Month: August 2025

In the first of the show’s Sunday matinees during the University of Richmond’s fall semester, previews of coming attractions: Artists performing in Richmond’s 2025-26 classical season, among them pianist Emanuel Ax, violinist Midori, the Dover Quartet and the Apollo’s Fire Baroque Orchestra.

1-3 p.m. EDT
1700-1900 UTC
WDCE, University of Richmond
90.1 FM
http://wdce.net

J.S. Bach: Double Concerto in C minor, BWV 1060
Debra Nagy, oboe
Johanna Novum, violin
Apollo’s Fire Baroque Orchestra/Jeannette Sorrell
(Avie)

Debussy: Violin Sonata in G minor
Midori, violin
Robert McDonald, piano
(Sony Classical)

James Lee III: Quintet for clarinet & string quartet
Anthony McGill, clarinet
Pacifica Quartet
(Çedille)

Rachmaninoff: “Études tableaux,” Op. 33, No. 1
Alexander Paley, piano
(La Música)

Beethoven: Quartet in F minor, Op. 95 (“Serioso”)
Dover Quartet
(Çedille)

Chopin: Piano Trio in G minor, Op. 8 –
I: Allegro con fuoco
II: Scherzo: Vivace
Emanuel Ax, piano
Pamela Frank, violin
Yo-Yo Ma, cello
(Sony Classical)

Beethoven: “12 Variations in F major on ‘Se vuol’ballare’
from Mozart’s ‘The Marriage of Figaro,’ ” WoO 40
Francesca Dego, violin
Francesca Leonardi, piano
(Deutsche Grammophon)

Rachmaninoff: Prelude in C sharp minor
Alexander Paley, piano
(La Música)

Labor Day weekend has arrived, and with it, Letter V’s overview of the classical season to come in the Richmond area.

This September-to-June thumbnail calendar covers all major ticketed performances and many free or donation-requested events. Long as it is, the list is incomplete: Several church and community concert series, most choral programs and some college performances have yet to be announced. Letter V’s events calendars, posted on the first of each month, will fill in those blanks.

Given highbrow Richmond’s weekend-centric scheduling, conflicts abound. Some collisions, or commutes from matinees to evening events, can be avoided by choosing alternate dates in two-performance offerings. Some dates, though, pose either-or attendance choices.

Next week, I’ll list my choices of the coming season’s most noteworthy classical and classical-adjacent offerings. Getting to three of them might require ticket exchanges and other changes of plans, and then result in a jam-packed weekend of wildly varied music. Your results may be similar on some weekends.

Following the calendar, you’ll find links to Letter V’s previously posted articles on 2025-26 seasons, with program details (if currently known) and ticket prices, and addresses, phone numbers and websites of the area’s classical presenters and the venues for their events. All are in Richmond unless listed otherwise.

An asterisk (*) denotes a free or donation-requested event. Some free concerts require advance registration.

Here goes:

SEPTEMBER
6 (500 Old Locke Lane) – Belvedere Series: Dominic Salerni, violin; Joshua Halpern, cello; Ingrid Keller, piano. (fund-raising event)
12 (Virginia Museum of History & Culture) – Richmond Symphony, Valentina Peleggi conducting; Daisuke Yamamoto, violin. (fund-raising event)
12 (Modlin Arts Center, University of Richmond) – Modlin Arts: Brian Stokes Mitchell, vocalist.
13 (Altria Theater) – Richmond Symphony Pops, conductor TBA; Cody Fry, vocalist.
*13 (Gellman Room, Richmond Public Library) – RVA Baroque.
14 (Modlin Arts Center, University of Richmond) – Modlin Arts: Pacifica Quartet; Anthony McGill, clarinet.
14 (Singleton Arts Center, Virginia Commonwealth University) – Rennolds Chamber Concerts: Alessio Bax & Lucille Chung, pianos.
15 (First Unitarian Universalist Church) – Chamber Music Society of Central Virginia: Rebecca Anderson & Grant Houston, violins; Tanner Menees, viola; Mary Boodell, flute; David Lemelin, clarinet; Tom Schneider, bassoon; Devin Gossett, French horn; Mimi Solomon, piano.
20-21 (Carpenter Theatre, Dominion Energy Center) – Richmond Symphony, Chia-Hsuan Lin conducting; American Horn Quartet.
21 (Ryan Recital Hall, St. Christopher’s School) – Belvedere Series: Claire Bourg & Rebecca Anderson, violins; Dana Kelley, viola; Joshua Halpern & Alan Richardson, cellos; Ingrid Keller, piano.
25 (Hardywood Park Craft Brewery) – Richmond Symphony, Hae Lee conducting.
*26 (River Road Church, Baptist) – Jory Vinikour, harpsichord.
*27 (Chimborazo Park) – Richmond Symphony, conductor TBA.
*27 (Pocahontas State Park, Chesterfield County) – Richmond Symphony, conductor TBA. ($10 parking fee)

