2016 2017 SEASON
“Our lives, our history, our world are composed of stories.” – Music Director Steven Smith This season, we commissioned eight visual artists - Justin Tran, Tim Skirven, Bizhan Khodabandeh, Kate Magee, Alex Beck, Chris Milk Hulburt, Duncan Robertson and Georgiy Kuznetsov - to help tell our musical stories. Their works are inspired by pieces in our Altria Masterworks series.
Richmond Symphony 2016 * 17 season
Our lives, our history, our world are composed of stories. Myths, legends, fables come to us, often told from generation to generation. They teach us about our world and each other from an early age. Music plays a large role in this, since so many moments of life have musical associations. In all of its many forms, music communicates directly to our emotions, and in some cases, actually depicts the action too, doubling the power and impact of the story, deepening its personal relevance. This coming season we have planned a wide range of such musical stories. We are excited to be playing our role in the worldwide commemoration of the 400th anniversary of the death of William Shakespeare, as we present two views of Romeo and Juliet in highly imaginative (and divergent) settings: the magnificent choral and symphonic work by Hector Berlioz, and Leonard Bernstein's Symphonic Dances from West Side Story, which sets the famous love story in New York City and has become one of the most representative of all American works. The storytelling thread continues throughout the season, with opera overtures, Rossini's Semiramide and Wagner's Tannhäuser, and the Prelude to the classical Greek tragedy, Oedipus Tyrannus, by the 19thcentury American composer John Knowles Paine. In a more contemporary vein, Libby Larsen's Collage: Boogie brings varied colors and dance rhythms into the concert hall; and Virginia's own Adolphus
Hailstork is represented by his An American Port of Call, a tribute to the history and many adventures and explorations connected to the Chesapeake region. On the human side, we have the stories of our soloists, most having won international competitions after many years of dedication and perseverance. We are particularly excited about our opening performance with the incomparable Itzhak Perlman. Our Rush Hour and Metro series bring a Latin American adventure and the story of Tyrannosaurus Sue. LolliPops, for families of all generations, offers the tale of The Snowman as well as programs of Disney favorites and a live magic show. Orchestral music is essential to the impact of our cinematic favorites. In our Pops series you can enjoy the masterful film scores of John Williams as well as outstanding vocalists weaving their own magic through song. Come join us. Bring your families and friends. (Did you know that kids under 18 can attend Masterworks and Casual Fridays concerts free? Best deal in town!) Tell your own story as you listen to the music, and share it with others after you leave. I look forward to welcoming you! Steven Smith Music Director Lewis T. Booker Music Director Chair
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Altria Masterworks
Orchestral favorites featuring world-class guests
masterworks 1
Sunday, Sept. 25 at 7:30PM (Special Opening Night Concert) Steven Smith, conductor Itzhak Perlman, violin Presented in partnership with the Carole and Marcus Weinstein Jewish Community Center
Itzhak Perlman
Strauss Don Juan, Opus 20 Mendelssohn Violin Concerto in E Minor, Opus 64 Bernstein Symphonic Dances from West Side Story Enesco Romanian Rhapsody in A Major, Opus 11, No. 1 Artwork by: Justin Tran / Inspired by: Strauss Don Juan I took Strauss's Don Juan to be a musical reflection of Don Juan himself on each of the affairs he secured over the course of his romantic conquests. I aimed to subtly portray his musings while also depicting his eventual fate by centrally placing Don Juan's figure falling into a void, surrounded by the multitude of mistresses he managed to seduce.
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Included in Saturday Masterworks Series subscription
Partner
Sponsored by
masterworks 2
Saturday, Oct. 22 at 8:00PM Sunday, Oct. 23 at 3:00PM Steven Smith, conductor Anton Nel, piano Anton Nel
Libby Larsen Collage: Boogie Schumann Piano Concerto in A Minor, Opus 54 Dvořåk Symphony No. 7 in D Minor, Opus 70
Artwork by: Tim Skirven / Inspired by: Schumann Piano Concerto in A Minor Schumann's complex and interesting lifetime of love and mental illness lead the inspiration for this piece. I created the background pattern in a stream-of-consciousness style while listening to the three parts of the concerto. The flower above his head is a Cherry Plum flower, a symbol of general depression that has an essence which is said to actually "heal" depression. In the background pattern, there is an image of Clara, his wife, who supported him throughout the writing of the concerto and seemed to be a positive force in his work.
