Letter V

Esa-Pekka Salonen, the Finnish composer-conductor, has been named to three posts in Paris and Los Angeles. One of them is conventional: music director of Orchestre de Paris. The other two are more futuristic.

Last year, Salonen made waves when he cut short his tenure at the San Francisco Symphony, after its board, citing financial constraints, scrapped his plans for less traditional approaches to the orchestra’s programming and presentation.

Now, he will become “creative director” of the Los Angeles Philharmonic, where he was music director from 1992 to 2009, and “creative and innovation chair” of the Philharmonie de Paris, the arts complex that houses Orchestre de Paris and the Ensemble Intercontemporain, the contemporary music group founded by Pierre Boulez. The Philharmonie was designed to be a venue for varied music, theater and dance events, and its campus has educational and exhibition spaces.

LA’s Disney Hall, built during Salonen’s tenure at the philharmonic, is also a space designed for more than conventional symphony concerts.

“Salonen’s broad mandate will be to think beyond conventional concert formats and bring together different disciplines,” The New York Times’ Joshua Barone writes. “Rather than take on another music director position, he has worked with institutions in Los Angeles and Paris to create new jobs that challenge the role of, and maybe even the need for, a traditional maestro.”

“I think every orchestra on the planet should really take a good look at the model as we know it,” Salonen told Barone. “Is this something that can be modified or even abandoned, or something maybe not in sync with the rest of the world? I don’t know. But this kind of deal I’m entering is good because both places have the space to explore what the answer would be.”

Barone’s Times article:

The job description of a “traditional” conductor – one who devises, prepares and leads concert programs, selects (and purges) the orchestra’s roster of players, and serves as the public face of the ensemble – is a product of the late-19th and early 20th centuries, when orchestras became free-standing entities, rather than the pit bands of opera houses and the musical establishments of monarchs and clerics.

Instead of being the Kapellmeister, a supervisory servant, the chief cook and housekeeper of music, the conductor became the maestro, the commander of musicians. Some were despots, tormenting players in rehearsals, firing them at will. Others were more paternalistic or seemingly more collegial. However they behaved, they were absolutely in charge.

Typically beginning their working lives as pianists or orchestral musicians, they viewed the conductor’s role as re-creative. Few of the star maestros of the past, from Artur Nikisch and Arturo Toscanini to Herbert von Karajan and Georg Solti, spent much time promoting or working collaboratively with composers. (Some were composers themselves, but rarely very good at it; a handful were accomplished arrangers.) Essentially, they were curators, presenting sonic exhibitions of masterpieces from the past.

A few were also curators of the present: Willem Mengelberg in Amsterdam, Serge Koussevitzky in Paris and Boston, Leopold Stokowski in Philadelphia, Thomas Beecham in London, Otto Klemperer in Berlin and Los Angeles, worked with, even financially supported, contemporary composers. Still, like their less venturesome colleagues, they were commanders-on-high to the musicians they led and demigods to their audiences.

The new model of the maestro was introduced in the 1950s, in the person and persona of Leonard Bernstein. A composer of popular theatrical music (and far less popular concert music, to his frustration), Bernstein was a camera-friendly and gifted mass communicator; he could talk about music as capably as he could perform it. His musical interests crossed old boundaries between classical and popular, past and present. In concerts and on television, he persuaded audiences to journey beyond Beethoven, Brahms and Tchaikovsky.

Not much beyond Ives and Copland, though. Bernstein was a promoter of the recent past, not the present and future, of classical music. As with older maestros (classical musicians in general, really), his idea of a contemporary musical language was fixed in his student and early professional years – in Bernstein’s case, the 1930s and ’40s. More recent compositional styles discomfited or repelled him.

Salonen is the avatar of a new new-model maestro, equally celebrated as a composer and a conductor, a promoter not just of new music but also new ways of presenting classical music. He is open to experimentation, exploration of cross-currents of music and other art forms, not wedded to orchestral performance as a wholly abstract sound experience.

He comes from a nation, Finland, that takes classical music seriously but doesn’t fixate on its past or treat its performance like a ritual. Finnish composers, from Sibelius onward, have been national celebrities and leading cultural exports. And unlike other countries that afford such prominence to musicians, Finland is a democracy. Artists may have to cope with the bureaucratic meddling that comes with state subsidy (as Salonen almost certainly will in Paris), but they don’t fear being censored or ostracized.

Salonen’s work in Paris and Los Angeles is likely to produce both how-to and how-not-to models of the 21st-century orchestra and the performances it stages. He has found willing sponsors with deep pockets to support his efforts. He is media-savvy. He has the talent and working experience to get it right, and the curiosity to let “it” take many forms.

If classical music has a future beyond being a museum or archive, Salonen is the most prominent, probably the most capable, conductor to chart that future.

Health and safety concerns currently prevent me from attending most live performances – avoid crowds, the doctors advise; so I’m going to try some preemptive reviewing.