OCTOBER
3 (Carpenter Theatre, Dominion Energy Center) – Virginia Opera, Adam Turner conducting. “One Hour – Three Acts – #NoFilter:” Christopher Weiss & John de los Santos: “Service Provider;” Robert Patterson & Mark Campbell: “The Whole Truth;” Jake Heggie & Gene Scheer: “Cinderella 99.”
*5 (Modlin Arts Center, University of Richmond) – Ronald Crutcher, cello; pianist TBA.
*7 (St. Stephen’s Episcopal Church) – Richmond chapter, American Guild of Organists Repertoire Recital Series: Thomas Sheehan, organ.
*9 (Perkinson Recital Hall, North Court, University of Richmond) – Nathan Sherman, viola & electronica.
*10 (St. Benedict Catholic Church) – Three Notch’d Road baroque ensemble.
11 (Carpenter Theatre, Dominion Energy Center) – Richmond Symphony Pops, Valentina Peleggi conducting.
12 (St. Mary’s Episcopal Church) – Chamber Music Society of Central Virginia: Rebecca Anderson & Claire Bourg, violins; Jordan Bak, viola; James Wilson, cello; Mary Boodell, flute; Charles Overton, harp.
*17 (Abner Clay Park) – Richmond Symphony, Chia-Hsuan Lin conducting.
18-19 (Marburg House) – Belvedere Series: Anyango Yarbo-Davenport, violin; Danielle Wiebe Burke, viola; Amanda Gookin, cello; Ingrid Keller & Jessica Nylina Osborne, piano.
19 (Blackwell Auditorium, Randolph-Macon College, Ashland) – Richmond Symphony, Hae Lee conducting.
19 (Singleton Arts Center, Virginia Commonwealth University) – Rennolds Chamber Concerts: Trio Zimbalist.
*19 (Perkinson Recital Hall, North Court, University of Richmond) – Thomas Meglioranza, baritone; Reiko Uchida, piano.
23 (Modlin Arts Center, University of Richmond) – Modlin Arts: Daniel Bernard Roumain, violin & composer; Marc Bamuthi Joseph, vocalist & spoken-word artist.
25-26 (Carpenter Theatre, Dominion Energy Center) – Richmond Symphony, Valentina Peleggi conducting; Emanuel Ax, piano.
*26 (Modlin Arts Center, University of Richmond) – UR Schola Cantorum, Jeffrey Riehl directing.
30 (Modlin Arts Center, University of Richmond) – Modlin Arts: Dreamer’s Circus: Nikolaj Busk, piano & accordion; Ale Carr, Nordic cittern; Rune Tonsgaard Sørensen, violin.
31 (Carpenter Theatre, Dominion Energy Center) – Richmond Symphony Pops, Hae Lee conducting; Richmond Triangle Players.

NOVEMBER
2 (Perkinson Arts Center, Chester) – Richmond Symphony, Hae Lee conducting. (family concert)
*2 (Ryan Recital Hall, St. Christopher’s School) – Richmond Philharmonic, Peter Wilson conducting; Matt Stevens, trumpet.
7 (River Road Church, Baptist) – Vox Humana, William Bradley Roberts directing.
8-9 (Carpenter Theatre, Dominion Energy Center) – Richmond Symphony, Valentina Peleggi conducting; Francesca Dego, violin.
8-9 (Marburg House) – Belvedere Series: Angela Chan & Jordan Bak, violins; Andres Sanchez, cello; Ingrid Keller, piano.
*9 (Carpenter Theatre, Dominion Energy Center) – Richmond Symphony Youth Orchestra ensembles, conductors TBA.
14/16 (Carpenter Theatre, Dominion Energy Center) – Virginia Opera, Adam Turner conducting. Rossini: “Cinderella” (“La Cenerentola”).
*14 (Modlin Arts Center, University of Richmond) – Third Practice Electroacoustic Music Festival: BlackBox Ensemble; other artists TBA.
15 (Altria Theater) – Richmond Symphony Pops, conductor TBA; “One Piece Music Symphony.”
16 (Modlin Arts Center, University of Richmond) – Modlin Arts: Midori, violin; Ieva Jokubaviciute, piano.
16 (Second Presbyterian Church) – Chamber Music Society of Central Virginia: James Wilson, cello; Carsten Schmidt, fortepiano.
*22 (Modlin Arts Center, University of Richmond) – Christoph Wagner, cello; Joanne Kong, piano.
*24 (Modlin Arts Center, University of Richmond) – UR Wind Ensemble, Brianna Gatch directing; Christoph Wagner, cello.
29 (Carpenter Theatre, Dominion Energy Center) – Richmond Symphony Pops, Hae Lee conducting; Richmond Symphony Chorus. (“Let It Snow!”)
30 (Carpenter Theatre, Dominion Energy Center) – Richmond Symphony Pops, Chia-Hsuan Lin conducting. (“Holiday Brass”)

DECEMBER
*1 (Modlin Arts Center, University of Richmond) – UR Chamber Ensembles.
*3 (Modlin Arts Center, University of Richmond) – UR Symphony Orchestra, Naima Burrs conducting.
*7 (Cannon Memorial Chapel, University of Richmond) – UR Schola Cantorum, Jeffrey Riehl directing. (Festival of Lessons and Carols)
*7 (River Road Church, Baptist) – River Road Chancel Choir & orchestra, Neal Campbell directing. (Handel: “Messiah,” Christmas/Advent portion)
*7 (Virginia Museum of History & Culture) – Richmond Philharmonic Pops, Peter Wilson conducting. (Holiday Pops)
*8 (location TBA) – Richmond Philharmonic Pops, Peter Wilson conducting. (Holiday Pops)
11 (Virago Spirits Scott’s Addition) – Richmond Symphony, conductor TBA. (“Santa’s Symphony Soirée”)
12 (Grace Baptist Church) – Central Virginia Masterworks Chorale, Ryan Tibbetts directing.
13 (Duncan Memorial United Methodist Church, Ashland) – Central Virginia Masterworks Chorale, Ryan Tibbetts directing.
15 (Church of the Holy Comforter, Episcopal) – Chamber Music Society of Central Virginia: Nicholas DiEugenio, Chloe Fedor & Carmen Johnson-Pájaro, baroque violins; Kyle Miller, viola; James Wilson, baroque cello; Jessica Eig, violone; Carsten Schmidt, harpsichord.
18 (River Road Church, Baptist) – Voces8.

JANUARY
9-11 (St. Luke Lutheran Church) – Alexander Paley Music Festival: Alexander Paley, piano; Paley & Peiwen Chen, piano 4-hands; Daisuke Yamamoto, violin; Neal Cary, cello.
17-18 (Carpenter Theatre, Dominion Energy Center) – Richmond Symphony, Kazem Abdullah conducting; Brandie Sutton, soprano; Melody Wilson, mezzo-soprano; Bernard Holcomb, tenor; Kenneth Overton, baritone; Richmond Symphony Chorus.
24 (Carpenter Theatre, Dominion Energy Center) – Richmond Symphony Pops, Henry Panion III conducting; Pastor Mike Jr.
31 (Carpenter Theatre, Dominion Energy Center) – Richmond Symphony, Benjamin Manis conducting; Conrad Tao, piano.

