Letter of Welcome from 2025 Festival Director Renée Fleming

Welcome to the 2025 May Festival!

I am delighted to serve as 2025 Festival Director. For over 150 years, the May Festival has showcased the finest in choral music. It is a privilege to carry this legacy forward with the new artistic model. With a different Director each year, this celebration offers fresh perspectives, artistic innovation and exciting new collaborations. It is exciting to share the stage with fantastic musicians like Director of Choruses Matthew Swanson, the May Festival Choruses, and maestros Juanjo Mena, Robert Moody and Ramón Tebar.

Beyond music’s power to express the most profound ideas and feelings, we are learning more every day about the creative arts’ ability to improve our health and well-being. This year’s Festival has been carefully curated to highlight these benefits. On the stage of Music Hall, you will hear stories about the life of iconic American artist Georgia O’Keeffe; the voice of nature that, though imperiled, inspires us; a composer reconciling his feelings about death; and the universal experiences that carry us from dusk to dawn.

The founding of the May Festival in 1873 catalyzed Cincinnati’s renown for its vibrant music and arts scene. This would not be possible without the passionate audience that gives artists the opportunity to offer new and unexpected musical narratives alongside revered works. From all of us on stage, we are grateful for your dedication to the arts and your support of the Cincinnati May Festival. Together, we will create unforgettable moments and share the joy and unity that only live music can bring. Thank you for being with us at the 2025 May Festival!

Renée Fleming
2025 Festival Director