Carnival of the Animals: Family Concert

Camille Saint-Saëns’ playful musical menagerie introduces young listeners to the orchestra through narration, movement and vivid character pieces at Gusman Concert Hall. The family concert takes place Saturday, January 16 as part of the Frost School of Music’s 2026-2027 season, bringing lions, kangaroos, swans and other animals to life through the composer’s imaginative score. Narration and visual elements help guide audiences through the work while highlighting the different sounds and personalities of the orchestra. Written in 1886, The Carnival of the Animals is a suite of short movements in which Saint-Saëns uses instruments and musical gestures to portray a variety of creatures, from the stately lion to the graceful swan. The program is designed as an accessible introduction to orchestral music for families and first-time concertgoers.