HAMPTON ROADS — With five performances across Hampton Roads during Opening Weekend Sept. 12-14, the Virginia Symphony Orchestra begins its 105th season with a flourish.
Performances include Coffee Concert: Tchaikovsky’s Fifth Symphony, Tchaikovsky’s Fifth Symphony + Cellist Jan Vogler and Schubert’s Cello Quintet. This season marks the fifth season for Music Director Eric Jacobsen, The Macon and Joan Brock Chair.
“I am honored to start my fifth season as Music Director with Tchaikovsky’s Fifth Symphony,” said Jacobsen. “This piece takes audiences on an emotional journey through the joys and triumphs of life, but also the struggles and woes. I also can’t wait to play Schubert’s Cello Quintet alongside my dear friend Jan Vogler and the amazing VSO musicians in an intimate space that lets the music resonate in ways our audiences haven’t experienced yet from the VSO. I cannot think of a better way to kick off our 105th season with all of Hampton Roads.”
The VSO noted it joins in the America250 celebration with over 25 American composers and soloists featured throughout the season. Described as a season of American Spirit and Symphonic Brilliance, the orchestra will showcase the storied sounds that frame the history of the United States. Samuel Barber’s “Overture to The School for Scandal” will be featured Opening Weekend.
“Throughout our 105th season, we will showcase some of the best musicians in the nation, while creating unique experiences and unforgettable moments for our patrons”, said President and CEO Shannon Kelly. “We have several new offerings in store, including two world premieres, the new chamber music series, VSO Up Close, and the expansion of VSO’s PB&J family performances into Newport News. As always, our vision is to share the joy of orchestral music with all members of our community, and to inspire musicians of all ages through the infinite potential of music. We look forward to welcoming new and returning patrons to enjoy all the VSO has to offer.”
The 2025-26 Subscription Season features 47 performances across the Hampton Roads area through the end of May, including Yo-Yo Ma & Kayhan Kalhor: One Night Only, Gershwin’s An American in Paris & Copland’s Rodeo, Dvořák’s New World Symphony + Gil & Orli Shaham and Beethoven’s Fifth Symphony.
Tchaikovsky’s Fifth Symphony + Cellist Jan Vogler will be presented as a morning concert on Sept. 12 at 11 a.m., at the Ferguson Center. An evening performance will also take place at 7:30 p.m. The show will also be held on Sept. 13 at 7:30 p.m. at Chrysler Hall in Norfolk and Sept. 14 at 2:30 p.m. at the Sandler Center in Virginia Beach.
Schubert’s Cello Quintet will perform on Sept. 13 at 3 p.m. at the Ferguson Center Peebles Theater.
Learn more about the opening weekend at virginiasymphony.org/opening-weekend.