What follows are a somewhat jaded but inquisitive and variety-hungry critic’s choices of the most enticing offerings in the Richmond area’s 2025-26 classical season. Links for times, tickets and other details are appended.

My picks, in chronological order:

– Pacifica Quartet and clarinetist Anthony McGill, Sept. 14 at the University of Richmond’s Modlin Arts Center. A pace-setting US string quartet, joined by the New York Philharmonic’s principal clarinetist, who’s also an active soloist, playing one of the works on their new album “American Stories,” James Lee III’s Quintet for clarinet and string quartet, along with Dvořák’s “American” Quartet and Brahms’ Clarinet Quintet. (https://modlin.richmond.edu)

– Belvedere Series ensemble, Sept. 21 at Ryan Recital Hall of St. Christopher’s School. Never pass up the chance to hear Tchaikovsky’s string sextet “Souvenir de Florence” (which sounds more like “Souvenir de Florence en passant par Moscow”). That, plus a Mozart piano quartet and a cello sonata by the Turkish pianist-composer Fazil Say, should make for a geographical and stylistic tour de force. (https://belvedereseries.org)

– Chamber Music Society of Central Virginia ensemble, Oct. 12 at St. Mary’s Episcopal Church. A sampler of 20th-century classics by Debussy, Shostakovich, Ravel and Prokofiev, ranging in tone and mood from the ethereal to the post-apocalyptic. Chesterfield County-bred Zachary Wadsworth’s chamber arrangement of the adagio from Ravel’s Piano Concerto in G major is a wild card in the deck. (https://cmscva.org)

– Pianist Emanuel Ax with the Richmond Symphony, Valentina Peleggi conducting, Oct. 25-26 at the Carpenter Theatre of Dominion Energy Center. Ax, playing Chopin’s Piano Concerto No. 2, can be counted on to do ample justice to any music he essays, especially if it’s from the classical and romantic eras. The program also features Rachmaninoff’s Symphony No. 2, as deep a dive into Russian romanticism as fans of same could desire. (https://richmondsymphony.com)

– Dreamers’ Circus, Oct. 30 at UR’s Modlin Center. This trio, one of whom, Rune Tonsgaard Sørensen, is a violinist in the Danish String Quartet, carries on that group’s long-running exploration of Nordic folk song and dance, little-known outside Scandinavia, but delightful – addictive, even – and sound evidence that quick-’n’-devilish fiddling isn’t confined to Tartini, Paganini, Sarasate and bluegrass. (https://modlin.richmond.edu)

– Violinist Francesca Dego with the Richmond Symphony, Valentina Peleggi conducting, Nov. 8-9 at the Carpenter Theatre. Having performed and recorded a lot of Mozart, Beethoven and later romantic music, Dego should be well-attuned to Beethoven’s Violin Concerto, the most noble and lyrical of concertos for the instrument. Also on the program: Dvořák’s Symphony No. 7, his most darkly expressive orchestral work, and Charles Ives’ “The Unanswered Question,” whose history is closely tied to this orchestra’s – its founding music director, Edgar Schenkman, conducted the premiere in 1946 in New York, and frequently programmed it in Richmond. (https://richmondsymphony.com)

– Violinist Midori, Nov. 16 at UR’s Modlin Center. Like Emanuel Ax, Midori is a veteran all-rounder, fluent across a wide spectrum of musical eras and styles. Her program, with music by Beethoven, Schubert, Robert and Clara Schumann, Poulenc and the contemporary American violinist-composer Che Buford, promises to be one of the best violin recitals heard here in years. (https://modlin.richmond.edu)

– Voces8, Dec. 18 at River Road Church, Baptist. A British vocal octet with a repertory ranging from Renaissance polyphony to contemporary classical and crossover, the ensemble’s polished technique and innovative programming have earned it an international following. (Tickets sold by the Virginia Arts Festival – https://vafest.org – which presents the concert in conjunction with the church.)

– Pianist Alexander Paley, violinist Daisuke Yamamoto, cellist Neal Cary and the piano 4-hands duo of Paley and Peiwen Chen, Jan. 10 at St. Luke Lutheran Church. This season’s Alexander Paley Music Festival, Jan. 9-11, is an all-Russian affair. Its centerpiece program features a violin sonata by Prokofiev, a cello sonata by Shostakovich and a 4-hands sonata by Anton Rubinstein, Tchaikovsky’s teacher and a founder of the Russian piano school, of which Paley is an exemplar. (https://paleymusicfestival.org)

– Richmond Symphony, Symphony Chorus and soloists, Kazem Abdullah conducting, Jan. 17-18 at the Carpenter Theatre, performing Damien Geter’s “An African American Requiem.” One of the Chesterfield-born composer’s most resonant works, the Requiem, and an orchestral suite from his recently introduced opera “Loving v. Virginia,” which the symphony will play on Feb. 28 and March 1 at the Carpenter Theatre, round out Geter’s residency with the orchestra. (https://richmondsymphony.com)

