January calendar Letter V 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 single-ticket prices are listed; senior, student/youth, group and other discounts may be offered. SCOUTING REPORT * In and around Richmond: The Atlantic Chamber Ensemble plays contemporary works by Arno Babajanian, Dana Wilson and David Bruce, Jan. 16 at Virginia Commonwealth University, Jan. 20 at Chester Presbyterian Church. . . . Pianist Paul Hanson plays modern classics of Scriabin, Schoenberg and Ives, Jan. 23 at the University of Richmond. . . . Flutist Marina Piccinini joins Steven Smith and the Richmond Symphony in Paquito D’Rivera’s Flute Concerto “Gran Danzon” on a program also featuring Rimsky-Korsakov’s “Scheherazade,” Jan. 26-27 at Richmond CenterStage. * Noteworthy elsewhere: Marin Alsop conducts the Baltimore Symphony and vocal forces in Prokofiev’s “Alexander Nevsky,” accompanying Sergei Eisenstein’s classic film, Jan. 122 at Strathmore in the Maryland suburbs of Washington. . . . Pianist Tzimon Barto joins Christoph Eschenbach and the National Symphony in a program of Beethoven, Bartók and Brahms, Jan. 17-19 at Washington’s Kennedy Center. . . . British violinist Chloe Hanslip joins JoAnn Falletta and the Virginia Symphony in a program highlighted by Erich Wolfgang Korngold’s Violin Concerto, Jan. 18-20 at venues in Newport News, Norfolk and Virginia Beach. . . . Alsop, the Baltimore Symphony and pianist Garrick Ohlsson perform Rachmaninoff’s Third Piano Concerto in an “Off the Cuff” program of music and discussion, Jan. 18 at Strathmore. . . . Opera Lafayette, the Washington troupe specializing in reviving little-known operas, presents Félicien David’s “Lalla Roukh” (1862), Jan. 26 at the Kennedy Center. . . . Pianist Misha Dichter joins Russia’s St. Petersburg Quartet in a program of Borodin, Shostakovich and Schumann, Jan. 29 at the University of Virginia in Charlottesville. Jan. 4 (7:30 p.m.) University Baptist Church, 1223 W. Main St., Charlottesville University of Virginia University Singers Cornell University Glee Club program TBA $15 (757) 810-2932 www.virginia.edu/music/usingers Jan. 5 (8 p.m.) Jan. 6 (3 p.m.) Music Center at Strathmore, 5301 Tuckerman Lane, North Bethesda, MD National Philharmonic Piotr Gajewski conducting Telemann: Viola Concerto Victoria Chiang, viola Mendelssohn: String Symphony No. 9 Mozart: Sinfonia concertante for violin, viola and orchestra Nurit Bar-Josef, violin Victoria Chiang, viola $28-$84 (301) 581-5100 www.strathmore.org Jan. 11 (8 p.m.) The Barns at Wolf Trap, Trap Road, Vienna JACK Quartet Derek Bermel, composer & clarinet Ligeti: Quartet No. 2 Bermel: “A Short History of the Universe (as Related by Nima Arkani-Hamed)” (premiere) Brahms: Clarinet Quintet $35 (703) 938-2404 www.wolftrap.org Jan. 12 (8 p.m.) Music Center at Strathmore, 5301 Tuckerman Lane, North Bethesda, MD Baltimore Symphony Orchestra Baltimore Choral Arts Society Irina Tchistjakova, mezzo-soprano Marin Alsop conducting Prokofiev: “Alexander Nevsky” (Sergei Eisenstein film with live accompaniment) $31-$91 (877) 276-1444 (Baltimore Symphony box office) www.strathmore.org Jan. 13 (7 p.m.) Calvary Revival Church, 5833 Poplar Hall Drive, Norfolk Virginia Symphony conductor TBA “Songs for a Dreamer: a Tribute to Martin Luther King Jr.” program TBA free (757) 213-1403 www.virginiasymphony.org Jan. 16 (8 p.m.) Vlahcevic Concert Hall, Singleton Arts Center, Virginia Commonwealth University, Park Avenue at Harrison Street, Richmond Jan. 20 (7 p.m.) Chester Presbyterian Church, 3424 West Hundred Road Atlantic Chamber Ensemble Arno Babajanian: Piano Trio in F sharp minor Dana Wilson: “Sing to me of the night” David Bruce: “Gumboots”  $7 in advance, $10 day of event (VCU); $5 (Chester) (804) 223-2112 www.acensemble.org Jan. 16 (7:30 p.m.) Terrace Theater, Kennedy Center, Washington Vocal Arts DC: Toby Spence, tenor Graham Johnson, piano program TBA $45 (800) 444-1324 www.kennedy-center.org Jan. 17 (7 p.m.) Jan. 18 (8 p.m.) Jan. 19 (8 p.m.) Kennedy Center Concert Hall, Washington National Symphony Orchestra