & Feb 1 with @rafaelpayare 📍JMC

Wishing happy holidays and a joyful 2026 to all! / Nous souhaitons à tous de joyeuses fêtes et une merveilleuse année 2026 ! / ¡Deseandoles unas felices fiestas y un próspero año 2026 a todos! 📸 Antoine Saito (1-3) / Gary Payne (4)

It is fantastic to see her legacy honored with this award—not only for her work here, but for everything she has contributed to our field. I am deeply proud & grateful to have partnered with Martha in serving this remarkable orchestra and the San Diego community. 📸 @toddrphoto

I am so happy that Martha Gilmer is receiving @musicalamerica's Impresario of the Year award. From the beginning of our partnership, she has worked tirelessly on behalf of the @SanDiegoSymph, inspiring everyone within the organization through her remarkable leadership.

@toddrphoto Read the full press release here: bit.ly/48Go3fL

It’s deeply inspiring to welcome this next generation of leaders into our musical family. [3/3] 📸 @toddrphoto

Mentorship is at the heart of what makes music flourish. I am so pleased to announce the launch of my 2025/26 Conducting Fellowship Program with @SanDiegoSymph – a new initiative designed to cultivate the next generation of orchestral leaders. [1/3]

Announcing the Inaugural San Diego Symphony Conducting Fellowship Cohort! Seven emerging conductors will train with @rafaelpayare and lead performances across the region in 2025–26: Xia, Rais-Sherman, McFadden, Montes Olivar, Karni, Aspinall & Bovell. 🔗 sandiegosymphony.org/media/wouekoht…

We’re joined by Latin Grammy-winning trumpeter, @pacho_flores! 🤩🎺 Flores teams up with fellow Venezuelan @rafaelpayare to perform Altar de Bronce (Altar of Bronze), a trumpet concerto written especially for him by our Featured Composer @GOrtizcomposer. Its two movements, ‘Tin’ and ‘Copper’, both burst with drama, colour, and the irresistible rhythms of Mexican popular music. Expect a true fiesta tonight in Leicester (@demontforthall), and again tomorrow evening in London (@southbankcentre)! ✨ 🎟️ Book now: philharmonia.co.uk/series/symphon…