– Virginia Opera, Adam Turner conducting, Feb. 6 and 8 at the Carpenter Theatre, staging Jake Heggie’s and Gene Scheer’s “Intelligence.” Based on the exploits of the Civil War espionage ring run by Elizabeth Van Lew, a Union loyalist in Confederate Richmond, the opera centers on Mary Jane Bowser, an enslaved woman who was one of the ring’s key operatives. This production offers not only a score and text by leading figures in contemporary American opera but also a belated reminder that not all Richmonders were handmaids to slaveholders and secessionists. (https://vaopera.org)

– Richmond Symphony, Valentina Peleggi conducting, with soprano Alicia Russell Tagert, Feb. 6 at Perkinson Arts Center in Chester and Feb. 7 at Ryan Recital Hall of St. Christopher’s School. In an symphony season full of American works, this may be the most wide-ranging program, with Tagert singing Aaron Copland’s “Eight Poems of Emily Dickinson” and Samuel Barber’s “Knoxville, Summer of 1915” alongside string-orchestra pieces by Elliott Carter and Philip Glass. (https://richmondsymphony.com)

– Apollo’s Fire Baroque Orchestra, Feb. 8 at Virginia Commonwealth University’s Singleton Arts Center. Touring historical-instruments ensembles rarely appear here. Apollo’s Fire may the best, and certainly is among the most versatile, in the US. Its “Winter Sparks” program features works by Bach, Vivaldi and Marin Marais. (https://arts.vcu.edu/music/concerts-and-events/#rennolds-series)

– Dover Quartet, Feb. 22 at VCU’s Singleton Center. Sometimes dubbed the second coming of the Guarneri Quartet, the Dover is one of the most sonorously high-powered string quartets at work today, celebrated especially for its performances of Beethoven. No word yet on what the group will be playing here. (https://arts.vcu.edu/music/concerts-and-events/#rennolds-series)

– Owls, March 6 at St. Stephen’s Episcopal Church. This contemporary string quartet will be serving the musical equivalent of a chef’s tasting menu. Its program, presented by the Belvedere Series, offers flavors ranging from François Couperin to Chick Corea to Terry Riley. (https://belvedereseries.org)

– Vocalist-composer Peni Candra Rini with a gamelan ensemble and Javanese court dancers, April 19 at UR’s Modlin Arts Center. Indonesian music, which has fascinated Western composers ever since Debussy heard it at the 1889 Paris Exposition, is one of the most alluring Asian genres, an immersive sonic and visual experience. (https://modlin.richmond.edu)

– Chamber Music Society of Central Virginia ensemble, May 11 at First Unitarian Universalist Church. The program features piano quartets by Dvořák and Pēteris Vasks, the Latvian composer who has produced some of the most colorful and expressive works in contemporary classical music. Also on the program, two pieces by Virginians: Adolphus Hailstork’s “Three Spirituals for String Trio” and a new work by Joe Jaxson. (https://cmscva.org)

– Belvedere Series ensemble, May 31 at Ryan Recital Hall of St. Christopher’s School. A program of discoveries: A piano quartet by Ernst von Dohnányi, a late-romantic whose music is generally meatier than his semi-famous “Variations on a Nursery Tune;” a nonet by Finland’s Olli Mustonen, best-known as a pianist, but also a composer of attractive pieces in a usually tuneful, at times toe-tapping, neo-classical style; and the premiere of Canadian composer Kati Agócs’ Horn Trio. (https://belvedereseries.org)

Classical performances in and around Richmond, with selected events elsewhere in Virginia and the Washington area. Program information, provided by presenters, is updated as details become available. Adult ticket prices are listed; senior, student/youth, military, group and other discounts may be offered. Some prices include service fees.

Sept. 5 (7:30 p.m.)
Lake Matoaca Amphitheater, 121 Ukrop Way, Williamsburg
Virginia Symphony Orchestra
Chia-Hsuan Lin conducting
“Stars & Stripes & Symphonies”
John Stafford Smith: “The Star-Spangled Banner”
Bernstein: “Candide” Overture
Sibelius: “Finlandia”
Beethoven: Symphony No. 5 in C minor – I: Allegro con brio
Leroy Anderson: “Irish Suite” – “The Last Rose of Summer”
Dvořák: Symphony No. 9 in E minor (“From the New World”) – IV: Finale: Allegro con fuoco
William Grant Still: “Fanfare for the 99th Fighter Squadron”
Joe Garland: “In The Mood”
Richard Rodgers: “Victory at Sea”
John Williams: “Saving Private Ryan” – “Hymn to the Fallen”
Bob Lowden: “Armed Forces Salute”
Samuel Ward: “America the Beautiful”
free
(757) 892-6366
http://virginiasymphony.org

Sept. 5 (8 p.m.)
Filene Center, Wolf Trap, 1551 Trap Road, Vienna
National Symphony Orchestra
Steven Reineke conducting
“Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows, Part 2,” film with live orchestral accompaniment
$49-$89
(703) 255-1900
http://wolftrap.org

