HNOC to Host 18th Annual Musical Louisiana Concert: “Echoes of Innovation”
The free concert will honor 19th-century composers and innovators at St. Louis Cathedral and features the Louisiana Philharmonic Orchestra and special guests.
New Orleans (February 4, 2026)—The Historic New Orleans Collection (HNOC) will copresent the 18th annual Musical Louisiana: America’s Cultural Heritage concert with the Louisiana Philharmonic Orchestra (LPO) and Treme’s Petit Jazz Museum at St. Louis Cathedral on Wednesday, March 4. Admission is free.
Curated by Alvin Jackson of Treme’s Petit Jazz Museum, the concert will present “Echoes of Innovation” celebrating 19th-century composers and innovators featuring works by Basile Barès, Charles Lucien Lambert, Louis Moreau Gottschalk, Edmond Dédé, Thomas J. Martin, and more. Pairing composers alongside civic and cultural pioneers of their day, “Echoes of Innovation” reflects the interplay of art and society as a reminder that art never exists in isolation—its creation is always rooted in the world that shapes it.
“Almost eight years after my initial foray into the great world of classical music, I finally met a group of like minded people who shared my belief that this historic music needed to be properly presented to the public. It is with this combined passion and creative nuances for these Afro-Creoles composers of classical music that has inspired us to do more to bridge the gap between that which for centuries has divided and silenced the world of music in America,” said Jackson.
The GRAMMY® Award-winning LPO will be joined by guest artists Doreen Ketchens, OperaCréole, Oscar Rossignoli, and Geovane Santos under the baton of Daniela Candillari.
“This collaboration allows us to honor the brilliant 19th-century Creole innovators whose work laid the foundation for the New Orleans sound we cherish today,” said LPO Executive Director Anwar Nasir. “By bringing these voices to the forefront, we are celebrating the profound truth that our music and our history are inextricably linked.”
Jackson will host a preconcert talk at HNOC’s Williams Research Center (410 Chartres St.) before the concert. The discussion, facilitated by historian Jari C. Honora, will begin at 6 p.m. (doors open at 5:30 p.m.) and conclude in time for attendees to walk to St. Louis Cathedral for the concert.
“Since 2007, Musical Louisiana: America’s Cultural Heritage has showcased Louisiana’s contributions to the world of classical music,” said HNOC President and CEO Daniel Hammer. “By bringing these archival stories to life in the heart of the city, HNOC serves as more than just a repository; HNOC is a vital steward of our shared identity, ensuring that the innovations of the past remain a living source of inspiration for our community today.”
Musical Louisiana is a free, educational concert for music lovers in New Orleans and throughout the state. Dedicated to the study of Louisiana’s contributions to the world of classical music, the award-winning concert series reaches an audience ofmore than 30,000 individuals through live radio broadcasts and online video streaming. This year’s concert will be streamed live on LPOmusic.comOpens in new tab and WLAE.comOpens in new tab.
This program is made possible with support from Steinway Piano Gallery of New Orleans and New Orleans Tourism and Cultural Fund. Additional support is provided by the New Orleans City Council–Caesars New Orleans Casino Community Support Grant.
Musical Louisiana is free and open to the public, and noregistration is required. Seating at St. Louis Cathedral will be available on a first-come, first-served basis. Doors for the concert open at 7 p.m. Learn more and sign up for event updates below.
Echoes of Innovation
Musical Louisiana: America’s Cultural Heritage
HNOC’s annual free concert celebrating Louisiana’s contributions to music history, copresented with the Louisiana Philharmonic Orchestra
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