Virginia Symphony Orchestra
Virginia Symphony Orchestra Chorus
JoAnn Falletta, conductor
Olga Kern, piano
Jennifer Check, soprano; Fleur Barron, mezzo-soprano; Gene Stenger, tenor; Darren Stokes, bass
“JoAnn Falletta…one of the finest conductors of her generation.”
-The New York Times
“Olga Kern: Her electricity at the keyboard is palpable, and though she generates from the music itself, as it flows through her fingers it takes on fresh voltage that is unmistakably hers.”
-The Washington Post
An emotional farewell, a brilliant first, and a momentous birthday celebration…all in one spectacular concert!
Marking her final season as Music Director of the Virginia Symphony Orchestra, Grammy Award-winning conductor JoAnn Falletta leads orchestra, soloists and the Virginia Symphony Chorus in Beethoven's soaring Ninth Symphony, with its beloved anthem "Ode to Joy"--and Van Cliburn Gold Medalist Olga Kern makes her VSO debut performing one of Beethoven's most beloved works for piano, the Emperor Concerto. It’s all part of the worldwide celebration of Ludwig van Beethoven’s 250th birthday, and it promises to be the musical event of the season.
Co-presented with Virginia Symphony Orchestra.
Performance length is 120 minutes total, including an intermission
Pre-concert lecture beginning at 7PM, free to ticket-holders
This production made possible through a generous gift from the Susan Goode Performance Fund
Media Sponsors: WHRO Public Media, Distinction Magazine
Supported in part by the Friedrich Ludwig Diehn Fund of the Hampton Roads Community Foundation
5/15 This program funded in part by the city of Newport News Arts Commission