Sept. 6 (5 p.m.)
500 Old Locke Lane, Richmond
Belvedere Series:
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
$135.23
(804) 833-1481
http://belvedereseries.org

Sept. 7 (2 p.m.)
Kaufman Theater, Chrysler Museum of Art, 1 Memorial Place, Norfolk
Feldman Chamber Music Series:
New Commonwealth Quartet
Anna Feucht, soprano
Stephen Coxe, piano
Haydn: Quartet in D major, Op. 64, No. 5 (“The Lark”) – IV: Finale: Vivace
Chausson: “Chanson perpetuelle,” Op. 37
Coxe: “Three Poems of Heinrich Heine”
Amy Beach: Piano Quintet in F sharp minor, Op. 67
free
(757) 552-1630
http://feldmanchambermusic.org

Sept. 7 (3 p.m.)
Old Cabell Hall, University of Virginia, Charlottesville
Charlottesville Chamber Music Festival:
Brooklyn Rider
Timothy Summers, violin & viola
Raphael Bell, cello
Bob Dylan: “The Times They Are a Changin’ ” (Colin Jacobsen arrangement)
Giovanni Sollima: “Four Quartets”
Jacobsen: String Quintet (premiere)
Dvořák: String Sextet in A major, Op. 48
$22-$30
(434) 295-5395
http://cvillechambermusic.org

Sept. 11 (7:30 p.m.)
Paramount Theater, 215 E. Main St., Charlottesville
Charlottesville Chamber Music Festival
Erin Keefe, Simone Porter, violins
Timothy Summers, violin & viola
Muriel Razavi, viola
Raphael Bell, cello
Osmo Vänskä, clarinet
Cristian Budu, piano
Ysaÿe: Sonata in A minor for 2 violins
Lili Boulanger: “D’un soir triste”
Boulanger: “D’un matin de printemps”
Schubert: “Shepherd on the Rock,” D. 965
Brahms: Piano Quartet in G minor, Op. 25
$22-$30
(434) 295-5395
http://cvillechambermusic.org

Sept. 11 (8 p.m.)
Sept. 12 (8 p.m.)
Sept. 13 (8 p.m.)
Kennedy Center Concert Hall, Washington
National Symphony Pops
Steven Reineke conducting
“The Legacy of John Williams and Steven Spielberg”
$56-$126
(800) 444-1324
http://kennedy-center.org

Sept. 12 (6 p.m.)
Virginia Museum of History & Culture, Arthur Ashe Boulevard at Kensington Avenue, Richmond
Richmond Symphony
Valentina Peleggi conducting
Daisuke Yamamoto, violin
“Americana: Telling Virginia Stories & Lifting Virginia Voices”
Copland: “Appalachian Spring”
Mark O’Connor: “Surrender the Sword”
black-tie gala, with dinner & after-party
$1,000
(804) 788-1212
http://richmondsymphony.com

Sept. 12 (7:30 p.m.)
Camp Concert Hall, Modlin Arts Center, University of Richmond
Brian Stokes Mitchell, vocalist
pianist TBA
“The American Songbook”
program TBA
$28-$45
(804) 289-8980
http://modlin.richmond.edu

Sept. 12 (11 a.m.)
Ferguson Arts Center, Christopher Newport University, Newport News
Virginia Symphony Orchestra
Eric Jacobsen conducting & speaking
Coffee Concert:
Tchaikovsky: Symphony No. 5 in E minor
coffee & muffins at 10 a.m.
$15-$41
(757) 892-6366
http://virginiasymphony.org

Sept. 12 (7:30 p.m.)
Ferguson Arts Center, Christopher Newport University, Newport News
Sept. 13 (7:30 p.m.)
Chrysler Hall, 215 St. Paul’s Boulevard, Norfolk
Sept. 14 (2:30 p.m.)
Sandler Arts Center, 201 S. Market St., Virginia Beach
Virginia Symphony Orchestra
Eric Jacobsen conducting
Barber: “The School for Scandal” Overture
Anna Clyne: “DANCE” (Cello Concerto)
Jan Vogler, cello
Tchaikovsky: Symphony No. 5 in E minor
$15-$135
(757) 892-6366
http://virginiasymphony.org

Sept. 12 (12:30 p.m.)
Paramount Theater, 215 E. Main St., Charlottesville
Charlottesville Chamber Music Festival:
Jennifer Frautschi & Erin Keefe, violins
Timothy Summers, violin & viola
Muriel Razavi, viola
Edward Arron & Raphael Bell, cellos
Osmo Vänskä, clarinet
Cristian Budu, piano
Community concert
program TBA
free; registration required
(434) 295-5395
http://cvillechambermusic.org

Sept. 12 (8 p.m.)
Music Center at Strathmore, 5301 Tuckerman Lane, North Bethesda, MD
Baltimore Symphony Pops
Steve Hackman’s BSO Fusion
Beyoncé: songs TBA
Beethoven: Symphony No. 7 in A major
$52-$107
(877) 276-1444
http://strathmore.org

