McCarter’s Fall 2026 Playlist

From the Desk of Paula Abreu

As Director of Presented Programming, I'm thrilled to introduce our 2026-27 Presented season. I'm delighted to share this playlist, assembled by our Presented Programming Manager, Anna Villegas, which paints a beautiful, wide-spanning musical picture of this year's exciting lineup. 

This playlist, along with its thoughtful liner notes, offers a perfect introduction to some of the performers you'll see on our stages, alongside favorite tunes from beloved Princeton artists. 

Thank you for being part of the McCarter community. We hope to see you soon at the theater!  

Paula Abreu  
Director of Presented Programming, William Lockwood, Jr. Chair

Liner Notes

Sun Ra Arkestra 

1. “Lights on a Satellite” by Sun Ra Arkestra 

The opening track to their 2024 album of the same name, Sun Ra Arkestra's "Lights on a Satellite" sets a perfect tone for our Fall '26 Mixtape. Indefinable yet flowing, this track also captures the spirit of our 26-27 season. Listen openly and allow the soundscape to transport you. 

Mei Semones 

2. "Dumb Feeling" by Mei Semones 

3. "Koneko" by Mei Semones 

"Dumb Feeling" is a personal favorite, and it encapsulates everything we love about Mei Semones: fluid guitar, Japanese and English lyrics, indie rock jamming, and a clear bossa nova influence. It's the complete Mei package, and what else could we ask for? "Koneko", a duet with Liana Flores, serves as just one recent example of Mei's status as a dynamic collaborator. 

Edmar Castañeda Quartet 

4. "Agua Fresca" by Edmar Castañeda 

5. "For Jaco" by Edmar Castañeda 

Edmar Castañeda regularly takes the harp into new dimensions, and these two tracks showcase his ability to move between genres with remarkable ease. "Agua Fresca", Edmar's take on a song he has been playing since childhood, exhibits a clear nod to his Latin roots. "For Jaco" uses a different musical flavor entirely to pay tribute to legendary bassist Jaco Pastorius. With the range demonstrated between these two tracks alone, it's no wonder why iconic musicians running the gamut from Wynton Marsalis to Sting have sought his collaboration.  

Mariza 

6. "Loucura" by Mariza 

7. "Rosa Branca" by Mariza 

Mariza, a true Portuguese cultural ambassador, has spent her career bringing the magic of fado to the masses. Choosing two songs to represent her career thus far, which includes over fifty platinum records, is a tall order. Still, "Loucura" and "Rosa Branca" capture the passion with which she approaches everything she records. 

Cécile McLorin Salvant 

8. "Expanse" by Cécile McLorin Salvant 

9. "Stepsisters' Lament" by Cécile McLorin Salvant 

We can't wait to welcome Cécile McLorin Salvant back to McCarter, and these tracks are favorites of our Patron Services Manager, Patrick Loughstein. Cécile has absolutely no limitations as an artist. Is there anyone else who could create an ethereal gem like "Expanse" and pull off a Rodgers & Hammerstein song about being jealous of Cinderella? Patrick and I highly doubt it. 

London City Ballet

10. "Stravinsky: The Firebird: Infernal Dance of King Kashchei" by Igor Stravinsky and Beatrice Rana 

When the London City Ballet visits McCarter in November, they plan to conclude their performance with a rare revival of Glen Tetley’s Firebird. Here, we're building the anticipation by previewing a bit of the music: a selection from Stravinsky's legendary orchestral work, The Firebird. 

Suzanne Vega

11. "Luka" by Suzanne Vega 

12. "Speakers' Corner" by Suzanne Vega 

Since "Luka" brought her widespread recognition, Suzanne Vega has been a mainstay among the most highly respected songwriters of her generation. But her development as an artist didn't stop there; songs like "Speakers' Corner", a single off 2025's Flying with Angels, demonstrate how her artistry remains as fresh and interesting as it was in the earliest days of her career. 

Eric Lu

13. "Nocturne No. 12 in C Minor, OP. 48 No. 1" by Frédéric Chopin and Maria João Pires 

14. "10 Preludes, Op. 23: No. 5 in G Minor (Alla marcia)" by Sergei Rachmaninoff and Vladimir Ashkenazy 

In his McCarter debut, revelatory pianist Eric Lu has planned a program that includes works by Chopin and Rachmaninoff. These tracks help set the tone as we await Eric's live interpretation of these melodies. 

Rufus Wainwright

15. "Oh What a World" by Rufus Wainwright 

16. "Puttin' on the Ritz" by Rufus Wainwright 

Thankfully, Rufus Wainwright's November performance will be centered around selections from his albums Rufus does Judy at Carnegie Hall, Want One, and Want Two. Otherwise, it would've been nearly impossible to choose just two songs from his extensive, celebrated song catalogue to include here. These two tracks are irresistible and addicting; feel free to put them on repeat for a bit before moving on. 

The Brandenburg Concertos

17. "Bach, JS: Brandenburg Concerto No. 6 in B-Flat Major, BWV 1051: III. Allegro" by Johann Sebastian Back and Orchestra of the Age of Enlightenment 

The lovely, bright quality of Bach's Brandenburg Concertos speaks for itself. Here, the closing movement will wrap up our playlist with the festive energy that only the Brandenburg Concertos can provide.