Christoph Eschenbach conducting Beethoven: “Egmont" Overture Bartók: Piano Concerto No. 2 Tzimon Barto, piano Brahms: Symphony No. 2 $10-$85 (800) 444-1324 www.kennedy-center.org Jan. 18 (8 p.m.) Ferguson Arts Center, Christopher Newport University, Newport News Jan. 19 (8 p.m.) Chrysler Hall, 201 Brambleton Ave., Norfolk Jan. 20 (2:30 p.m.) Sandler Arts Center, 201 S. Market St., Virginia Beach Virginia Symphony JoAnn Falletta conducting Rossini: “Semiramide” Overture Korngold: Violin Concerto Chloe Hanslip, violin Pizzetti: “Venetian Rondo” Respighi: “The Pines of Rome” $20-$100 (757) 892-6366 www.virginiasymphony.org Jan. 18 (8:15 p.m.) Music Center at Strathmore, 5301 Tuckerman Lane, North Bethesda, MD Baltimore Symphony Orchestra Marin Alsop conducting “Off the Cuff” Rachmaninoff: Piano Concerto No. 3 Garrick Ohlsson, piano $39-$72 (877) 276-1444 (Baltimore Symphony box office) www.strathmore.org Jan. 19 (2 p.m.) Gellman Room, Richmond Public Library, First and Franklin streets Richmond Music Teachers Association members 40th Anniversary Concert program TBA free (804) 646-8223 www.richmondpubliclibrary.org Jan. 19 (8 p.m.) Carpenter Theatre, Richmond CenterStage, Sixth and Grace streets Richmond Symphony Pops Erin R. Freeman conducting Maureen McGovern, guest star “A Long and Winding Road” program TBA $10-$76 (800) 514-3849 (ETIX) www.richmondsymphony.com Jan. 19 (8 p.m.) Center for the Arts, George Mason University, Fairfax Fairfax Symphony Christopher Zimmerman conducting Mozart: “The Magic Flute” Overture Jonathon Leshnoff: Flute Concerto Christina Jennings, flute Ives: “The Unanswered Question” Brahms: Symphony No. 1 $25-$55 (888) 945-2468 (Tickets.com) www.fairfaxsymphony.org Jan. 19 (2 p.m.) Terrace Theater, Kennedy Center, Washington Daniil Trifonov, piano Scriabin: Sonata No. 2 Liszt: Sonata in B minor Chopin: preludes, Op. 28 $45 (202) 785-9727 (Washington Performing Arts Society) www.wpas.org Jan. 19 (8 p.m.) Music Center at Strathmore, 5301 Tuckerman Lane, North Bethesda, MD Brian Ganz, piano “Chopin Project” Chopin: five mazurkas, Op. 7 Chopin: “Ecossaises,” Op. 72, No. 3 Chopin: Nocturne in C sharp minor, Op. posth. Chopin: Prelude in A-flat Major, Op. 28 Chopin: Ballade No. 1 in G minor, Op, 23 Chopin: Ballade No. 3 In A flat Major, Op. 47 Chopin: preludes, Op. 28 $28-$52 (301) 581-5100 www.strathmore.org Jan. 23 (7:30 p.m.) Camp Concert Hall, Modlin Arts Center, University of Richmond Paul Hanson, piano Scriabin: Sonata No. 6 Schoenberg: “Five Pieces,” Op. 23 Ives: “Concord” Sonata free (804) 289-8980 www.modlin.richmond.edu Jan. 24 (7 p.m.) Jan. 25 (8 p.m.) Jan. 26 (8 p.m.) Kennedy Center Concert Hall, Washington National Symphony Orchestra Christoph Eschenbach conducting Beethoven-Weingartner: “Great Fugue” Mozart: Violin Concerto No. 5 Dan Zhu, violin Bartók: Concerto for Orchestra $10-$85 (800) 444-1324 www.kennedy-center.org Jan. 26 (4 p.m.) Ginter Park Presbyterian Church, Seminary and Walton avenues, Richmond City Singers Children’s Choirs Leslie Dripps directing “Wintertide Concert” program TBA donation requested (804) 359-5049 www.citysingerschoir.org Jan. 26 (8 p.m.) Jan. 27 (3 p.m.) Carpenter Theatre, Richmond CenterStage, Sixth and Grace streets Richmond Symphony Steven Smith conducting Steven Smith: “La Chasse” Paquito D’Rivera: “Gran Danzon” (Flute Concerto) Marina Piccinini, flute Rimsky-Korsakov: “Scheherazade” $10-$73 (800) 514-3849 (ETIX) www.richmondsymphony.com Jan. 26 (8 p.m.) Ferguson Arts Center, Christopher Newport University, Newport News Project Trio classical-jazz-pop program TBA $32 (757) 594-8752 www.fergusoncenter.cnu.edu Jan. 26 (8 p.m.) Eisenhower Theater, Kennedy Center, Washington Opera Lafayette Ryan Brown conducting Félicien David: “Lalla Roukh” Marianne Fiset (Lalla Roukh) Emiliano Gonzalez Toro (Noureddin) Nathalie Paulin (Mirza) Bernard Deletré (Baskir) David Newman (Bakbara) James Shaffran (Kaboul) Kalanidhi Dance Bernard Deletré, stage director in French, English captions $40-$100 (800) 444-1324 www.kennedy-center.org Jan. 26 (8 p.m.) Sixth & I