Sept. 13 (2 p.m.)
Gellman Room, Richmond Public Library, First & Franklin streets, Richmond
RVA Baroque
program TBA
free; reservation recommended
(804) 646-7223
http://rvalibrary.org

Sept. 13 (7:30 p.m.)
Altria Theater, Main & Laurel streets, Richmond
Richmond Symphony
conductor TBA
Cody Fry, guest star
$13.60-$124.10
(800) 514-3849 (ETIX)
http://richmondsymphony.com

Sept. 13 (3 p.m.)
Ferguson Arts Center, Christopher Newport University, Newport News
Virginia Symphony Orchestra Up Close:
Grace Park & Elizabeth Vonderheide, violins
Celia Daggy, viola
Jan Vogler & Eric Jacobsen, cellos
Schubert: String Quintet in C major, D. 956
$15-$39
(757) 892-6366
http://virginiasymphony.org

Sept. 13 (7:30 p.m.)
Elmwood Park Amphitheater, 706 S. Jefferson St., Roanoke
Roanoke Symphony Orchestra
David Stewart Wiley conducting
“Symphony under the Stars”
program TBA
free
(540) 343-9127
http://rso.com

Sept. 14 (3 p.m.)
Vlahcevic Concert Hall, Singleton Arts Center, Virginia Commonwealth University, Park Avenue at Harrison Street, Richmond
Rennolds Chamber Concerts:
Alessio Bax & Lucille Chung, piano duo
Poulenc: Concerto for 2 pianos (Francis Poulenc arrangement)
Schumann: “6 études en forme de canon,” Op. 56 (Claude Debussy arrangement)
Debussy: “Suite bergamasque” – III: “Claire de lune” (Henri Dutilleux arrangement)
Ravel: “La valse” (Maurice Ravel arrangement)
$35
(804) 828-2020
http://arts.vcu.edu/music/concerts-and-events/rennolds-series/

Sept. 14 (7:30 p.m.)
Camp Concert Hall, Modlin Arts Center, University of Richmond
Pacifica Quartet
Anthony McGill, clarinet
“American Stories”
Dvořák: Quartet in F major, Op. 96 (“American”)
James Lee III: Quintet for clarinet & string quartet
Brahms: Clarinet Quintet in B minor, Op. 115
$28-$45
(804) 289-8980
http://modlin.richmond.edu

Sept. 14 (3 p.m.)
Old Cabell Hall, University of Virginia, Charlottesville
Charlottesville Chamber Music Festival:
Aylen Pritchin & Jennifer Frautschi, violins
Timothy Summers, violin & viola
Muriel Razavi, viola
Raphael Bell & Edward Arron, cellos
Matthew Hunt, clarinet
Cristian Budu, piano
Haydn: Quartet in C major, Op. 33, No. 3 (“The Bird”)
Jörg Widmann: “Es war einmal” (selections)
Schubert: Notturno in E flat major, D. 897
Brahms: String Quintet in G major, Op. 111
$22-$30
(434) 295-5395
http://cvillechambermusic.org

Sept. 14 (7 p.m.)
Center for the Arts, George Mason University, Fairfax
Jeffrey Siegel, piano & speaker
“Keyboard Conversations: Beethoven – the Young Genius”
Beethoven: Sonata in C minor, Op. 13 (“Pathétique”)
Beethoven: “Rage over a Lost Penny”
Beethoven: Sonata in D major, Op. 10, No. 3 – II: Largo e mesto
$38-$60
(703) 993-2787
http://cfa.gmu/edu

Sept. 15 (7 p.m.)
First Unitarian Universalist Church, 1000 Blanton Ave. at the Carillon, Richmond
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
Samuel Coleridge-Taylor: Nonet in F minor, Op. 1 – I: Allegro moderato
trad.: “Sometimes I Feel like a Motherless Child” (Coleridge-Taylor arrangement)
trad.: “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)
$30; free for youth 17 & younger & students with advance registration
(804) 304-6312
http://cmscva.org

Sept. 15 (7:30 p.m.)
Kaufman Theater, Chrysler Museum of Art, 1 Memorial Place, Norfolk
Feldman Chamber Music Series:
Isidore Quartet
J.S. Bach: chorale TBA (Devin Moore arrangement)
Brahms: “Geistliches Lied,” Op. 30 (Moore arrangement)
Beethoven: Quartet in B flat major, Op. 18, No. 6
Brahms: Quartet in B flat major, Op. 67
$40
(757) 552-1630
http://feldmanchambermusic.org

Sept. 16 (7:30 p.m.)
Hennage Auditorium, Art Museums of Colonial Williamsburg, 301 S. Nassau St.
Chamber Music Society of Williamsburg:
Isidore Quartet
J.S. Bach: chorale TBA (Devin Moore arrangement)
Brahms: “Geistliches Lied,” Op. 30 (Moore arrangement)
Beethoven: Quartet in B flat major, Op. 18, No. 6
Brahms: Quartet in B flat major, Op. 67
ticket price TBA
(757) 965-7254
http://chambermusicwilliamsburg.org

