Mendelssohn, Physics, 1826 Bytown and Hans Zimmer: Music and Beyond’s 16th Festival has something for everyone

Article written by Evan Simcoe, Music and Beyond

What do Bach, Duke Ellington, Vivaldi and Hans Zimmer have in common? Each

composer’s music is featured in Music and Beyond’s 2026 Festival, of course! The festival

runs from July 4th to 17th and features events from a wide variety of artistic disciplines. Fans

of jazz, storytelling, choir music, and tango dancing will not be disappointed with this

year’s lineup.

The festival kicks off with Opening Gala: Celebrating Ottawa, a concert that features circus

artists from Cirque Fantastic alongside local musicians like percussionist Zac Pulak and

organist Matthew Larkin, among others.

Artistic and Executive Director Julian Armour shares his excitement for this year’s edition of

the festival: “I’m really happy with the way the festival has come together this year. The

program for the Ottawa 200 series really stands out. The audience will hear the wide variety

of music people would have heard in Bytown in 1826.” Supported by Ottawa 200 and

Ottawa Tourism, this new five-concert cultural tourism initiative created specifically for

Ottawa’s 200th anniversary highlights the city’s history through music, narration, archival

imagery, and professionally filmed performance.

Returning yet again this year, Music at Cumberland Heritage Village Museum is an event for

the whole family: the grounds of the site will be filled with more than 100 concerts,

activities, and games. “It’s exciting to see how Music and Beyond caters to so many

different audiences,” says Evan Simcoe, the festival’s promotions assistant. “An event like

Music at Cumberland Heritage Village Museum gives young audiences the chance to

experience classical music for the very first time in an accessible way, and it’s encouraging

to see how they connect with it.”

Committed to fostering the next generation of musicians, Music and Beyond will also

welcome five young pianists to the Steinway Young Laureates Spotlight concert on July 12. Ottawa native Kerson Leong will be featured in two events during this year’s festival: his

recital with Thirteen Strings Orchestra entitled Divine and the Untamed, as well as an

educational talk alongside his father, Dr. Kin-Wai Leong, who will speak about the

intersection of physics and music in How Resonance and Infinities Enhance the Musical

Experience.

Music and Beyond invites performers from around the globe. Artists joining this year’s

festival include The King’s Singers from the United Kingdom, and Russian-American pianist

Arsentiy Kharitonov, among others.

The festival hosts 40 different events in the span of 14 days: they start their Premium

concert series with Kim Richardson sings Duke Ellington with the Orchestre National de

Jazz de Montreal. While festival passholders receive discounts to Premium events,

audience members are not required to purchase a pass to attend a Premium event.

Discounts for youth are available at all events; more information about passes and pricing

can be found on the festival’s website.