Historic Synagogue, Washington Brooklyn Rider “Almanac” program TBA $30 (202) 785-9727 (Washington Performing Arts Society) www.wpas.org Jan. 26 (8 p.m.) Jan. 27 (3 p.m.) Music Center at Strathmore, 5301 Tuckerman Lane, North Bethesda, MD National Philharmonic Miroslaw Jacek Blaszczyk conducting Tchaikovsky: “Rococo Variations” Lutoslawski: Cello Concerto Dariusz Skoraczewski, cello Tchaikovsky: Symphony No. 4 $28-$84 (301) 581-5100 www.strathmore.org Jan. 27 (4 p.m.) Vlahcevic Concert Hall, Singleton Arts Center, Virginia Commonwealth University, Park Avenue at Harrison Street, Richmond VCU Guitar Series: David Robinson, classical guitar program TBA $15 (804) 828-6776 www.vcumusic.org Jan. 27 (7 p.m.) Carpenter Theatre, Richmond CenterStage, Sixth and Grace streets Richmond Symphony Youth Orchestra Erin R. Freeman conducting program TBA free (804) 788-4717 www.richmondsymphony.com Jan. 27 (3 p.m.) Roanoke Performing Arts Theatre, Orange Avenue at Williamson Road Roanoke Symphony Roanoke Youth Symphony David Stewart Wiley conducting “Sci-Fi Live” classical and film music TBA $10 (540) 343-9127 www.rso.com Jan. 27 (7:30 p.m.) Terrace Theater, Kennedy Center, Washington Vilde Frang, violin Michail Lifits, piano Mozart: Violin Sonata in F minor, K. 376 Fauré: Violin Sonata No. 1 in A major Brahms: Hungarian dances Nos. 2, 11, 17 Prokofiev: Violin Sonata No. 2 $35 (202) 785-9727 (Washington Performing Arts Society) www.wpas.org Jan. 29 (8 p.m.) Old Cabell Hall, University of Virginia, Charlottesville Tuesday Evening Concerts: St. Petersburg Quartet Misha Dichter, piano Borodin: Quartet No. 2 Shostakovich: Piano Quintet Schumann: Piano Quintet $12-$33 (434) 924-3376 www.tecs.org Jan. 30 (8 p.m.) Music Center at Strathmore, 5301 Tuckerman Lane, North Bethesda, MD New Century Chamber Orchestra Nadja Salerno-Sonnenberg, violin & conductor Mendelssohn: String Symphony TBA Bach: Violin Concerto in A minor Villa-Lobos: “Bachianas Brasileras” No. 5 Richard Strauss: “Metamorphosen” $35-$45 (301) 581-5100 www.strathmore.org Jan. 31 (8 p.m.) Phi Beta Kappa Hall, College of William and Mary, Williamsburg Virginia Symphony George Hanson conducting Ravel: “Le Tombeau de Couperin” Haydn: Trumpet Concerto David Vonderheide, trumpet Christopher Theofandis: “Muse” Haydn: Symphony No. 104 (“London”)  $20-$60 (757) 892-6366 www.virginiasymphony.org 4 months ago | Comment | Tag | Read Full Story

The Ninth on New Year's Eve Letter V One of my favorite holiday musical traditions is the New Year’s Eve performance of Beethoven’s Ninth Symphony. This is a fixture on the cultural calendar of many cities in Central Europe, but rarely seen and heard in this country. Thanks to the Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra and its “One City One Symphony” initiative, a recording from the orchestra’s November concerts of the Beethoven Ninth, conducted by its music director designate, Louis Langrée, is available as a free download, here: http://cincinnatisymphony.org/Content.php?id=29 A nice opportunity to try the Ninth at New Year at home, and a chance to hear one of the leading U.S. orchestras with its next generation of artistic leadership. 4 months ago | Comment | Tag | Read Full Story

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Galina Vishnevskaya (1926-2012) Letter V Galina Vishnevskaya, the great Russian soprano and widow of cellist Mstislav Rostropovich, has died at 86. An obituary by Jonathan Kandell in The New York Times: http://www.nytimes.com/2012/12/12/arts/music/galina-vishnevskaya-electrifying-soprano-dies-at-86.html?adxnnl=1&hpw=&adxnnlx=1355290134-QBFMnj+hZJtMRWvO1Juw1w 5 months ago | Comment | Tag | Read Full Story

Ravi Shankar (1920-2012) Letter V Ravi Shankar, master of the sitar and North Indian classical music, has died at the age of 92. An obituary by Reginald Massey for The Guardian: http://www.guardian.co.uk/music/2012/dec/12/ravi-shankar-dies 5 months ago | Comment | Tag | Read Full Story

