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 ph

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