FEBRUARY
1 (Carpenter Theatre, Dominion Energy Center) – Richmond Symphony, Benjamin Manis conducting; Conrad Tao, piano.
*3 (Carpenter Theatre, Dominion Energy Center) – Richmond Symphony & Richmond Symphony Youth Orchestra, conductor TBA. (“Side by Side”)
6/8 (Carpenter Theatre, Dominion Energy Center) – Virginia Opera, Adam Turner conducting. Jake Heggie & Gene Scheer: “Intelligence.”
6 (Perkinson Arts Center, Chester) – Richmond Symphony, Valentina Peleggi conducting; Alicia Russell Tagert, soprano.
7 (Ryan Recital Hall, St. Christopher’s School) – Richmond Symphony, Valentina Peleggi conducting; Alicia Russell Tagert, soprano.
7 (Altria Theater) – Richmond Symphony, conductor TBA; “Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince.” (film with live orchestral accompaniment)
7-8 (Marburg House) – Belvedere Series: Daniel McGrew, tenor; Angela Chan, violin; Raman Ramakrishnan, cello; Ingrid Keller, piano.
8 (Singleton Arts Center, Virginia Commonwealth University) – Rennolds Chamber Concerts: Apollo’s Fire Baroque Orchestra.
*8 (Modlin Arts Center, University of Richmond) – Paul Hanson, piano.
13 (Modlin Arts Center, University of Richmond) – Modlin Arts: SPA Trio: Susanna Phillips, soprano; Paul Neubauer, viola; Anne-Marie McDermott, piano.
20 (Carpenter Theatre, Dominion Energy Center) – Richmond Symphony Pops, Hae Lee conducting; Chester Gregory, Cherise Coaches & Brik Liam, vocalists.
21 (Carpenter Theatre, Dominion Energy Center) – Richmond Symphony Pops, Chia-Hsuan Lin conducting.
*21 (Gellman Room, Richmond Public Library) – Chamber Music Society of Central Virginia: Kako Boga & Stephanie Zyzak, violins; Tanner Menees, viola; James Wilson, cello.
22 (Carpenter Theatre, Dominion Energy Center) – Richmond Symphony, Hae Lee conducting. (family concert)
22 (Singleton Arts Center, Virginia Commonwealth University) – Rennolds Chamber Concerts: Dover Quartet.
22 (Church of the Holy Comforter, Episcopal) – Chamber Music Society of Central Virginia: artists TBA.
*27 (River Road Church, Baptist) – Mary Langston, soprano; Daniel Stipe, piano.
28 (Carpenter Theatre, Dominion Energy Center) – Richmond Symphony, Valentina Peleggi conducting.

MARCH
1 (Carpenter Theatre, Dominion Energy Center) – Richmond Symphony, Valentina Peleggi conducting.
*1 (Modlin Arts Center, University of Richmond) – Doris Wylee-Becker, piano.
6 (St. Stephen’s Episcopal Church) Belvedere Series: Owls string quartet.
7-8 (Carpenter Theatre, Dominion Energy Center) – Richmond Symphony, Valentina Peleggi conducting; Neal Cary, cello.
*8 (Ryan Recital Hall, St. Christopher’s School) – Richmond Philharmonic, Peter Wilson conducting.
19 (Hardywood Park Craft Brewery) – Richmond Symphony, Hae Lee conducting.
*19 (River Road Church, Baptist) – William & Mary College Choir, Mark Helms directing.
20/22 (Carpenter Theatre, Dominion Energy Center) – Virginia Opera, Adam Turner conducting. Verdi: “Aïda.”
*27 (River Road Church, Baptist) – Palm/Chen Trio.
29 (Singleton Arts Center, Virginia Commonwealth University) – Rennolds Chamber Concerts: Juliette Tacchino, soprano; pianist TBA.
28 (Ryan Recital Hall, St. Christopher’s School) – Richmond Symphony Chorus, Richard W. Robbins directing.
29 (Blackwell Auditorium, Randolph-Macon College, Ashland) – Richmond Symphony Chorus, Richard W. Robbins directing.
29 (St. Mary’s Episcopal Church) – Chamber Music Society of Central Virginia: Carsten Schmidt, harpsichord.

APRIL
*10 (Cannon Memorial Chapel, University of Richmond) – Richmond chapter, American Guild of Organists Repertoire Recital Series: Monica Czausz Berney, organ.
11-12 (Carpenter Theatre, Dominion Energy Center) – Richmond Symphony, Valentina Peleggi conducting; Angela Cheng, piano.
*13 (Modlin Arts Center, University of Richmond) – UR Wind Ensemble, Brianna Gatch directing.
16 (Hardywood Park Craft Brewery) – Richmond Symphony, Hae Lee conducting.
18 (Carpenter Theatre, Dominion Energy Center) – Richmond Symphony Pops, Hae Lee conducting; James Madison University Marching Royal Dukes.
18-19 (Marburg House) – Belvedere Series: Karim Sulayman, tenor; Ingrid Keller, piano.
19 (Modlin Arts Center, University of Richmond) – Modlin Arts: Peni Candra Rini, vocalist & composer; gamelan ensemble; Javanese court dancers.
*20 (Modlin Arts Center, University of Richmond) – UR Chamber Ensembles.
*22 (Modlin Arts Center, University of Richmond) – UR Symphony Orchestra, Naima Burrs conducting; Christoph Wagner, cello.
*24 (Cathedral of the Sacred Heart) – Richmond chapter, American Guild of Organists Repertoire Recital Series: Dong-Ill Shin, organ.
25 (Ryan Recital Hall, St. Christopher’s School) – Richmond Symphony, Hae Lee conducting; Hyo Joo Uh, viola.