Charles Rosen (1927-2012) Letter V Charles Rosen, the pianist, author (of “The Classical Style” and “The Romantic Generation,” among other books), critic and scholar of subjects ranging from French literature to architecture and art, has died at 85. As a pianist, Rosen was celebrated for his mastery of an unusually wide range of repertory, from Bach and Beethoven to Pierre Boulez and Elliott Carter. He last performed in Richmond in an October 2010 concert at Virginia Commonwealth University, in which he surveyed music of Robert Schumann during the composer’s bicentenary. An obituary by Ivan Hewett in The Guardian: http://www.guardian.co.uk/music/2012/dec/10/charles-rosen And another, by The New York Times’ Margalit Fox: http://www.nytimes.com/2012/12/11/arts/music/charles-rosen-pianist-polymath-and-author-dies-at-85.html?hpw 5 months ago | Comment | Tag | Read Full Story

Dave Brubeck (1920-2012) Letter V Dave Brubeck, the pianist, bandleader and composer whose "Take Five" (1959) became the first million-selling jazz single, has died a few days shy of his 92nd birthday. Later in his career, Brubeck, who had sytudied with Darius Milhaud, produced a number of long-form classical and jazz-classical ("third stream") compositions. An obituary by Ben Ratliff in The New York Times: http://www.nytimes.com/2012/12/06/arts/music/dave-brubeck-jazz-musician-dies-at-91.html?hp 5 months ago | Comment | Tag | Read Full Story

December calendar Letter V 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 single-ticket prices are listed; senior, student/youth, group and other discounts may be offered. SCOUTING REPORT * In the spirit of the season . . . It’s all good. Dec. 1 (8 p.m.) Dec. 2 (3 p.m.) Carpenter Theatre, Richmond CenterStage, Sixth and Grace streets Richmond Symphony Pops & Chorus Erin R. Freeman conducting City Singers Children’s Choir “Let It Snow!” holiday pops program TBA $9-$76 (800) 514-3849 (ETIX) www.richmondsymphony.com Dec. 1 (8 p.m.) Dec. 2 (3:30 p.m.) Old Cabell Hall, University of Virginia, Charlottesville Charlottesville & University Symphony Orchestra U.Va. University Singers Michael Slon conducting “Family Holiday Concerts” Christmas carols TBA Anderson: “Sleigh Ride” “Winter Wonderland” “Twelve Days of Christmas” Randall Criswell Ball, vocalist $10-$38 (434) 924-3376 http://artsandsciences.virginia.edu/music/concertsevents/index.html Dec. 1 (2 p.m.) Center for the Arts, George Mason University, Fairfax Virginia Opera Gary Thor Wedow conducting Johann Strauss II: “Die Fledermaus” Emily Pulley (Rosalinde) Sarah Jane McMahon (Adele) Abigail Nims (Orlovsky) Philip Cutlip (Eisenstein) Ryan MacPherson (Alfred) Christopher Burchett (Dr. Falke) Dorothy Danner, stage director in English with captions $25-$114 (888) 945-2468 (Tickets.com) www.vaopera.org Dec. 1 (2 p.m.) Terrace Theater, Kennedy Center, Washington Lukáš Vondrácek, piano Haydn: Sonata in C major, Hob. XVI:50 Mendelssohn: “Variations serieuses” Suk: “Love Song” Brahms: “Six Pieces,” Op. 118 Prokofiev: Sonata No. 7 $38 (202) 785-9727 (Washington Performing Arts Society) www.wpas.org Dec. 1 (8 p.m.) Kennedy Center Concert Hall, Washington National Symphony Orchestra Juraj Valcuha conducting Szymanowski: “Concert Overture” Mozart: Piano Concerto No. 13 in C major, K. 415 Jonathan Biss, piano Ravel: “Ma Mère l’oye” Suite Debussy: “La Mer” $10-$85 (800) 444-1324 www.kennedy-center.org Dec. 2 (4 p.m.) St. Mark’s Episcopal Church, 520 N. Boulevard, Richmond Richmond Choral Society Markus Compton directing Christopher Martin, organ Keith Tan, piano Virginia Girls Choir “Christmas With the Richmond Choral Society” program TBA $20 (804) 353-9582 www.richmondchoralsociety.org Dec. 2 (4 p.m.) Vlahcevic Concert Hall, Singleton Arts Center, Virginia Commonwealth University, Park Avenue at Harrison Street, Richmond VCU Guitar Ensemble Community Guitar Ensemble John Patykula directing program TBA free (804) 828-6776 www.vcumusic.org Dec. 3 (7 p.m.) The Atrium of The James Center, 1051 E. Cary St., Richmond Richmond Philharmonic Paul S. Kim conducting “Family Holiday Concert” program TBA donation requested (804) 673-7400 www.richmondphilharmonic.org Dec. 