Sponsored by
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Altria Masterworks
Orchestral favorites featuring world-class guests
masterworks 3
Saturday, Nov. 12 at 8:00PM Sunday, Nov. 13 at 3:00PM Steven Smith, conductor Kathryn Leemhuis, mezzo-soprano Vale Rideout, tenor Darren K. Stokes, bass-baritone Richmond Symphony Chorus Erin R. Freeman, director Berlioz
Romeo and Juliet, Opus 17
Artwork by: Bizhan Khodabandeh / Inspired by: Berlioz Romeo and Juliet The piece is about using the symphony to represent the young lovers, Romeo and Juliet; so the idea of a string instrument's bow as a rapier sword was a logical choice. The dueling bows are intended to represent the two feuding houses, the Montagues and Capulets. Between the feud rest the two lovers as roses. Sponsored by
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masterworks 4
Saturday, Jan. 14 at 8:00PM Jacques Houtmann, guest conductor Rémi Geniet, piano The Florence Robertson Givens Guest Artist
Rémi Geniet
Wagner Chopin Franck
Overture to Tannhäuser Piano Concerto No. 2 in F Minor, Opus 21 Symphony in D Minor
Artwork by: Kate Magee / Inspired by: Wagner Overture to Tannhäuser This photograph, depicting Wagner’s Overture to Tannhäuser, displays Venus, the beautiful goddess of love, composing her vision of a pilgrimage as an ethereal dusk falls around her. She paints the three ships at daybreak, dancing among the waves, representing the three parts of the opera culminating in the need for salvation (trinity) at the end of the journey.
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Altria Masterworks
Orchestral favorites featuring world-class guests
masterworks 5
Saturday, Feb. 4 at 8:00PM Sunday, Feb. 5 at 3:00PM Steven Smith, conductor Jason Vieaux, guitar Jason Vieaux
Rossini Overture to Semiramide Dan Visconti Living Language (consortium commission) Beethoven Symphony No. 8 in F Major, Opus 93
Artwork by: Alex Beck / Inspired by: Rossini Overture to Semiramide Overture to Semiramide is represented in this image by the feeding at a Koi pond. During this chaos, not all fish are visible and some ascend above the surface, all being fed unevenly. Man's lust for power retains a similar hierarchy to nature's way of providing food.
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masterworks 6
Saturday, Mar. 4 at 8:00PM Steven Smith, conductor Jinjoo Cho, violin
Jinjoo Cho
Adolphus Hailstork An American Port of Call Tchaikovsky Violin Concerto in D Major, Opus 35 Stravinsky Petrushka
Artwork by: Chris Milk Hulburt / Inspired by: Stravinsky Petrushka Here slumps Petrushka in a starry sky at the moment of his death, casting a sullen eye upon the Charlatan. As a sometimes puppeteer, I am continually exploring the fraught relationship between puppet and master.
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Altria Masterworks
Orchestral favorites featuring world-class guests
masterworks 7
Saturday, Apr. 8 at 8:00PM Sunday, Apr. 9 at 3:00PM Rennolds Memorial Concert Steven Smith, conductor Michelle Areyzaga, soprano Kevin Deas, bass-baritone Richmond Symphony Chorus Erin R. Freeman, director Schubert Symphony in B Minor, D. 759 (“Unfinished�) Bruckner Psalm 150 Vaughan Williams Dona Nobis Pacem
Artwork by: Duncan Robertson / Inspired by: Vaughan Williams Dona Nobis Pacem The soldiers in this illustration reflect many different nationalities and wars. This goes to the dramatic theme of inescapable destruction brought about by past and impending wars. The doves flying against the ranks of soldiers represent the contrasting and powerful thread of hope and plea for peace that Vaughan Williams spreads through the composition.
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masterworks 8
Saturday, May 13 at 8:00PM Steven Smith, conductor Gary Hoffman, cello
Gary Hoffman
Paine Elgar Brahms
Prelude to Oedipus Tyrannus Cello Concerto in E Minor, Opus 85 Symphony No. 1 in C Minor, Opus 68
Artwork by: Georgiy Kuznetsov / Inspired by: Paine Prelude to Oedipus Tyrannus This piece is representative of the beginning of the Oedipus story, as the musical score is an introduction as well. It was inspired by the idea of the crossroads where Oedipus was left as a child with a pin through his ankles.