MAY
2 (Altria Theater) – Richmond Symphony, Chia-Hsuan Lin conducting. “Batman” (1989). (film with live orchestral accompaniment)
*3 (Ryan Recital Hall, St. Christopher’s School) – Richmond Philharmonic, Peter Wilson conducting.
*9 (Gellman Room, Richmond Public Library) – Chamber Music Society of Central Virginia: Jesse Mills, violin; Jordan Bak, viola; James Wilson, cello; Rieko Aizawa, piano.
9 (Ryan Recital Hall, St. Christopher’s School) – Richmond Symphony, Hae Lee conducting; Lynette Wardle, harp.
11 (First Unitarian Universalist Church) – Chamber Music Society of Central Virginia: Jesse Mills, violin; Jordan Bak, viola; James Wilson, cello; Reiko Aizawa, piano.
16-17 (Carpenter Theatre, Dominion Energy Center) – Richmond Symphony, Valentina Peleggi conducting; Richmond Symphony Chorus.
*17 (Carpenter Theatre, Dominion Energy Center) – Richmond Symphony Youth Orchestra program: String Sinfonietta & Camerata Strings, conductors TBA.
*18 (Carpenter Theatre, Dominion Energy Center) – Richmond Symphony Youth Orchestra, Youth Concert Orchestra & Percussion Ensemble, conductors TBA.
21 (Hardywood Park Craft Brewery) – Richmond Symphony, conductor TBA.
30 (Carpenter Theatre, Dominion Energy Center) – Richmond Symphony Pops, Hae Lee conducting.
31 (Ryan Recital Hall, St. Christopher’s School) – Belvedere Series: Rebecca Anderson, Siwoo Kim, Nathan Meltzer & Dominic Salerni, violins; Milena Pajaro-van de Stadt & Lauren Spaulding, violas; Joshua Halpern & Alan Richardson, cellos; Sam Suggs, double-bass; James Sommerville, French horn; Ingrid Keller, piano.

JUNE
*6 (Pocahontas State Park, Chesterfield County) – Richmond Symphony, conductor TBA. ($10 parking fee)
*7 (River Road Church, Baptist) – River Road Chancel Choir, Neal Campbell directing.
*21 (Virginia War Memorial) – Richmond Philharmonic Pops, Peter Wilson conducting.

SEASON LINEUPS @ LETTER V
Richmond Symphony: https://letterv.blog/2025/08/07/richmond-symphony-2025-26/
Virginia Opera: https://letterv.blog/2025/08/21/virginia-opera-2025-26/
University of Richmond Modlin Arts Center: https://letterv.blog/2025/08/13/ur-modlin-center-2025-26/
Virginia Commonwealth University Rennolds Chamber Concerts: https://letterv.blog/2025/08/12/vcu-rennolds-chamber-concerts-2025-26/
Chamber Music Society of Central Virginia: https://letterv.blog/2025/08/19/chamber-music-society-2025-26/
Belvedere Series: https://letterv.blog/2025/08/17/belvedere-series-2025-26/
Alexander Paley Music Festival: https://letterv.blog/2025/08/21/paley-music-festival-2026/
Richmond Philharmonic: https://letterv.blog/2025/08/21/richmond-philharmonic-2025-26/

PRESENTERS
Richmond Symphony: (804) 788-4717; https://richmondsymphony.com
Virginia Opera: (757) 627-9545; https://vaopera.org
Modlin Arts Center, University of Richmond: (804) 289-8980; https://modlin.richmond.edu
Rennolds Chamber Concerts, Virginia Commonwealth University: (804) 828-2020; https://arts.vcu.edu/events/
Chamber Music Society of Central Virginia: (804) 304-6312; https://cmscva.org
Belvedere Series: (804) 833-1481; https://belvedereseries.org
Alexander Paley Music Festival: (804) 665-9516; https://paleymusicfestival.org
Richmond chapter, American Guild of Organists: https://richmondago.org
Richmond Philharmonic: (804) 556-1039; https://richmondphilharmonic.org
Richmond Public Library Gellman Room concerts: (804) 646-7223; https://rvalibrary.org

VENUES
Carpenter Theatre, Dominion Energy Center: Sixth & Grace streets; (804) 592-3330; https://www.dominionenergycenter.com/
Altria Theater: Main & Laurel streets; (804) 592-3368; https://www.altriatheater.com/
Modlin Arts Center, University of Richmond: 410 Westhampton Way, UR campus; (804) 289-8980; https://modlin.richmond.edu
Singleton Arts Center, Virginia Commonwealth University: Park Avenue at Harrison Street; (804) 828-1166; https://arts.vcu.edu
Richmond Public Library main branch: First & Franklin streets; (804) 646-7223; https://rvalibrary.org
Chimborazo Park: 3215 E. Broad St.; 646-5733; https://www.rva.gov/parks-recreation/chimborazo-park
Abner Clay Park: Clay Street at Brook Road; (804) 646-5733.
Virginia War Memorial: 621 S. Belvidere St.; (804) 786-2060; https://vawarmemorial.org
Virginia Museum of History & Culture: Arthur Ashe Boulevard at Kensington Avenue; (804) 340-1800; https://virginiahistory.org
Pocahontas State Park: 10301 State Park Road, Chesterfield County; (804) 796-4255; https://www.dcr.virginia.gov/state-parks/pocahontas
Ryan Recital Hall, St. Christopher’s School: 6010 Fergusson Road; (804) 282-3185; https://www.stchristophers.com/arts/arts-facilities
Blackwell Auditorium, Randolph-Macon College: 205 Henry St., Ashland; (804) 752-7200; https://www.rmc.edu
Perkinson Arts Chester: 11810 Centre St., Chester: (804) 748-5555; https://www.perkinsoncenter.org/
Marburg House: 3102 Bute Lane; (804) 833-1481.
Hardywood Park Craft Brewery: Overbrook Road at Ownby Lane; (804) 420-2420; https://www.hardywood.com
Virago Spirits Scott’s Addition: 1727 Rhoadmiller St.; (804) 355-8746; https://www.viragospirits.com
River Road Church, Baptist: 8000 River Road; (804) 288-1131; https://rrcb.org
Church of the Holy Comforter, Episcopal: Monument Avenue at Staples Mill Road; (804) 355-3251; https://hoco.org
First Unitarian Universalist Church: 1000 Blanton Ave. at the Carillon; (804) 355-0777; https://richmonduu.org
St. Mary’s Episcopal Church: 12291 River Road, Goochland County; (804) 784-5678; https://stmarysgoochland.org
St. Stephen’s Episcopal Church: Grove Avenue at Three Chopt Road; (804) 288-2867; https://ststephensrva.org
Cathedral of the Sacred Heart: Laurel Street at Floyd Avenue; (804) 359-5651; https://richmondcathedral.org
Second Presbyterian Church: 5 N. Fifth St.; (804) 649-9148; https://2presrichmond.org
St. Luke Lutheran Church: 7757 Chippenham Parkway; (804) 272-0486; https://stlukerichmond.org
St. Benedict Catholic Church: 300 N. Sheppard St.; (804) 254-8810; https://saintbenedictparish.org
Duncan Memorial United Methodist Church: 201 Henry St., Ashland; (804) 798-7224; https://duncanmemorialumc.org
Grace Baptist Church: 4200 Dover Road; (804) 353-0134; https://rvagrace.org