3 (7:30 p.m.) Camp Concert Hall, Modlin Arts Center, University of Richmond UR Chamber Ensembles program TBA free (804) 289-8980 www.modlin.richmond.edu Dec. 3 (7:30 p.m.) Kennedy Center Concert Hall, Washington Yo-Yo Ma, cello Ahmet Adnan Saygun: Partita, Op. 31 (allegretto) Bach: Suite No. 1 in G major, BWV 1007 Mark O’Connor: “Appalachian Waltz” Bach: Suite No. 2 in D minor, BWV 1008 George Crumb: Sonata for solo cello Bach: Suite No. 3 in C major, BWV 1009 $50-$175 (waiting list) (202) 785-9727 (Washington Performing Arts Society) www.wpas.org Dec. 3 (8 p.m.) Coolidge Auditorium, Library of Congress, First Street at Independence Avenue S.E., Washington William Hicks, piano & director Jerry Grossman, cello Rebecca Luker, Ron Raines, Aaron Lazar & Korliss Uecker, vocalists “The Musical Worlds of Victor Herbert” program TBA free; tickets required (703) 573-7328 (Ticketmaster) http://www.loc.gov/rr/perform/concert/1213-schedule.html Dec. 4 (7:30 p.m.) Vlahcevic Concert Hall, Singleton Arts Center, Virginia Commonwealth University, Park Avenue at Harrison Street, Richmond VCU Choral Arts Society Vocal Chamber Ensemble program TBA $7 in advance, $10 day of event (804) 828-6776 www.vcumusic.org Dec. 4 (7:30 p.m.) Kennedy Center Concert Hall, Washington Simón Bolivar Symphony Orchestra Gustavo Dudamel conducting Chavez: “Sinfonia India” Julián Orbón: “Tres Versiones Sinfonicas” Richard Strauss: “An Alpine Symphony” $45-$175 (waiting list) (202) 785-9727 (Washington Performing Arts Society) www.wpas.org Dec. 5 (7:30 p.m.) Camp Concert Hall, Modlin Arts Center, University of Richmond UR Symphony Orchestra Alexander Kordzaia conducting Chopin: Piano Concerto No. 1 (first movement) Richard Hu, piano Beethoven: Symphony No. 7 free (804) 289-8980 www.modlin.richmond.edu Dec. 6 (7:30 p.m.) Vlahcevic Concert Hall, Singleton Arts Center, Virginia Commonwealth University, Park Avenue at Harrison Street, Richmond VCU Symphony Orchestra Daniel Myssyk conducting Saint-Saëns: “Introduction and Rondo Capriccioso” Frank Wu, violin Beethoven: Symphony No. 5 $7 in advance, $10 day of event (804) 828-6776 www.vcumusic.org Dec. 6 (7:30 p.m.) American Theatre, 125 E. Mellen St., Hampton Eugenia Zukerman, flute Jacques Thibaud String Trio works by Schubert, Beethoven, Français, C.P.E. Bach, Mozart $25-$30 (757) 722-2787 www.hamptonarts.net Dec. 6 (7 p.m.) Dec. 7 (8 p.m.) Dec. 8 (8 p.m.) Kennedy Center Concert Hall, Washington National Symphony Orchestra Hans Graf conducting Lutoslawski: “Trauermusik” Chopin: Piano Concerto No. 1 Yuja Wang, piano Tchaikovsky: Symphony No. 3 (“Polish”) $10-$85 (800) 444-1324 www.kennedy-center.org Dec. 7 (7:30 p.m.) Vlahcevic Concert Hall, Singleton Arts Center, Virginia Commonwealth University, Park Avenue at Harrison Street, Richmond VCU Music Holiday Gala: VCU Commonwealth Singers VCU Guitar Ensemble Community Guitar Ensemble VCU Symphonic Wind Ensemble Kenneth Wood, tenor other artists TBA program TBA $15; proceeds benefit VCU Hospital Hospitality House (804) 828-6776 www.vcumusic.org Dec. 7 (8 p.m.) Regent University Theater, 1000 Regent University Drive, Virginia Beach Dec. 8 (8 p.m.) Chrysler Hall, 201 Brambleton Ave., Norfolk Dec. 9 (2:30 p.m.) Ferguson Arts Center, Christopher Newport University, Newport News Dec. 13 (8 p.m.) Phi Beta Kappa Hall, College of William and Mary, Williamsburg Virginia Symphony & Chorus Benjamin Rous conducting Handel: “Messiah” Jo Ellen Miller, soprano Abigail Fischer, mezzo-soprano Zachary Wilder, tenor Aaron Engebreth, baritone $16-$80 (757) 892-6366 www.virginiasymphony.org Dec. 7 (7 p.m.) Salem Civic Center, 1001 Roanoke Boulevard Roanoke Symphony & Chorus David Stewart Wiley conducting Roanoke College Children’s Choir Elizabeth Crot, soprano Mill Mountain Ringers “Holiday Pops: It’s a Wonderful Life” program TBA $25-$80 (434) 434-9127 www.rso.com Dec. 7 (8 p.m.) Old Cabell Hall, University of Virginia, Charlottesville Dec. 15 (8 p.m.) St. Thomas Aquinas University Parish, University of Virginia, Charlottesville Virginia Glee Club Frank Albinder directing