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Did You Know?… Richmond Symphony Education and Community Engagement programs reach over 50,000 students and teachers each year through: …the Musical Ambassadors Program (MAP) - ensembles of Symphony musicians who go into all the area schools to perform over 100 short concerts each year to students in grades K-12. … Elizabeth G. Schneider Discovery Concerts - exciting full-orchestra performances in the Carpenter Theatre designed to spark young minds with an engaging, age-related concert that introduces listeners to the instruments of the orchestra and the elements of music. … the Youth Orchestra Program (YOP) - consists of four youth orchestras and is the premier orchestral experience for students in Central Virginia that gives students the opportunity to study, rehearse, perform and develop the skills they need to be successful, regardless of where their lives may take them. …the Orchestra Project (OP) and Odyssey Junior - intensive week-long summer music camps for young string musicians in grades 2-12, held in partnership with the Virginia Commonwealth University (VCU) School of Music.
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Symphony Pops
Musical adventures! Popular and surprising
1 oct. 29 at 8:00pm altria theater - special location
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dec. 3 at 8:00pm dec. 4 at 3:00pm
Windborne's Music of Whitney Houston
Let It Snow!
The Guinness World Records named Whitney Houston as the most-awarded female act of all time, having sold over 170 million albums, singles and videos worldwide—a true diva with a powerful voice that touched our hearts and souls. Join the Richmond Symphony and vocal sensation Rashidra Scott for an evening of Whitney's biggest hits, including "How Will I Know?," "Where Do Broken Hearts Go?" and of course "I Will Always Love You."
Celebrate the holidays with a concert featuring the sounds of the season! Join the Richmond Symphony and Richmond Symphony Chorus for this annual tradition the whole family will love.
Chia-Hsuan Lin, conductor
Sponsored by:
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jan. 21 at 8:00pm
The Genius of John Williams Chia-Hsuan Lin, conductor Whether it’s the powerful soundtrack from Star Wars, the magical score from Harry Potter or the adventure and whimsy of the sounds of Indiana Jones¸ there is nothing comparable to the genius in John Williams’s music. Experience everything you love about the world’s best loved movie composer in this concert filled with fantasy and fun.
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mar. 11 at 8:00pm
Ann Hampton Callaway – The Streisand Songbook Chia-Hsuan Lin, conductor Join the Richmond Symphony as we celebrate the music of one of America’s most powerful and enduring musical artists. Singing timeless classics from five decades of Barbra Streisand’s multi-faceted career, Platinum Award Winning singer-songwriter Ann Hampton Callaway will show off her gorgeous voice with iconic hits like “The Way We Were,” “Don’t Rain on My Parade” and “Cry Me a River.”
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Did You Know?‌
Photo by Chris Marcussen
The Richmond Symphony’s Big Tent is a new 5,400 sq. ft. mobile performance space that takes the orchestra out of the concert hall and into the region's parks and surrounding green spaces. Through concerts and neighborhood festivals, the Big Tent introduces new audiences to the power and excitement of a live symphony performance while building community pride and excitement.
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Union Bank & Trust LolliPops 1
oct. 1 at 11:00am
Subscribe and save almost 40% off single tickets!
Concerts to delight children and families 2
nov. 26 at 11:00am
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jan. 28 at 11:00am
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mar. 25 at 11:00am
image © Snowman Enterprises Ltd
Magic at the Symphony
The Snowman (animated film)
Princesses and Pirates
featuring Lyn Dillies Steven Smith, conductor
Chia-Hsuan Lin, conductor
The Music of Disney Chia-Hsuan Lin, conductor
Seeing, listening, believing - the art of magic illuminates the magic of music. Magic at the Symphony sets some of the most breathtaking illusions in magic against the beauty and drama of symphonic classics to create a truly unique entertainment experience that audiences of all ages can enjoy.
A perfect way to kick off the holiday season—enjoy the Academy Award-winning movie The Snowman accompanied by the Richmond Symphony. This charming animated film tells the story of a young boy’s magical friendship with a snowman. Enjoy other holiday favorites during this program as well. A new annual holiday tradition with the Richmond Symphony!