7-10 p.m. EDT
2300-0200 UTC
WDCE, University of Richmond
90.1 FM
http://wdce.net

Prokofiev: “Overture on Hebrew Themes”
Sarah Nemtanu & Deborah Nemtanu, violins
Pierre Génisson, clarinet
Ensemble Contraste
(Alpha)

Mozart: String Quintet in G minor, K. 516
Alexander String Quartet
Paul Yarbrough, cello
(Foghorn Classics)

Telemann: Concerto in E minor, TWV 52:e1
Dorothee Oberlinger, recorder
Michael Schmidt-Casdorff, flute
Ensemble 1700
(Deutsche Harmonia Mundi)

Ravel: “Miroirs” – IV: “Alborada del gracioso”
(Ravel orchestration)
Boston Symphony Orchestra/Seiji Ozawa
(Deutsche Grammophon)

Richard Strauss: Burleske in D minor
Martha Argerich, piano
Berlin Philharmonic/Claudio Abbado
(Sony Classical)

Bohuslav Martinů: Symphony No. 4
Czech Philharmonic/Václav Neumann
(Supraphon)

Ferdinand Ries: “Ouverture dramatique: l’Apparition”
WDR Sinfonieorchester Köln/Howard Griffiths
(cpo)

Mendelssohn: “Die erste Walpurgisnacht” (“The First Walpurgis Night”)
Annelies Burmeister, alto
Eberhard Büchner, tenor
Siegfried Lorenz, baritone
Siegfried Vogel, bass
Leipzig Radio Choir
Gewandhausorchester Leipzig/Kurt Masur
(Brilliant Classics)

Berlioz: “Lélio” – “Fantaisie on Shakespeare’s ‘The Tempest’ ”
San Francisco Symphony & Chorus/Michael Tilson Thomas
(RCA)

The Alexander Paley Music Festival, the concert series that the Moldavan-born pianist has staged in Richmond since 1998, will return for three concerts, Jan. 9-11, at St. Luke Lutheran Church, 7757 Chippenham Parkway.

Paley and his spouse and piano 4-hands partner, Peiwen Chen, will be joined by violinist Daisuke Yamamoto, concertmaster of the Richmond Symphony, and Neal Cary, the orchestra’s principal cellist, in programs of Russian keyboard and chamber music, including works by Tchaikovsky, Rachmaninoff, Prokofiev, Anton Arensky and Anton Rubinstein.

Donations of $20 per concert are requested.

For more information, call (804) 665-9516 or visit http://paleymusicfestival.org

Dates, artists and programs for this season’s festival:

Jan. 9 (7:30 p.m.)
Arensky: Piano Trio No. 1 in D minor, Op. 32
Alexander Paley, piano
Daisuke Yamamoto, violin
Neal Cary, cello
Tchaikovsky: “Meditation,” Op. 42, No. 1
Tchaikovsky: Melody, Op. 42, No. 3
Tchaikovsky: “Serenade mélancholique,” Op. 26
Tchaikovsky: “Valse Scherzo,” Op. 34
Daisuke Yamamoto, violin
Alexander Paley, piano
Rachmaninoff: “Trio élégiaque” No. 1 in G minor
Alexander Paley, piano
Daisuke Yamamoto, violin
Neal Cary, cello
Rubinstein: “Bal costumé” (“Costume Ball”), Op. 103 – Part 1
Alexander Paley & Peiwen Chen, piano 4-hands

Jan. 10 (7:30 p.m.)
Prokofiev: Violin Sonata No. 1 in F minor, Op. 80
Daisuke Yamamoto, violin
Alexander Paley, piano
Prokofiev: Cello Sonata in C major, Op. 119
Neal Cary, cello
Alexander Paley, piano
Rubinstein: Sonata in D major, Op. 89
Alexander Paley & Peiwen Chen, piano 4-hands

Jan. 11 (3 p.m.)
Rubinstein: “Bal costumé” (“Costume Ball”), Op. 103 – Part 2
Alexander Paley & Peiwen Chen, piano 4-hands
Prokofiev: Sonata No. 3 in A minor, Op. 28
Rubinstein: Melody in F major, Op. 3, No. 1
Rubinstein: “Valse-Caprice” in E flat major
Alexander Paley, piano

In its 2025-26 season, the Richmond Philharmonic will present three classical and two pops programs, focusing on American music as the US heads toward the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence.

Although the orchestra’s classical season is framed by two major symphonies by Europeans – Beethoven’s “Eroica” (No. 3 in E flat major) and Dvořák’s “New World” (No. 9 in E minor), the latter composed in the US – most of the works on its programs are by Americans, including Aaron Copland, Howard Hanson, Samuel Barber, Morton Gould and John Williams.

The philharmonic’s classical concerts will be staged at 4 p.m. Sundays in St. Christopher’s School’s Ryan Recital Hall. Wilson and Mike Goldberg of VPM Music will preview each program at 3 p.m.

Holiday pops concerts will be presented at the Virginia Museum of History & Culture and a location to be announced later. A summer pops concert is planned for the Virginia War Memorial.

Admission is free for all concerts.

The community orchestra, founded in 1972 and conducted since 2012 by Peter Wilson, will hold auditions for musicians playing all instruments from 1-5 p.m. Sept. 7 at Grace Baptist Church, 4200 Dover Road.

