Cate Blanchett is booked to lend her talents to the L.A. Phil in a surprising way.
The Oscar winner is confirmed to narrate four performances of Beethoven’s Egmont under the direction of music and artistic director Gustavo Dudamel in February 2026. Described as a “bold reimagining,” the production casts Blanchett as Egmont, a role that has traditionally been filled by a male narrator. Credit for the new take and the gender swap goes to Slave Play breakout Jeremy O. Harris.
The piece, set to feature soprano Elena Villalón, is said to tackle themes of resistance, freedom and heroism. It is part of a program that will open with the world premiere of Ricardo Lorenz’s Humboldt’s Nature, a work inspired by the South American expeditions of Alexander von Humboldt, the visionary philosopher and Beethoven contemporary, and also feature pianist Yunchan Lim performing Schumann’s masterful Piano Concerto.
Performances are set to take place at Walt Disney Concert Hall on Feb. 12-15, 2026. Tickets for the 25/26 season are now available.
Blanchett starred in Australian director Warwick Thornton’s The New Boy in a role that the filmmaker swapped from a male priest to a female nun as inspired by the actress’ involvement. She also played Bob Dylan in 2007’s I’m Not There. She had the industry buzzing about powerful conductors thanks to an acclaimed and award winning performance in Todd Field’s Tár. She’s next expected at the Venice Film Festival to support a role in Jim Jarmusch’s latest film, Father Mother Sister Brother.
In addition to Slave Play, Harris wrote Daddy, which opened in the U.K. at Almeida Theatre in March 2022. His Hollywood credits include co-writing A24’s Zola alongside director Janicza Bravo, HBO’s Euphoria and Irma Vep. He is currently the artistic director for the Williamstown Theatre Festival, where his most recent play, Spirit of the People, premiered this summer. He’s next seen opposite Charli XCX in Pete Ohs’ Erupjca, which will have its world premiere at the Toronto International Film Festival next month.