Sept. 16 (7:30 p.m.)
Old Cabell Hall, University of Virginia, Charlottesville
Charlottesville Chamber Music Festival:
Aylen Pritchin & Jennifer Frautschi, violins
Timothy Summers, violin & viola
Muriel Razavi, viola
Raphael Bell & Edward Arron, cellos
Matthew Hunt, clarinet
Andrew Armstrong, piano
Jessie Montgomery: Duo for violin & cello
Thomas Adès: “Alchymia” for clarinet and strings
Dvořák: Piano Trio in E minor, Op. 90 (“Dumky”)
$22-$30
(434) 295-5395
http://cvillechambermusic.org

Sept. 17 (7:30 p.m.)
Terrace Theater, Kennedy Center, Washington
Sarod Quartet
Indian classical works TBA
$99-$299
(800) 444-1324
http://kennedy-center.org

Sept. 18 (7:30 p.m.)
Neptune’s Park, 3001 Atlantic Ave., Virginia Beach
Sept. 19 (7:30 p.m.)
David Student Union, Christopher Newport University, Newport News
Virginia Symphony Orchestra
Helen Martell conducting
Hunter Enoch, baritone & narrator
“Symphony by the Sea: Sounds of America”
John Stafford Smith & Francis Scott Key: “The Star-Spangled Banner”
John Williams: “Liberty Fanfare”
Stephen Foster: “Beautiful Dreamer”
Copland: “Old American Songs” – “I Bought Me a Cat”
Howard Shore: “Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring”
Zequinha De Abreu: “Tico Tico”
Antonio Carlos Jobim: “The Girl from Ipanema”
Michael Giacchino: “Coco” (selections)
Duke Ellington: “Duke Ellington! A Medley for Orchestra”
James Hosay: “To Heal a Nation”
Williams: “Midway March”
Hosay: “Patriotic Sing-Along”
free
(757) 892-6366
http://virginiasymphony.org

Sept. 18 (7:30 p.m.)
Terrace Theater, Kennedy Center, Washington
U.S. Army Strings (“Pershing’s Own”)
directors TBA
75th anniversary celebration
works TBA by Tchaikovsky, Florence Price, Jessie Montgomery, Sheridan Seyfried, George Meyer, Richard Rodgers, others
free; reservation required
(800) 444-1324
http://kennedy-center.org

Sept. 19 (7:30 p.m.)
Paramount Theater, 215 E. Main St., Charlottesville
Charlottesville Chamber Music Festival:
Aylen Pritchin, violin
Timothy Summers, violin & viola
Raphael Bell, cello
Nina Bernat, double-bass
Matthew Hunt, clarinet
Eleni Katz, bassoon
trumpeter TBA
Dave Nelson, trombone
I-Jen Fang, percussion
Andrew Armstrong, piano
Milhaud: “Suite du Voyageur sans bagage,” Op. 157b
Lili Boulanger: Nocturne (cello & piano arrangement)
Nadia Boulanger: “Cantique” (cello & piano arrangement)
Charlie Chaplin: “Smile”
Milhaud: “Le Boeuf sur le toit”
Stravinsky: “L’Histoire du Soldat” Suite
$22-$30
(434) 295-5395
http://cvillechambermusic.org

Sept. 19 (8 p.m.)
Music Center at Strathmore, 5301 Tuckerman Lane, North Bethesda, MD
Baltimore Symphony Orchestra
Jonathon Heyward conducting
Louise Farrenc: Overture No. 1 in E minor
Saint-Saëns: Violin Concerto No. 3 in B minor
Massenet: “Thaïs” – “Méditation”
Joshua Bell, violin
Bizet: “Carmen” suites (selections)
$83-$158
(877) 276-1444
http://strathmore.org

Sept. 20 (8 p.m.)
Sept. 21 (3 p.m.)
Carpenter Theatre, Dominion Energy Center, Sixth & Grace streets, Richmond
Richmond Symphony
Chia-Hsuan Lin conducting
Ke-Chia Chen: “A Lasting Bond”
Schumann: Konzertstück in F major, Op. 86, for 4 horns & orchestra
American Horn Quartet
Bizet: “Carmen” suites Nos. 1 & 2
$20-$102.10
(800) 514-3849 (ETIX)
http://richmondsymphony.com

Sept. 20 (7:30 p.m.)
Music Center at Strathmore, 5301 Tuckerman Lane, North Bethesda, MD
National Philharmonic
Michael Repper conducting
Samuel Coleridge-Taylor: “Toussaint L’Ouverture”
Avril Coleridge-Taylor: “Sussex Landscape”
Samuel Coleridge-Taylor: Ballade in D minor, Op. 4 (Curtis Stewart arrangement)
Curtis Stewart, violin
Tchaikovsky: Symphony No. 5 in E minor
$79-$108
(877) 276-1444
http://strathmore.org