For more information on auditions and the season’s concerts, call (804) 556-1039 or visit http://richmondphilharmonic.org

The orchestra’s 2025-26 programs:

Nov. 2 (4 p.m.)
Ryan Recital Hall, St. Christopher’s School, 6010 Fergusson Road
Beethoven: Symphony No. 3 in E flat major (“Eroica”)
Samuel Barber: “Commando March”
John Williams: “Born on the Fourth of July”
Matt Stevens, trumpet
Williams: “Saving Private Ryan” – “Hymn to the Fallen”
Tchaikovsky: “1812 Overture”

Dec. 7 (7 p.m.)
Virginia Museum of History & Culture, Arthur Ashe Boulevard at Kensington Avenue
Dec. 8 (7 p.m.)
location TBA
Holiday Pops
program TBA

March 8 (4 p.m.)
Ryan Recital Hall, St. Christopher’s School, 6010 Fergusson Road
Williams: “Liberty Fanfare”
William Schuman: “New England Triptych”
Morton Gould: “American Salute”
Howard Hanson: Symphony No. 2 (“Romantic”)

May 3 (4 p.m.)
Ryan Recital Hall, St. Christopher’s School, 6010 Fergusson Road
Copland: “Fanfare for the Common Man”
Copland: “Appalachian Spring” Suite
Ryan Nowlin: “Let Freedom Ring”
Dvořák: Symphony No. 9 in E minor (“From the New World”)

June 21 (4 p.m.)
Virginia War Memorial, 621 S. Belvidere St.
Summer Pops
program TBA

In its 2025-26 season, Virginia Opera will present three mainstage productions – Rossini’s “Cinderella” (“La Cenerentola”), Verdi’s “Aïda” and “Intelligence” by Jake Heggie and Gene Scheer – and an evening of three contemporary one-acts.

All productions will be staged at Harrison Opera House, 160 E. Virginia Beach Boulevard in Norfolk, and the Carpenter Theatre of Dominion Energy Center, Sixth and Grace streets in Richmond. “Cinderella” and “Intelligence” also are scheduled at George Mason University’s Center for the Arts in Fairfax.

Heggie’s and Scheer’s “Intelligence,” introduced in 2023 by Houston Grand Opera, is based on the espionage ring organized by Elizabeth Van Lew, a pro-Union resident of Richmond, the Confederate capital in the US Civil War. The opera’s protagonist, Mary Jane Bowser, was an enslaved woman who was one of the ring’s key operatives.

The set of one-acts, “One Hour – Three Acts – #NoFilter,” will present “Service Provider” by Christopher Weiss and John de los Santos, “The Whole Truth” by Robert Paterson and Mark Campbell, and “Cinderella 99” by Heggie and Scheer. This non-subscription production will be staged in Norfolk and Richmond.

Adam Turner, Virginia Opera’s artistic director, is scheduled to conduct all performances.

Ticket subscriptions for the three mainstage productions are $218.99-$345.02 in Norfolk, $59.99-$345.01 in Richmond. Flexible subscriptions for two operas also are available. Fairfax opera tickets can be included in a subscription package of three or more “Great Performances at Mason” events, with a 15 percent discount on ticket prices.

Single tickets are $27.01-$152 in Norfolk, $27.67-$168.10 in Richmond, $45-$116 in Fairfax. Tickets for the program of one-acts are $15-$25 in Norfolk, $18.60-$28.60 in Richmond.

For more information, call Virginia Opera’s box office at (866) 673-7283 (Norfolk and Richmond), (703) 993-2787 (Fairfax), or visit http://vaopera.org/events

Dates, venues and casts for Virginia Opera’s 2025-26 season:

Sept. 26 (7:30 p.m.)
Harrison Opera House, Norfolk
Oct. 3 (7:30 p.m.)
Carpenter Theatre, Dominion Energy Center, Richmond
“One Hour – Three Acts – #NoFilter”
Christopher Weiss & John de los Santos: “Service Provider”
Robert Paterson & Mark Campbell: “The Whole Truth”
Jake Heggie & Gene Scheer: “Cinderella 99”
casts TBA
in English

Nov. 7 (7:30 p.m.)
Nov. 9 (2:30 p.m.)
Harrison Opera House, Norfolk
Nov. 14 (7:30 p.m.)
Nov. 16 (2:30 p.m.)
Carpenter Theatre, Dominion Energy Center, Richmond
Nov. 22 (7:30 p.m.)
Nov. 23 (2 p.m.)
Center for the Arts, George Mason University, Fairfax
Rossini: “Cinderella” (“La Cenerentola”)
Lisa Marie Rogali (Angelina)
David Walton (Don Ramiro)
Patrick Wilhelm (Dandini)
Levi Hernandez (Don Magnifico)
Maggie Kinabrew (Clorinda)
Melanie Dubil (Tisbe)
David Lefkowich, stage director
in Italian, English captions

Jan. 30 (7:30 p.m.)
Feb. 1 (2:30 p.m.)
Harrison Opera House, Norfolk
Feb. 6 (7:30 p.m.)
Feb. 8 (2:30 p.m.)
Carpenter Theatre, Dominion Energy Center, Richmond
Feb. 14 (7:30 p.m.)
Feb. 15 (2 p.m.)
Center for the Arts, George Mason University, Fairfax
Jake Heggie & Gene Scheer: “Intelligence”
Jacqueline Echols (Mary Jane Bowser)
Ashley Dixon (Elizabeth Van Lew)
Cierra Byrd (Lucinda)
Maureen McKay (Callie van Lew)
Craig Irvin (Travis Briggs)
Edward Graves (Wilson)
Kyle Lang directing
in English, English captions

March 13 (7:30 p.m.)
March 15 (2:30 p.m.)
Harrison Opera House, Norfolk
March 20 (7:30 p.m.)
March 22 (2:30 p.m.)
Carpenter Theatre, Dominion Energy Center, Richmond
Verdi: “Aïda”
Indira Mahajan (Aïda)
Jonathan Burton (Radames)
Deborah Nansteel (Amneris)
Grant Youngblood (Amonasro)
Ricardo Lugo (Ramphis)
Sergio Martinez (the king of Egypt)
Maggie Kinabrew (priestess)
Daniel Esteban Lugo (messenger)
stage director TBA
in Italian, English captions

In the fall semester at the University of Richmond, Letter V Classical Radio moves to Sundays from 1-3 p.m. Eastern time (1700-1900 GMT/UTC), beginning Aug. 31 on WDCE, 90.1 FM, http://wdce.net

Programs will be posted on Saturdays.

