The Virginia Symphony Orchestra (VSO) is turning 100 this year, and to celebrate, it is coming back to the stage to bring audiences live performances once again, announcing a lineup of six live performances between Feb. 26 and Mar. 28.
The announcement comes after nearly a year without live music on the stage. Scheduled performances include three programs to be presented in Norfolk, Virginia Beach, and Newport News.
These live performances follow after months of planning and discussions with
musicians, venues, community leaders and health officials toward ensuring the safety of performers and audiences.
Safety protocols and a limited audience capacity are in place to ensure social distancing. Audience attendance will be limited to no more than 250 at each location and will require masking and other safety protocols, in adherence to the Governor’s executive order.
Running time for each of the concerts will be approximately 60-80 minutes with no intermission. Each concert will be streamed live, real-time, with free priority access for current VSO season ticket holders who are choosing or not able to attend in person.
The first performance, or opening night, is set for Feb. 26. JoAnn Falletta — the Connie and Marc Jacobson Music Director Laureate — will make a special appearance on the podium for this first live opening performance of the series in Norfolk’s Chrysler Hall.
According to a news release from VSO, the program opens with the orchestral premiere of Adolphus Hailstork’s Adagio, to honor and remember those lost in the last year.
Next, Richard Strauss’s joyous Concerto for Horn No. 1 features the VSO’s Principal Horn, Jacob Wilder, as soloist — continuing a century-long tradition of showcasing VSO musicians as soloists. The final work is one of Mendelssohn’s most popular masterpieces, his Symphony No. 4 “Italian.”
An on-demand version of this performance is available for free beginning Mar. 3. To reserve an on-demand ticket valid for 30-days of streaming this performance, please visit VSO’s website here.
“Conducting Maverick” comes to the stage Mar. 5-7. The second weekend in the series will
welcome guest conductor Eric Jacobsen, who has carved out a reputation as one of
classical music’s most exciting and innovative young conductors.
With him will be brothers and Newport News natives Brendon and Sterling Elliott, making a rare joint appearance to perform La muse et le poète from French composer Camille Saint-Saëns. The program will conclude with Franz Schubert’s animated Symphony No. 3 in D Major, written when he was only 18-years-old, VSO said.
These performances will take place at the Ferguson Center for the Arts in Newport News on Friday, Mar. 5 at 7:30 p.m., at Chrysler Hall in Norfolk on Saturday, Mar. 6 at 7:30 p.m., and at the Sandler Center for the Performing Arts in Virginia Beach on Sunday, March 7 at 2:30 p.m.
On-demand tickets for streaming this performance are available for $25 at virginiasymphony.org and will be available beginning Mar. 10 for 30 days of streaming.
Mar. 26-28, “The Bach Brandenburgs,” features a special evening of Bach’s Brandenburg
Concerti.
Written in 1721, the performance will showcase a range of individual instruments
spotlighting the superlative musicians of the VSO, led by world-famous guest conductor and violinist Cho-Liang (Jimmy) Lin.
Known for his acclaimed violin and conducting appearances throughout the world, the VSO is honored to welcome Lin back to the region, it said.
This weekend of concerts will be performed at the Ferguson Center for the Arts in Newport News on Friday, Mar. 26 at 7:30 p.m. and at the Sandler Center for the Performing Arts in Virginia Beach on Sunday, Mar. 28 at 2:30 p.m.
On-demand tickets for streaming this performance are available for $25 at virginiasymphony.org and will be available beginning Mar. 31 for 30 days of streaming.
Additional upcoming live VSO performances later this spring will be announced as details become available. To receive these updates, check out VSO’s Facebook page and other social media, or check for news at VSO’s website here. Questions can also be directed to 757-892-6366.
For more information and questions, or to purchase tickets to on-demand concerts, visit virginiasymphony.org or call VSO’s Patron Services team at 757.892.6366.
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