Christmas concerts program TBA $15 (434) 924-3376 http://artsandsciences.virginia.edu/music/concertsevents/index.html Dec. 8 (7 p.m.) Carpenter Theatre, Richmond CenterStage, Sixth and Grace streets Richmond Symphony & Chorus Steven Smith conducting Handel: “Messiah” Devon Guthrie, soprano Ellie Jarrett, mezzo-soprano Gregory Warren, tenor Matthew Burns, bass-baritone $12-$45 (800) 514-3849 (ETIX) www.richmondsymphony.com Dec. 8 (7 p.m.) Food Court, Chesterfield Towne Center, Huguenot Road at Midlothian Turnpike, Midlothian Dec. 9 (3 p.m.) Food Court, Virginia Center Commons, 10101 Brook Road (U.S. 1), Glen Allen Central Virginia Wind Symphony Mike Goldberg conducting Da Capo Virginia Tracee Prillaman directing Juan Conde (Dec. 8) & Kat Simons (Dec. 9), hosts “Holiday Spectacular”  Reineke: “River of Life” Sousa: “Washington Post March” Mozart-Barnes: “Il Re Pastore” Overture Rodgers-Moss: “Victory at Sea” Anderson: “Belle of the Ball” Lloyd Webber-Barker: selections from “The Phantom of the Opera” Bock-Warrington: selections from “Fiddler on the Roof” Anderson: “A Christmas Festival” Ployhar: “Christmas Sing-a-Long” Anderson: “Sleigh Ride” free (804) 342-8797 www.thewindsymphony.com Dec. 8 (8 p.m.) Old Cabell Hall, University of Virginia, Charlottesville U.Va. Chamber Singers Michael Slon directing Three Notch’d Road Baroque Ensemble Vivaldi: Magnificat Charpentier: “Messe de Minuit pour Noël” Bach: chorales and Chaconne for solo violin free  (434) 924-3376 http://artsandsciences.virginia.edu/music/concertsevents/index.html Dec. 8 (4:30 and 7 p.m.) Paramount Theater, 215 E. Main St., Charlottesville Ash Lawn Opera Kate Tamarkin conducting Menotti: “Amahl and the Night Visitors” Chloe Horner (Amahl) Brandy Lynn Hawkins (The Mother) Benjamin Bunshold (King Kaspar) Hyung Yun (King Melchior) Kenneth Kellog (King Balthasar) VaShawn McIllwain (The Page) Virginia Consort & Wilson School of Dance members Andrea Dorf McGray, stage director in English $27-$37 (434) 979-1333 www.ashlawnopera.com Dec. 8 (8 p.m.) Center for the Arts, George Mason University, Fairfax Fairfax Symphony Orchestra Christopher Zimmerman conducting Rossini: “La gazza ladra” Overture Tchaikovsky: Piano Concerto No. 1 James Dick, piano Tchaikovsky: Symphony No. 6 (“Pathétique”) $25-$55 (888) 945-2468 (Tickets.com) www.fairfaxsymphony.org Dec. 8 (8 p.m.) Dec. 22 (8 p.m.) Dec. 23 (3 p.m.) Music Center at Strathmore, 5301 Tuckerman Lane, North Bethesda, MD National Philharmonic & Chorale Stan Engebretson conducting Handel: “Messiah” Danielle Talamantes, soprano Magdalena Wór, mezzo-soprano Matthew Smith, tenor Kevin Deas, bass $28-$84 (301) 581-5100 www.strathmore.org Dec. 9 (4 p.m.) Bon Air Presbyterian Church, 9201 W. Huguenot Road, Richmond Second Sundays South of the James: chamber orchestra Anne Carr Regan conducting Handel: “Messiah” (sing-along performance) Karen Floyd Savage, soprano Heather Jones, mezzo-soprano James Taylor, tenor Chase Peake, bass Kim Peachy, harpsichord Stephen Henley, organ donation requested public rehearsal at 1 p.m. Dec. 8 at church (804) 272-7514 Dec. 9 (4 p.m.) Goochland High School, 3250 River Road West, Goochland County Richmond Symphony & Chorus Erin R. Freeman conducting Handel: “Messiah” (sing-along performance) Cynthia Hickman, Erin Stuhlman, Gabrielle Bergeret & Meredith Outlaw, sopranos Elise Jenkins & Ellen Broen, mezzo-sopranos Paul Brockman, tenor Stephen Wright, bass $20 (800) 838-3006 (Brown Paper Tickets) www.brownpapertickets.com/event/252951 Dec. 9 (5 and 8 p.m.) Cannon Memorial Chapel, University of Richmond UR Schola Cantorum & Women’s Chorale Jeffrey Riehl & David Pedersen directing Christmas Candlelight Service: Festival of Lessons and Carols free (804) 289-8980 www.modlin.richmond.edu Dec. 9 (2:30 p.m.) American Theatre, 125 E. Mellen St., Hampton Virginia Symphony Orchestra Holiday Brass holiday program TBA $25-$30 (757) 722-2787 www.hamptonarts.net Dec. 9 (7:30 p.m.) Terrace Theater, Kennedy Center, Washington Kennedy Center Chamber Players Milhaud: Suite for violin, clarinet and piano