The Chamber Music Society of Central Virginia will present nine programs, featuring works by Beethoven, Debussy, Dvořák, Shostakovich and the contemporary Latvian composer Pēteris Vasks, as well as music by five Virginia-based or -born composers, in its 2025-26 season.

Seven ticketed concerts at four Richmond area churches – Holy Comforter and St. Mary’s Episcopal, First Unitarian Universalist and Second Presbyterian – and two free concerts in the Richmond Public Library’s Gellman Room, will be staged from September to May.

Featured artists include cellist James Wilson, artistic director of the Chamber Music Society; harpsichordist and fortepianist Carsten Schmidt; violinist Jesse Mills; flutist Mary Boodell; pianist Reiko Uchida; and harpist Charles Overton.

The season will open on Sept. 15 with a program marking the 150th anniversary of the birth of Samuel Coleridge-Taylor, the late-romantic composer of African and English lineage, whose compositions and arrangements will be played alongside music by his British contemporaries.

Works by Virginia composers Adolphus Hailstork, Chloe Biggs, Joe Jaxson and Riley Peters will be performed during the season.

Also on tap are three new wrinkles on old favorites: Sally Beamish’s arrangement of Debussy’s “La mer” for piano trio; Wilson’s arrangement of Elgar’s “Enigma Variations” for winds, piano and string quartet; and a chamber arrangement of the adagio from Ravel’s Piano Concerto in G major by the Richmond-born composer Zachary Wadsworth.

Ticket subscriptions are $185; single tickets are $30. Admission is free for youths 17 and younger and for students, with advance registration required.

For more information, call (804) 304-6312 or visit http://cmscva.org

Dates, artists and programs for the Chamber Music Society season:

Sept. 15 (7 p.m.)
First Unitarian Universalist Church, 1000 Blanton Ave. at the Carillon
Rebecca Anderson & Grant Houston, violins
Tanner Menees, viola
Mary Boodell, flute
David Lemelin, clarinet
Tom Schneider, bassoon
Devin Gossett, French horn
Mimi Solomon, piano
Samuel Coleridge-Taylor: Nonet in F minor, Op. 1 – I: Allegro moderato
traditional: “Sometimes I Feel like a Motherless Child” (Coleridge-Taylor arrangement)
traditional: “La Bamboula” (Coleridge-Taylor arrangement)
William Yeates Hurlstone: “Characteristic Pieces” – “Croon Song”
Charles Villiers Stanford: Quartet in B flat major, Op. 104 – I: Allegro moderato
Coleridge-Taylor: “5 Fantasiestücke,” Op. 5 – V: Dance
Elgar: ”Variations on an Original Theme” (“Enigma”) (James Wilson arrangement)

Oct. 12 (4 p.m.)
St. Mary’s Episcopal Church, 12291 River Road, Goochland County
Rebecca Anderson & Claire Bourg, violins
Jordan Bak, viola
James Wilson, cello
Mary Boodell, flute
Charles Overton, harp
Debussy: “Danses sacrée et profane”
Shostakovich: Quartet No. 8 in C minor, Op. 110
Ravel: Piano Concerto in G major – II: Adagio assai (Zachary Wadsworth arrangement)
Prokofiev: “Romeo and Juliet” Suite (Gilad Cohen arrangement)

Nov. 16 (4 p.m.)
Second Presbyterian Church, 5 N. Fifth St.
James Wilson, cello
Carsten Schmidt, fortepiano
Beethoven: Cello Sonata in C major, Op. 102, No. 1
Beethoven: Cello Sonata in D major, Op. 102, No. 2
Beethoven: Cello Sonata in A major, Op. 69

Dec. 15 (7 p.m.)
Church of the Holy Comforter, Episcopal, Monument Avenue at Staples Mill Road
Nicholas DiEugenio, Chloe Fedor & Carmen Johnson-Pájaro, baroque violins
Kyle Miller, viola
James Wilson, baroque cello
Jessica Eig, violone
Carsten Schmidt, harpsichord
Vivaldi: “The Four Seasons” – “Winter”
Chloe Biggs: new work TBA
other works TBA

Feb. 21 (2 p.m.)
Gellman Room, Richmond Public Library, First & Franklin streets
Kako Boga & Stephanie Zyzak, violins
Tanner Menees, viola
James Wilson, cello
Riley Peters: Quartet (“Virginia”)
works TBA by Haydn, Mozart, Mendelssohn

Feb. 22 (4 p.m.)
Church of the Holy Comforter, Episcopal, Monument Avenue at Staples Mill Road
artists TBA
Beethoven: Quartet in F major, Op. 18, No. 1
Beethoven: Quartet in C minor, Op. 18, No. 4

March 29 (4 p.m.)
St. Mary’s Episcopal Church, 12291 River Road, Goochland County
Carsten Schmidt, harpsichord
program TBA

May 9 (2 p.m.)
Gellman Room, Richmond Public Library, First & Franklin streets
Jesse Mills, violin
Jordan Bak, viola
James Wilson, cello
Rieko Aizawa, piano
Debussy: “La mer” (Sally Beamish arrangement)
Joe Jaxson: “Mountain Stars”

May 11 (7 p.m.)
First Unitarian Universalist Church, 1000 Blanton Ave. at the Carillon
Jesse Mills, violin
Jordan Bak, viola
James Wilson, cello
Rieko Aizawa, piano
Joe Jaxson: new work TBA
Adolphus Hailstork: “Three Spirituals for String Trio”
Pēteris Vasks: Piano Quartet
Dvořák: Piano Quartet in E flat major, Op. 87

The Belvedere Series of chamber concerts will present seven programs in its 2025-26 season – four in the salon setting of Marburg House in Richmond’s Carillon district, three in the larger venues of Ryan Recital Hall at St. Christopher’s School and St. Stephen’s Episcopal Church.

Pianist Ingrid Keller, artistic director of the series, will join mixed instrumental ensembles and accompany tenors Daniel McGrew and Karim Sulayman, and the series will play host to the new-music quartet Owls.

