Abbado will lead a three-week Mozart festival in April 2006, marking the 250th anniversary of the composer's birth. The repertoire includes the last three symphonies, the Coronation Mass, and a semi-staged production of CosÐ fan tutte.
Other highlights include the world premiere of Jennifer Higdon's Oboe Concerto and performances with James Sewell Ballet featuring a new dance set to Schoenberg's Serenade.
Visiting soloists include pianists Garrick Ohlsson and Yefim Bronfman; Jeffrey Kahane and Piotr Anderszewski will both lead the SPCO in Mozart piano concertos from the piano.