Mondavi Center

“What’s love got to do with it?” A lot, according to David Suzuki.

After a lifetime devoted to climate activism, internationally renowned environmentalists David Suzuki and Tara Cullis take to the stage in an intimate and inspiring theatre experience. This Director's Choice event — shows that our programming directors are particularly excited to share with our audience — offers a rare behind-the-scenes look at a life shaped by deep love, commitment, and the courage to act; they reflect on their extraordinary 50-year partnership in life and work.

What You Won’t Do For Love is a personal and poetic performance, and a powerful reminder that change begins with connection. What if we could love the planet as much as we love one another?

Tickets are now on sale for Why Not Theatre and all 2026-27 season shows. Visit mondaviarts.org

[Image Description: David Suzuki and Tara Cullis slightly turned to each other on stage, standing in front of a dining table. Tara has her hand on David's shoulder.]

Explore extraordinary classical music during the 26/27 season! Tickets and info at mondaviarts.org

Orpheus Chamber Orchestra with Isata Kanneh Mason, piano — November 7, 2026
Arcis Saxophone Quartet — November 8, 2026
San Francisco Symphony with Marin Alsop, conductor and Nemanja Radulović, violin — January 23, 2027
Barbara K. Jackson Rising Stars of Opera — February 7, 2027
Calidore String Quartet — February 28, 2027
Yeol Eum Son, piano — April 7, 2027
Jordi Savall and Le Concert des Nations — April 24, 2027
Rosamunde String Quartet — April 25, 2027
National Symphony Orchestra with Gianandrea Noseda, music director & conductor and Ray Chen, violin — April 27, 2027
Alisa Weilerstein, cello and Inon Barnatan, piano — May 13, 2027

[Image Description: Images of each of the 26-27 classical performers. See alt text for additional description.]

Your Beethoven Final 4 Symphony Based on Your Zodiac Element:

Earth: Symphony No. 6 in F Major, Op. 68 (“Pastoral”)
Unlike most symphonies of its time, this one is explicitly programmatic—it tells a story. Beethoven depicts scenes of nature rather than abstract emotion: arriving in the countryside, a flowing brook, a rustic dance, a sudden thunderstorm, and a peaceful aftermath. It’s gentle, lyrical, and vividly descriptive, showing Beethoven’s deep appreciation for the natural world.

Fire: Symphony No. 7 in A Major, Op. 92
Often described as a celebration of rhythm, this symphony is energetic and dance-like from start to finish. Richard Wagner famously called it the “apotheosis of the dance.” The second movement stands out for its solemn, hypnotic pulse, contrasting with the exuberant outer movements. It feels both powerful and relentlessly forward-moving.

Water: Symphony No. 8 in F Major, Op. 93
Shorter and more compact, this symphony is playful, witty, and full of surprises. It looks back to Classical-era clarity (think Joseph Haydn), but with Beethoven’s signature humor and quirks. One movement even humorously mimics a ticking metronome, reflecting contemporary fascination with new musical technology.

Wind: Symphony No. 9 in D Minor, Op. 125 (“Choral”)
A groundbreaking work, this symphony expands the form by adding chorus and vocal soloists in its final movement. Setting Friedrich Schiller’s “Ode to Joy,” it delivers a powerful message of unity and brotherhood. The scale is monumental, the emotional range vast—from darkness to triumph—and its influence on Western music is unmatched.

Catch Christopher Taylor playing Liszt Transcriptions of Beethoven's Final Four Symphonies on June 5 & 7. Link in bio!

[Image Description:
1: overlapping image of a blue-scale Beethoven holding a writing instrument with the text: Your Beethoven Final 4 Symphony Based on Your Zodiac Element. Check the caption to learn more about your symphony.

2: Collage of images representing the Earth, such as trees, clouds, and nature, with text at the bottom that reads: Symphony No. 6 in F Major, Op. 68

3: Collage of images representing fire, such as colorful images of flames and people dancing, with text at the bottom that reads: Symphony No. 7 in A Major, Op. 92

4: Collage of images representing water, such as people playing in and touching the water, with text at the bottom that reads: Symphony No. 8 in F Major, Op. 93

5: Collage of images representing wind, such as blurry images and shadows of people running and curtains blowing, with text at the bottom that reads: Symphony No. 9 in D Minor, Op. 125

6: Graphic of Beethoven and Christopher Taylor with text next to the pictures that reads: Mondavi Center, Beethoven, Liszt Transcriptions of Symphonies 6-9, Performed by pianist Christopher Taylor, June 5 & 7]

The Arcis Saxophone Quartet, named after Munich's iconic Arcis Street, has emerged as one of the most vibrant and active classical ensembles globally. They come to the Mondavi Center on Sunday, November 8 as one of our 26-27 Director's Choice events — shows that our programming directors are particularly excited to share with our audience.

Inspired by Johann Sebastian Bach’s The Well-Tempered Clavier, their program presents a kaleidoscope of preludes and fugues where the timeless mastery of Johann Sebastian Bach's meets the creativity of musicians and composers from all centuries and styles.

Tickets are now on sale for Arcis Saxophone Quartet and all 2026-27 season shows. https://www.mondaviarts.org/whats-on/arcis-saxophone-quartet

[Image Description: Arcis Saxophone Quartet posing in black outfits against a white background while holding golden saxophones. A "DIRECTOR'S CHOICE" logo is at the top left.]

MacArthur Fellow and Pulitzer Prize finalist Tommy Orange is the author of the bestselling novel "There There", a multigenerational portrait of urban Native American life. He comes as a speaker to the Mondavi Center on Wednesday, November 4 as one of our 26-27 Director's Choice events — shows that our programming directors are particularly excited to share with our audience.

Centered on communities often overlooked, "There There" tells the story of lives shaped by profound spirituality as well as the ongoing realities of addiction, abuse, and loss. His newest book, "Wandering Stars", continues this exploration in a powerful narrative of epigenetic and generational trauma. Tracing the legacies of the Sand Creek Massacre of 1864 and the Carlisle Indian Industrial School, the novel follows three generations of a family as they reckon with history, inheritance, and survival.

Tickets are on sale now! Get yours at https://www.mondaviarts.org/whats-on/tommy-orange

[Image Description: Tommy Orange looking forward with a neutral expression against a solid purple background. He has short dark hair and is wearing a black button-up shirt. In the upper left corner, a small white rectangle contains the text "DIRECTOR'S CHOICE." Below it, two of his book covers are stacked vertically: the top cover is the bright orange and yellow design for There There, featuring two black feathers, and the bottom cover is the vibrant blue design for Wandering Stars, decorated with small orange and white starburst shapes.]