The coming season will feature major works by Mozart, Dvořák, Tchaikovsky, Dohnányi and Ravel, as well as premieres of a horn trio by Kati Agócs, a song cycle by Richmond native Zachary Wadsworth, and, in a showcase of female composers, a new work by Polina Nazaykinskaya.

Subscriptions for the three concerts at St. Christopher’s and St. Stephen’s are $100, $30-$45 for single tickets. Single tickets are $30 for the Marburg performances; seating is limited.

Tickets for a season-opening fund-raiser are $135.23.

For more information or to obtain a brochure, call (804) 833-1481. Details also are available at http://belvedereseries.org

The Belvedere Series’ 2025-26 dates, artists and programs:

Sept. 6 (5 p.m.)
500 Old Locke Lane
Dominic Salerni, violin
Joshua Halpern, cello
Ingrid Keller, piano
Annual fund-raiser
Haydn: Piano Trio in G major, Hob. XV/25
Fauré: Violin Sonata in A major, Op. 13
Fazil Say: Cello Sonata (“Four Cities”)
traditional: “Shenandoah” (Salerni arrangement)
cocktail hour precedes performance

Sept. 21 (3 p.m.)
Ryan Recital Hall, St. Christopher’s School, 6010 Fergusson Road
Claire Bourg & Rebecca Anderson, violins
Dana Kelley, viola
Joshua Halpern & Alan Richardson, cellos
Ingrid Keller, piano
Mozart: Piano Quartet in E flat major, K. 493
Fazil Say: Cello Sonata (“Four Cities”)
Tchaikovsky: “Souvenir de Florence”

Oct. 18 (7 p.m.)
Oct. 19 (3:30 p.m.)
Marburg House, 3102 Bute Lane
Anyango Yarbo-Davenport, violin
Danielle Wiebe Burke, viola
Amanda Gookin, cello
Ingrid Keller & Jessica Nylina Osborne, piano
Leilehua Lanzilotti: “kou inoa” for solo viola
Polina Nazaykinskaya: new work TBA (premiere)
Liliya Ugay: “A tree. A rock. A cloud” for viola & piano
Florence Price: Fantasie No. 1 in G minor for violin & piano
Rebecca Clarke: Piano Trio

Nov. 8 (7 p.m.)
Nov. 9 (3:30 p.m.)
Marburg House, 3102 Bute Lane
Angela Chan & Jordan Bak, violins
Andres Sanchez, cello
Ingrid Keller, piano
Kodály: Duo, Op. 7, for violin & cello
Vaughan Williams: Romance for viola & piano
Dvořák: Piano Quartet in E flat major, Op. 87

Feb. 7 (7 p.m.)
Feb. 8 (3:30 p.m.)
Marburg House, 3102 Bute Lane
Daniel McGrew, tenor
Angela Chan, violin
Raman Ramakrishnan, cello
Ingrid Keller, piano
Debussy: “Ariettes oubliées” (“Forgotten Songs”)
Zachary Wadsworth: song cycle TBA (premiere)
Ravel: Piano Trio in A minor

March 6 (7 p.m.)
St. Stephen’s Episcopal Church, Grove Avenue at Three Chopt Road
Owls string quartet
Chick Corea: “Children’s Song” No. 12
Paul Wiancko: “Vox Petra”
Franghiz Ali-Zadeh: “Reqs”
François Couperin: “Les Barricades mystérieues”
Trollstilt (Monica Mugan & Dan Trueman): Ricercar
Wiancko: “When the Night”
Terry Riley: “Good Medicine”

April 18 (7 p.m.)
April 19 (3:30 p.m.)
Marburg House, 3102 Bute Lane
Karim Sulayman, tenor
Ingrid Keller, piano
program TBA

May 31 (3 p.m.)
Ryan Recital Hall, St. Christopher’s School, 6010 Fergusson Road
Rebecca Anderson , Siwoo Kim, Nathan Meltzer & Dominic Salerni, violins
Milena Pajaro-van de Stadt & Lauren Spaulding, violas
Joshua Halpern & Alan Richardson, cellos
Sam Suggs, double-bass
James Sommerville, French horn
Ingrid Keller, piano
Ernst von Dohnányi: Piano Quintet No. 2 in E flat minor, Op. 26
Kati Agócs: Horn Trio (premiere)
Olli Mustonen: Nonetto II

Celebrating Pierre Monteux, the eminent French conductor and teacher of conductors, born 150 years ago. As a young musician, he performed for Brahms, Grieg and other late-romantic luminaries. In the years before World War I, he conducted a string of premieres – Stravinsky’s “Petrushka” and “The Rite of Spring,” Ravel’s “Daphnis et Chloé,” Debussy’s “Jeux” – for Serge Diaghilev’s Ballet Russes. And he was still going strong at the helm of the London Symphony Orchestra in the 1960s. We’ll sample his recorded legacy, in music ranging from Beethoven and Franck to Stravinsky and Ravel.

7-10 p.m. EDT
2300-0200 UTC
WDCE, University of Richmond
90.1 FM
http://wdce.net

Mendelssohn: “A Midsummer Night’s Dream” – Scherzo
Vienna Philharmonic/Pierre Monteux
(Decca/Eloquence)

Beethoven: Symphony No. 6 in F major (“Pastoral”)
Vienna Philharmonic/Pierre Monteux
(Decca)

Gluck: “Orfeo ed Euridice” – “Dance of the Blessed Spirits”
Claude Monteux, flute
London Symphony Orchestra/Pierre Monteux
(Decca)

Brahms: “Variations on a Theme by Haydn”
London Symphony Orchestra/Pierre Monteux
(Decca)

Franck: Symphony in D minor
Chicago Symphony Orchestra/Pierre Monteux
(RCA)

Debussy: “Prélude à l’après-midi d’un faune” (“Prelude to the Afternoon of a Faun”)
London Symphony Orchestra/Pierre Monteux
(Decca)

Stravinsky: “Le sacre du printemps” (“The Rite of Spring”)
Boston Symphony Orchestra/Pierre Monteux
(RCA)

Tchaikovsky: “Swan Lake” – Valse
London Symphony Orchestra/Pierre Monteux
(Decca/Eloquence)

Ravel: “La valse”
London Symphony Orchestra/Pierre Monteux
(Decca)