Sept. 21 (3 p.m.)
Ryan Recital Hall, St. Christopher’s School, 6010 Fergusson Road, Richmond
Belvedere Series:
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”
$30-$45
(804) 833-1481
http://belvedereseries.org

Sept. 23 (7:30 p.m.)
Williamsburg Community Chapel, 3899 John Tyler Highway
Williamsburg Symphony Orchestra
Michael Butterman conducting
Prokofiev: “Lieutenant Kijé” Suite
Prokofiev: Piano Concerto No. 3 in C major
Natasha Paremski, piano
Prokofiev: “Romeo and Juliet” (selections)
$15-$48
(757) 229-9857
http://williamsburgsymphony.org

Sept. 25 (6:30 p.m.)
Hardywood Park Craft Brewery, Overbrook Road at Ownby Lane, Richmond
Richmond Symphony
Hae Lee conducting
Eric Ewazen: “A Western Fanfare”
Valerie Coleman: “Portraits of Josephine”
Ludwig Spohr: Nonet in F major
Carlos Simon: “Elegy: a Cry from the Grave”
Jessie Montgomery: “Strum”
$36.10-$46.10
(800) 514-3849 (ETIX)
http://richmondsymphony.com

Sept. 26 (7 p.m.)
River Road Church, Baptist, 8000 River Road, Richmond
E. Carl Freeman Concert Series:
Jory Vinikour, harpsichord
Domenico Scarlatti: sonatas TBA
free; reservation required
(804) 288-1131
http://rrcb.org/e-carl-freeman-concert-series

Sept. 26 (7:30 p.m.)
Camp Concert Hall, Modlin Arts Center, University of Richmond
UR Schola Cantorum
Jeffrey Riehl directing
UR Symphony Orchestra
Naima Burrs conducting
UR Jazz Ensemble
Mike Davison directing
“Family Weekend Concert”
program TBA
free; registration required
(804) 289-8980
http://modlin.richmond.edu

Sept. 26 (7:30 p.m.)
Harrison Opera House, 160 W. Virginia Beach Boulevard, Norfolk
Virginia Opera
Adam Turner conducting
“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
$15-$25
(866) 673-7283
http://vaopera.org/events

Sept. 27 (6 p.m.)
Martin Luther King Jr. Middle School, 1000 Mosby St., Richmond (new location)
Richmond Symphony
conductor TBA
East End Music Festival
program TBA
free
(804) 788-1212
http://richmondsymphony.com

Sept. 27 (7 p.m.)
Pocahontas State Park, 10301 State Park Road, Chesterfield County
Richmond Symphony
conductor TBA
program TBA
free; $10 parking fee
(804) 788-1212
http://richmondsymphony.com

Sept. 27 (7:30 p.m.)
Chrysler Hall, 215 St. Paul’s Boulevard, Norfolk
Virginia Symphony Pops
Brandon Eldredge conducting
Capathia Jenkins & Darryl Jovan Williams, guest stars
“Aretha: a Tribute”
$15-$91
(757) 892-6366
http://virginiasymphony.org

Sept. 27 (7:30 p.m.)
Old Cabell Hall, University of Virginia, Charlottesville
Sept. 28 (3:30 p.m.)
Martin Luther King Jr. Arts Center, Charlottesville High School, 1400 Melbourne Road
Charlottesville Symphony at the University of Virginia
Benjamin Rous conducting
John Adams: “The Chairman Dances”
Respighi: “The Fountains of Rome”
Liszt: “Hungarian Rhapsody” No. 2
Keiko Abe: “Prism Rhapsody”
I-Jen Fang, marimba
$10-$53
(434) 924-3376
http://music.virginia.edu/upcoming-events-list

Sept. 27 (7:30 p.m.)
Historic Academy Theatre, 600 Main St., Lynchburg
Lynchburg Symphony
David Glover conducting
Vaughan Williams: “Folk Songs from Somerset” – “Seventeen come Sunday”
Lynchburg Symphony Youth Orchestra
Astór Piazzolla: “The Four Seasons of Buenos Aires”
Carmelo de los Santos, violin
Beethoven: Symphony No. 3 in E flat major (“Eroica”)
$20-$100
(434) 528-3256
http://lynchburgsymphony.org

Sept. 27 (7 p.m.)
Kennedy Center Concert Hall, Washington
National Symphony Orchestra
Gianandrea Noseda conducting
Copland: “Fanfare for the Common Man”
Carlos Simon: “Warmth from Other Suns”
Tchaikovsky: Piano Concerto No. 1 in B flat minor
Yuja Wang, piano
Dvořák: Symphony No. 9 in E minor (“From the New World”) – II: Largo
Rimsky-Korsakov: “Capriccio Espagnol”
$90-$167
(800) 444-1324
http://kennedy-center.org

Sept. 27 (8 p.m.)
Music Center at Strathmore, 5301 Tuckerman Lane, North Bethesda, MD
Baltimore Symphony Orchestra
Jonathon Heyward conducting
Iman Habibi: “Jeder Baum spricht” (“Every Tree Speaks”)
Beethoven: Triple Concerto in C major
Inon Barnatan, piano
Stefan Jackiw, violin
Hayoung Choi, cello
Beethoven: Symphony No. 7 in A major
$33-$107
(877) 276-1444
http://strathmore.org

