San Antonio TX, August 29, 2025
News Summary
The San Antonio Philharmonic has appointed Maestro Felipe Tristán as its new Associate Conductor. Tristán’s first performance will be leading ‘Juan Gabriel: A Philharmonic Tribute’ showcasing a multimedia concert experience. The Philharmonic aims to blend innovative programming with cultural heritage, emphasizing accessibility for veterans and students. The tribute concerts are scheduled for September 12–14, 2025, at the Scottish Rite Hall, the Philharmonic’s permanent home. Tickets are available from $25, with special provisions for accessibility.
San Antonio — The San Antonio Philharmonic has named Maestro Felipe Tristán as its new Associate Conductor, and he will make his first appearance in the role leading “Juan Gabriel: A Philharmonic Tribute” from September 12–14, 2025 at the Scottish Rite Hall in downtown San Antonio. The tribute series will pair live orchestration with authorized video and audio projections of Juan Gabriel’s performances to create a synchronized multimedia concert experience. Tickets start at $25, with donated tickets set aside for veterans and students.
Appointment and upcoming concerts
The Philharmonic’s appointment of Felipe Tristán places a conductor recognized internationally among its leadership ranks. His first engagements with the organization center on the multi-night Juan Gabriel tribute, a project designed to reflect community heritage through innovative programming. The Scottish Rite Hall has been established as the Philharmonic’s permanent home, and the ensemble plans to present the tribute there as part of a broader 2025–26 season that emphasizes accessibility and cultural connection.
Felipe Tristán: career highlights and distinctions
Felipe Tristán is described by the organization as one of the most distinguished Mexican conductors of his generation. His professional responsibilities have included serving as Interim Artistic Director of the Brooklyn Symphony Orchestra and as Principal Conductor of Ballet de Monterrey. Internationally, Tristán has made debut appearances in Vienna with the Prague Philharmonic and in Italy with the Orchestra Filarmonica della Calabria. His performances and collaborations have taken place at major venues and events such as Carnegie Hall, Lincoln Center, and at the MET Gala.
In 2024, Tristán became the first Mexican conductor to receive Poland’s Muzyczne Orły Award for Best Recording, honored for his album “Flute Concertos – Penderecki & Reinecke”. His background and dual cultural identity are noted as factors that inform programming choices and outreach efforts intended to resonate with San Antonio’s diverse community.
Organizational priorities and season planning
The San Antonio Philharmonic has emphasized innovative programming that reflects the region’s cultural heritage while seeking broad community access. Under Executive Director Roberto Trevino, the organization has pursued a mission focused on community prioritization. Initial funding challenges have been acknowledged by leadership, but the Philharmonic intends to keep offerings accessible through lower-priced tickets and donated admissions for target groups such as veterans and students.
Ticketing, venue and accessibility
The upcoming Juan Gabriel tribute series will be staged at the Scottish Rite Theater, now the Philharmonic’s permanent performance home. Ticket prices for the tribute begin at $25. The organization has allocated donated tickets specifically for veterans and students to increase access. Subscriptions for the 2025–26 classical concert series are currently available through the Philharmonic’s official website.
2025–26 season highlights
The Philharmonic’s announced season includes a variety of events designed to appeal to different audiences: the multimedia Juan Gabriel tribute, a planned Lucha Libre themed performance, and a full presentation of Carmina Burana. The classic concert series will feature guest artists and programs that include works by composers such as Bach and Gershwin, among others.
Context and cultural significance
The appointment and the programming choices emphasize a curatorial approach that blends traditional orchestral repertoire with culturally resonant, crossover projects. Tristán’s participation is framed as both an artistic appointment and a symbolic linkage between the Philharmonic and San Antonio’s large Mexican-American community. The multimedia tribute to Juan Gabriel is positioned as an example of how the Philharmonic plans to combine popular cultural touchstones with live symphonic presentation.
| Key Feature | Detail |
|---|---|
| Associate Conductor | Felipe Tristán |
| First Appearance | Juan Gabriel: A Philharmonic Tribute, Sept 12–14, 2025 |
| Venue | Scottish Rite Hall (Scottish Rite Theater), downtown San Antonio |
| Ticket Starting Price | $25 (donated tickets for veterans and students) |
| Notable Award | Muzyczne Orły Award (Poland), Best Recording, 2024 |
| Executive Director | Roberto Trevino |
Event timeline
| Date/Time | Event | Status/Source |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | Muzyczne Orły Award for Best Recording awarded to Felipe Tristán | Confirmed (award announcement) |
| Recent (2024–2025) | Felipe Tristán appointed Associate Conductor of the San Antonio Philharmonic | Announced by the organization |
| Sept 12–14, 2025 | Juan Gabriel: A Philharmonic Tribute concerts at Scottish Rite Hall | Upcoming, tickets on sale |
| 2025–26 season | Additional events include Lucha Libre-themed performance and Carmina Burana | Planned for season programming |
Planned programming mix (illustrative)
The following simple visual chart provides an illustrative breakdown of the Philharmonic’s announced program types for the 2025–26 season. Numbers are illustrative and intended to show emphasis by program type.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is Felipe Tristán?
Felipe Tristán is a Mexican-American conductor appointed as Associate Conductor of the San Antonio Philharmonic, with experience as Interim Artistic Director of the Brooklyn Symphony Orchestra and Principal Conductor of Ballet de Monterrey, and international debuts in Vienna and Italy.
When and where are the Juan Gabriel tribute concerts?
The tribute concerts are scheduled for September 12–14, 2025, at the Scottish Rite Hall in downtown San Antonio.
What is unique about the Juan Gabriel tribute concerts?
The concerts will combine live orchestration with authorized video and audio projections of Juan Gabriel’s performances, synchronized to create a multimedia tribute.
How much do tickets cost and are there discounts?
Tickets for the tribute series start at $25. Donated tickets are available for veterans and students to improve accessibility.
Where is the Philharmonic’s permanent home?
The Scottish Rite Theater has been designated as the permanent home for the San Antonio Philharmonic.
What else is planned for the 2025–26 season?
The season includes a Lucha Libre-themed performance, a presentation of Carmina Burana, and a classical concert series featuring works by composers such as Bach and Gershwin. Subscriptions are currently available on the Philharmonic’s website.
Deeper Dive: News & Info About This Topic
HERE Resources
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Additional Resources
- Broadway World: Felipe Tristan Appointed
- Wikipedia: Felipe Tristán
- KSAT: Cultural Programming Transformations
- Google Search: San Antonio Philharmonic
- Express News: New Philharmonic Season
- Google Scholar: San Antonio Philharmonic
- Culture Map: Juan Gabriel Tribute
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Juan Gabriel
- Fox San Antonio: Selena Quintanilla Tribute
- Google News: Selena Quintanilla Tribute
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