Franck: Sonata for cello and piano Bach: Sonata in G minor, BWV 1030b, for cello and piano Bartók: “Contrasts” for violin, clarinet and piano $35 (800) 444-1324 www.kennedy-center.org Dec. 9 (7 p.m.) Music Center at Strathmore, 5301 Tuckerman Lane, North Bethesda, MD MYCO Chamber Orchestra Mozart: Sinfonia concertante in E flat major, K. 364 Nurit Bar-Josef, violin Jonathan Carney, viola Mahler: “Totenfeier” from Symphony No. 2 (“Resurrection”) Tan Dun: “Internet Symphony” No. 1 (“Eroica”) $20-$22 (301) 581-5100 www.strathmore.org Dec. 10 (7:30 p.m.) Ferguson Arts Center, Christopher Newport University, Newport News The Irish Tenors Finbar Wright, Anthony Kearns & Ronan Tynan “The Premier Irish Holiday Celebration Tour”  program TBA $52-$82 (855) 337-4849 www.fergusoncenter.cnu.edu Dec. 11 (7:30 p.m.) Terrace Theater, Kennedy Center, Washington Fine Arts Quartet Haydn: Quartet in G major, Op. 77, No. 1 Efram Zimbalist: String Quartet (1959) Schubert: Quartet in D minor (“Death and the Maiden”) $38 (800) 444-1324 www.kennedy-center.org Dec. 12 (7:30 p.m.) Terrace Theater, Kennedy Center, Washington Vocal Arts DC: Vinson Cole, tenor pianist TBA program TBA $45 (800) 444-1324 www.kennedy-center.org Dec. 12 (8 p.m.) Music Center at Strathmore, 5301 Tuckerman Lane, North Bethesda, MD Baltimore Symphony Pops Robert Bernhardt conducting Baltimore Choral Arts Society “Holiday Pops Celebration” program TBA $28-$88 (877) 276-1444 (Baltimore Symphony box office) www.strathmore.org Dec. 13 (7 p.m.) Dec. 14 (8 p.m.) Dec. 15 (8 p.m.) Dec. 16 (7 p.m.) Kennedy Center Concert Hall, Washington National Symphony Orchestra Pops Randall Craig Fleischer conducting New York Voices “Happy Holidays” program TBA $20-$85 (800) 444-1324 www.kennedy-center.org Dec. 13 (8 p.m.) Music Center at Strathmore, 5301 Tuckerman Lane, North Bethesda, MD Mark O’Connor, violin/fiddle other artists TBA “An Appalachian Christmas” $25-$55 (301) 581-5100 www.strathmore.org Dec. 14 (8 p.m.) Center for the Arts, George Mason University, Fairfax Vienna Boys Choir “Christmas in Vienna” program TBA $25-$50 (888) 945-2468 (Tickets.com) http://cfa.gmu.edu/calendar/ Dec. 15 (2 p.m.) Gellman Room, Richmond Public Library, First and Franklin streets Richmond Boys Choir holiday program TBA free (804) 646-7223 www.richmondpubliclibrary.org Dec. 15 (8 p.m.) Center for the Arts, George Mason University, Fairfax The Romeros guitar quartet Concerto Malaga Massimo Paris conducting holiday program TBA $23-$46 (888) 945-2468 (Tickets.com) http://cfa.gmu.edu/calendar/ Dec. 15 (2 p.m.) Dec. 22 (1 and 4 p.m.) Kennedy Center Concert Hall, Washington The Washington Chorus Julian Wachner directing “A Candlelight Christmas” program TBA $18-$70 (800) 444-1324 www.kennedy-center.org Dec. 15 (2 p.m.) Coolidge Auditorium, Library of Congress, First Street at Independence Avenue S.E., Washington Peter Sheppard-Skærved, violin “The Paganini Project” program TBA  free; tickets required (703) 573-7328 (Ticketmaster) http://www.loc.gov/rr/perform/concert/1213-schedule.html Dec. 16 (4 p.m.) Lewis Ginter Botanical Garden, 1800 Lakeside Ave., Richmond Greater Richmond Children's Choir Hope Armstrong Erb directing “Festival of Holidays” program TBA (804) 201-1894 www.grcc.org Dec. 16 (1 p.m.) Kennedy Center Concert Hall, Washington Choral Arts Society of Washington chamber ensemble Joseph Holt directing Catherine Flye, playwright & director “A Family Christmas” program TBA $45 (800) 444-1324 www.kennedy-center.org Dec. 17 (7 p.m.) Dec. 24 (1 p.m.) Kennedy Center Concert Hall, Washington Choral Arts Society of Washington instrumental ensemble Scott Tucker directing “An Enchanted Christmas” program TBA $15-$70 (800) 444-1324 www.kennedy-center.org Dec. 18 (7:30 p.m.) American Theatre, 125 E. Mellen St., Hampton The Romeros guitar quartet Concerto Malaga Massimo Paris conducting holiday program TBA $40 (757) 722-2787 www.hamptonarts.net Dec. 18 (8 p.m.) Coolidge Auditorium, Library of Congress, First Street at Independence Avenue S.E., Washington Miró Quartet Ricardo Morales, clarinet Schubert: Quartet in G major, D. 887 Brahms: Clarinet Quintet free; tickets required (703) 573-7328 (Ticketmaster) http://www.loc.gov/rr/perform/concert/1213-schedule.html Dec. 20 (7 p.m.) Dec. 21 (8 p.m.) Dec. 22 (8 p.m.) Dec. 23 (1 p.m.) Kennedy Center Concert Hall, Washington National Symphony Orchestra Rolf Beck conducting Handel: “Messiah” Katherine Whyte, soprano Anthony Roth Constanzo, countertenor Sunnyboy Vincent Dladla, tenor Scott Conner, bass University of Maryland Chorus $10-$85 (800) 444-1324 www.kennedy-center.org Dec. 22 (8 p.m.) Center for the Arts, George Mason University, Fairfax American Festival Pops Orchestra Anthony Maiello conducting “Holiday Pops: Songs of the Season” program TBA (888) 945-2468 (Tickets.com) http://cfa.gmu.edu/calendar/ Dec. 30 (3 p.m.) Music Center at Strathmore, 5301 Tuckerman Lane, North Bethesda, MD The Strauss Symphony of America Mika Eichenholz conducting Mónika Fischl, soprano Michael Heim, tenor Kiev-Aniko Ballet of Ukraine dancers “New Year’s Concert 2013: Salute to Vienna” program TBA $49-$95 (301) 581-5100 www.strathmore.org Dec. 31 (8:30 p.m.) Kennedy Center Concert Hall, Washington National Symphony Orchestra Pops members Steven Reineke conducting Cheyenne Jackson, vocalist “Music of the ‘Mad Men’ Era” program TBA $55-$105 (800) 444-1324 www.kennedy-center.org 5 months ago | Comment | Tag | Read Full Story

Symphony gets challenge grant Letter V The Cabell Foundation has made a challenge grant to the Richmond Symphony, under which the foundation will match, dollar for dollar, new or increased contributions to the orchestra up to $500,000. The foundation’s $500,000 gift will go the Richmond Symphony Orchestra Foundation as a new endowed fund to recruit and retain musicians and administrators “required to sustain the Richmond Symphony as a leading regional orchestra,” according to a news release from the orchestra. Contributions matching the grant will go to the symphony’s operating budgets for the 2013 and 2014 fiscal years (about the same time spans as the 2012-13 and 2013-14 seasons). The challenge grant will be applied to new and increased contributions made through June 30, 2014. “Early success in the effort will be particularly important,” the release states, in an apparent reference to the ongoing impasse over reduced pay and benefits for symphony musicians. Terms of a proposed new contract, put into effect last month after being rejected by the musicians, were needed to address an accumulated debt of nearly $1.3 million, a spokesman for the board said. 5 months ago | Comment | Tag | Read Full Story

Castleton Festival 2013 Letter V The Castleton Festival, the summer series of opera, orchestral and chamber-music performances on the Rappahannock County estate of conductor Lorin Maazel and his wife, actress Dietlinde Turban Maazel, will stage new productions of Puccini’s “The Girl of the Golden West,” Verdi’s “Otello” and “La Voix Humane,” a double-bill of the play by Jean Cocteau and the opera by Francis Poulenc, in its fifth season, running from July 6-28. The 2013 festival also will present concert performances of Mahler’s Fourth Symphony and Mendelssohn’s Fifth (“Reformation”) Symphony, Mahler’s Fifth Symphony and a new work by a young American composer, Andrew Lloyd Webber’s Requiem and Brahms’ Serenade No. 2, Britten’s “A Young Person’s Guide to the Orchestra” and “Les Illuminations” and Tchaikovsky’s “1812 Overture,” and a program of Mahler art-songs. The festival, founded by the Maazels in 2009, draws 40 young singers and more than 70 young instrumentalists to work with the conductor and other leading professional musicians, next summer including singers Denyce Graves, James Morris and Neil Shicoff. Singers in the Castleton Artists Training Seminar (C.A.T.S.) and the Castleton Chamber Players will be featured in recitals throughout the festival. Ticket subscriptions for Castleton events are now on sale. For details, including a program schedule, visit the festival’s website, www.castletonfestival.com 5 months ago | Comment | Tag | Read Full Story