Enjoy the music you and your children love from your favorite Disney classics including: Frozen, The Lion King, Aladdin, Pirates of the Caribbean and many more! Perfect for the little Princesses and Pirates in your life.
© Snowman Enterprises Limited “The Snowman“ by Raymond Briggs is published by Puffin
Union Bank & Trust LolliPops concerts start at 11:00am with pre-concert activities and a musical instrument petting zoo at 10:00am. Concerts are ideal for children aged 5 and up, but music lovers of all ages are welcome.
A Child's Guide to the Orchestra with Really Inventive Stuff Sara Valentine, actor Chia-Hsuan Lin, conductor Fusing the styles of a museum curator and a school librarian with a sprinkling of Mary Poppins, Really Inventive Stuff and the Richmond Symphony present Britain's own Ms. Symphonia Semi d'Quaver. This concert will showcase the different families of instruments in the orchestra, helping your child learn how the orchestra works and makes music.
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Metro Collection 1
Intimate, engaging chamber orchestra concerts at Randolph-Macon College
oct. 16 at 3:00pm
metro collection 1
Steven Smith, conductor Daisuke Yamamoto, violin Thomas P. Bryan, Jr. Fund Soloist Copland: Three Latin-American Sketches Piazzolla: Four Seasons of Buenos Aires Revueltas: Alcancías Gabriela Lena Frank: Raíces (“Roots”): Concerto Suite for Orchestra
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2
jan. 22 at 3:00pm
metro collection 2
3
feb. 19 at 3:00pm
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apr. 30 at 3:00pm
metro collection 3
metro collection 4
Joan Tower: Chamber Dance
Bruce Adolphe: Tyrannosaurus Sue: A Cretaceous Concerto
Handel: "Entrance of the Queen of Sheba" from Solomon
Purcell: The Gordian Knot Untied, Suite No. 1
Fischer: Symphony with Eight Obbligato Timpani
Schubert: Symphony No. 5 in B-flat Major, D. 485
Beethoven: Symphony No. 4 in B-flat Major, Opus 60
Steven Smith, conductor Gluck: Overture to Orfeo ed Euridice
Steven Smith, conductor Jim Jacobson, timpani
Chia-Hsuan Lin, conductor
Stravinsky: Danses concertantes Beethoven: Overture to The Creatures of Prometheus, Opus 43 Mozart: Symphony No. 41 in C Major, K. 551 ("Jupiter")
Relax, it's Friday! Dominion Casual Fridays returns this season with an exciting line-up of orchestral music in an informal and relaxed setting. Sit back in the beautiful Carpenter Theatre as your host and conductor guides you through a 60-minute journey into the stories behind the
Casual Fridays Dominion
casual fridays 1 sept. 30 at 6:30pm
casual fridays 2 jan. 13 at 6:30pm
Strauss:
Franck:
Don Juan
Bernstein:
Symphonic Dances from West Side Story
Symphony in D Minor hosted by
Jacques Houtmann
performance. After the concert, collect your exclusive composer trading card and head to the speakeasy at Vagabond restaurant across the street for a post-concert happy-hour with Richmond Symphony musicians.
casual fridays 3 mar. 3 at 6:30pm
casual fridays 4 may 12 at 6:30pm
Stravinsky:
Brahms:
hosted by
hosted by
Petrushka
Steven Smith
Symphony No. 1 Steven Smith
hosted by
Steven Smith
Exclusive Restaurant Partner:
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back by popular demand!