Sept. 28 (7:30 p.m.)
Cavalier Hotel lawn, 4200 Atlantic Ave., Virginia Beach
Virginia Symphony Orchestra
conductor TBA
Grace Fluharty, guest star
program TBA
$78.33 (preferred seating, via http://www.eventbrite.com/cc/symphony-on-the-lawn-autumn-reprise-4527893); free (lawn seating)
(757) 892-6366
http://virginiasymphony.org

Sept. 30 (7:30 p.m.)
Paramount Theater, 215 E. Main St., Charlottesville
Wil Baptiste & Kev Marcus, violins
“Black Violin: Full Circles Tour”
program TBA
$37.25-$152.75
(434) 979-1333
http://theparamount.net

Sept. 30 (8 p.m.)
Old Cabell Hall, University of Virginia, Charlottesville
Amina Claudine Myers, organ
program TBA
free
(434) 924-3376
http://music.virginia.edu/upcoming-events-list

Sept. 30 (7 p.m.)
Terrace Theater, Kennedy Center, Washington
Young Concert Artists:
James Baik, cello
pianist TBA
Boccherini: Cello Sonata in G major, G. 5
Debussy: Cello Sonata
Britten: Cello Sonata, Op. 65
Mendelssohn: Cello Sonata No. 2 in D major, Op. 58
$25-$50
(800) 444-1324
http://kennedy-center.org

Oct. 2 (7:30 p.m.)
Moss Arts Center, Virginia Tech, 190 Alumni Mall, Blacksburg
Abel Selaocoe, cello & vocals
program TBA
$20-$55
Selaocoe in “Craft Talk: Culture and Connection” at Virginia Tech Cube
free; registration required
(540) 231-5300
http://artscenter.vt.edu

Oct. 2 (7 p.m.)
Oct. 3 (8 p.m.)
Oct. 4 (8 p.m.)
Kennedy Center Concert Hall, Washington
National Symphony Orchestra
Gianandrea Noseda conducting
Mel Bonis: “Three Dances”
Saint-Saëns: Piano Concerto No. 2 in G minor
Simon Trpčeski, piano
Ravel: “Daphnis et Chloé”
Choral Arts Society of Washington
$21-$145
(800) 444-1324
http://kennedy-center.org

Oct. 3 (7:30 p.m.)
Carpenter Theatre, Dominion Energy Center, Sixth & Grace streets, Richmond
Virginia Opera
Adam Turner conducting
“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
$18.60-$28.60
(866) 673-7283
http://vaopera.org/events

Oct. 3 (11 a.m.)
Ferguson Arts Center, Christopher Newport University, Newport News
Virginia Symphony Orchestra
Thomas Wilkins conducting & speaking
Coffee Concert:
Sibelius: Symphony No. 2 in D major
coffee & muffins at 10 a.m.
$15-$41
(757) 892-6366
http://virginiasymphony.org

Oct. 3 (7:30 p.m.)
Ferguson Arts Center, Christopher Newport University, Newport News
Oct. 4 (7:30 p.m.)
Chrysler Hall, 215 St. Paul’s Boulevard, Norfolk
Virginia Symphony Orchestra
Thomas Wilkins conducting
Michael Abels: “Amplify”
Schubert: “Rosamunde” incidental music – “Hunters’ Chorus”
Beethoven: Fantasia in C minor, Op. 90 (“Choral Fantasy”)
Albert Cano Smit, piano
Virginia Symphony Chorus
Sibelius: Symphony No. 2 in D major
$15-$135
(757) 892-6366
http://virginiasymphony.org

Oct. 3 (8 p.m.)
Old Cabell Hall, University of Virginia, Charlottesville
The Vivaldi Project
Vivaldi: works TBA
free
(434) 924-3376
http://music.virginia.edu/upcoming-events-list

Oct. 3 (8 p.m.)
Center for the Arts, George Mason University, Fairfax
Academy of St. Martin in the Fields Chamber Ensemble
Jean Françaix: Octet
Schubert: Octet in F major, D. 803
$41-$65
(703) 993-2787
http://cfa.gmu/edu

Oct. 5 (3 p.m.)
Camp Concert Hall, Modlin Arts Center, University of Richmond
Ronald Crutcher, cello
pianist TBA
works TBA by Beethoven, Debussy, Rachmaninoff, Henry Eccles
interview with Melody Barnes
free; registration required
(804) 289-8980
http://modlin.richmond.edu

Oct. 5 (3:30 p.m.)
Old Cabell Hall, University of Virginia, Charlottesville
UVa Chamber Music Series:
Elizabeth Roberts, bassoon
John Mayhood, piano
program TBA
$5-$15
(434) 924-3376
http://music.virginia.edu/upcoming-events-list

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.