Beethoven's Symphony No. 3, "Eroica": UMD Symphony Orchestra

The UMD Symphony Orchestra begins its 2026–27 season with Ludwig van Beethoven’s Symphony No. 3 in E-flat Major, Op. 55, “Eroica,” a work that transformed the possibilities of the symphony and shaped orchestral music for generations. Under music director David Neely, the program also features music by Carlos Simon and Nikolai Rimsky-Korsakov.

Beethoven initially dedicated the symphony to Napoleon Bonaparte, but withdrew that tribute after Napoleon declared himself emperor and abandoned the ideals of the French Revolution. The work was written during a difficult period in Beethoven’s life, following his “Heiligenstadt Testament,” in which he described the effects of his increasing deafness and its impact on his mental health. “Eroica” is widely associated with the emergence of Beethoven’s heroic style and is often understood as an artistic response to personal adversity.

When: Saturday, October 3, 2026

Showtimes: 8:00 p.m.

Program: Carlos Simon’s *Festive Fanfare and Overture*; Nikolai Rimsky-Korsakov’s *Capriccio Espagnol*; and Beethoven’s Symphony No. 3 in E-flat Major, Op. 55, “Eroica.”

Lineup: UMD Symphony Orchestra, led by music director David Neely.

Run time: Approximately two hours.

Tickets: Regular tickets are $30 plus a $5 booking fee. Student and youth tickets are $10.

Seating: Reserved seating.

Venue: Dekelboum Concert Hall at The Clarice Smith Performing Arts Center.

Livestream: Yes; the performance is available as a livestream.

Accessibility: The Clarice offers wheelchair-accessible and size-inclusive seating, large-print programs, assisted listening devices, adult- and child-friendly sensory packs, and quiet spaces upon request. ASL interpretation, audio description, and captioning are available for select events or by patron request at least six weeks in advance.