Rush Hour at
Hardywood! These one-hour informal concerts at Hardywood Park Craft Brewery return for another great season. Grab a beer, hit the food trucks and enjoy a great concert at 6:30pm on a Thursday. Cover Charge is $15 Limited Seating Available Hardywood Park Craft Brewery 2408-2410 Ownby Lane Richmond, VA 23220 www.hardywood.com
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Dates for the 2016-17 Season oct. 13 at 6:30pm rush hour 2 jan. 19 at 6:30pm rush hour 3 feb. 16 at 6:30pm rush hour 4 apr. 27 at 6:30pm rush hour 1
Friday, Dec. 2 at 7:30pm
Handel’s Messiah with the Richmond Symphony Chorus Erin R. Freeman, conductor
For generations, Richmonders have been delighted by this magnificent holiday classic. Don’t miss the Richmond Symphony and Richmond Symphony Chorus performing Handel’s masterwork. Sponsored by
Your Support Has Impact At the Richmond Symphony, we are passionate about music. We strive to inspire the Richmond community with concerts that showcase the best of orchestral music and innovative new works, and education programs that reach over 50,000 students each year. Ticket sales only account for roughly 30% of the costs of operating the Richmond Symphony. Each and every dollar donated makes a large and lasting impact on your symphony and the community we share. Please consider making a gift to the Richmond Symphony with your subscription. You make what we do possible and are a gigantic part of our success! www.richmondsymphony.com
2015 CarMax Come & Play
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season calendar
2016 n ov e m b e r
september 25
Opening Night with Itzhak Perlman
7:30pm
12
Masterworks 3
8pm
30
Casual Fridays 1
6:30pm
13
Masterworks 3
3pm
20
CarMax Come & Play
6pm
26
The Snowman
11am
o c to b e r 1
Magic at the Symphony
11am
13
Rush Hour 1
6:30pm
december
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Metro Collection 1
3pm
2
Handel’s Messiah
7:30pm
22
Masterworks 2
8pm
3
Let It Snow!
8pm
23
Masterworks 2
3pm
4
Let It Snow!
3pm
29
Windborne’s Music of Whitney Houston
8pm
Key
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Altria Masterworks
Dominion Casual Fridays
Symphony Pops
Metro Collection
Union Bank & Trust LolliPops
Rush Hour at Hardywood
2017 ja n ua r y
march
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Casual Fridays 2
6:30pm
3
Casual Fridays 3
6:30pm
14
Masterworks 4
8pm
4
Masterworks 6
8pm
19
Rush Hour 2
6:30pm
11
Ann Hampton Callaway – The Streisand Songbook
8pm
21
The Genius of John Williams
8pm
25
11am
22
Metro Collection 2
3pm
A Child's Guide to the Orchestra with Really Inventive Stuff
28
Princesses and Pirates
11am
f e b r ua r y 4
Masterworks 5
8pm
5
Masterworks 5
3pm
16
Rush Hour 3
6:30pm
19
Metro Collection 3
3pm
april 8
Masterworks 7
8pm
9
Masterworks 7
3pm
27
Rush Hour 4
6:30pm
30
Metro Collection 4
3pm
m ay 12
Casual Fridays 4
6:30pm
13
Masterworks 8
8pm
20
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It’s easy to get downtown for your Richmond Symphony evening! Many of these restaurants offer special discounts to Richmond Symphony ticket holders. Check out www.richmondsymphony.com for details.
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Penny Lane Pub: 421 E Franklin St Café Rustica: 414 E Main St Capital Ale House: 623 E Main St Lemaire Restaurant at the Jefferson Hotel: 101 W Franklin St Kenn Tico: 204 E Grace St Chez Foushee: 203 N Foushee Rappahannock Restaurant: 320 E Grace St Pasture: 416 E Grace St Bistro 27: 27 W Broad St Tarrant's Café: 1 W Broad St Thirst and Fifth Gastropub at the Hilton Richmond Downtown: 501 E Broad St T Miller’s Sports Bar & Grill at the Richmond Marriott: 500 E Broad St Vagabond: 700 E Broad St Max's: 305 Brook Rd Graffiato: 123 W Broad St Saison: 23 West Marshall Street Pop's Market on Grace: 415 E Grace St Julep's: 420 E Grace St, Richmond Lucca Enoteca Pizzeria: 525 E Grace St Belle and James: 700 E Main St
New parking deck on the corner of 6th and Franklin Street. Correct as of 2/1/2016. For updates, please check www.richmondsymphony.com.
carpenter theatre seating chart Thank you to our Series Sponsors
The Richmond Symphony is partially funded by the Virginia Commission for the Arts and the National Endowment for the Arts
Find your Concert Altria Masterworks, Symphony Pops, Union Bank & Trust LolliPops, Dominion Casual Fridays and Messiah concerts are held in the Carpenter Theatre at the Dominion Arts Center unless otherwise noted. Metro Collection concerts are held at Randolph-Macon College in Blackwell Auditorium. Rush Hour concerts are held at Hardywood Park Craft Brewery. Please note that all artists, programs and prices are subject to change without notice.
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www.richmondsymphony.com