Beethoven’s Ninth as part of the Cultural Olympiad

IOn the occasion of the Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Olympic Games , the Città metropolitana di Milano and the Fondazione Orchestra Sinfonica e Coro Sinfonico di Milano are presenting an event of strong artistic and symbolic value: a performance of Ludwig van Beethoven’s Symphony No. 9 in D minor, Op. 125 , scheduled for Saturday 14 February at 5:00 pm at the Sala Verdi of the Milan Conservatory , conducted by Music Director Emmanuel Tjeknavorian .

Already chosen by the European Union as its official anthem, Schiller’s Ode to Joy, set to music by Beethoven in the final movement of the Ninth Symphony, embodies the highest ideals of peace, brotherhood and unity among peoples—a unity that also embraces every form of diversity, as the Chorus sings in the Andante maestoso of the last movement: “Embrace, you millions! / This kiss to all the world!”

At the heart of the event, as desired by the organisers, lies the theme of cultural accessibility, understood as the universal right to participate in and enjoy art and beauty, beyond any barrier. In full harmony with the values of inclusion that define the Olympic and Paralympic Games, a large section of the stalls will be reserved for people with sensory disabilities (deaf and hard of hearing, blind and partially sighted) and intellectual disabilities. They will also be provided with an accessible programme booklet, enriched with audio descriptions, videos in LIS (Italian Sign Language) and Easy-to-Read content, as well as an audio listening guide available via a dedicated app.

Tickets will go on sale from 17 January at sinfonicadimilano.org or at the Auditorium di Milano box office (Largo Mahler, Tuesday to Sunday, 12:00 pm–7:00 pm). Tel. +39 02 83389401/402, e-mail: [email protected]