HAMPTON ROADS, VA [July 31, 2017] — Single tickets to the Virginia Symphony Orchestra’s 2017-2018 season go on sale today, Monday, July 31, 2017 at 9:00 am.

In its 97th season, the orchestra will present a series of Classical, POPS and family concerts in eight venues across Hampton Roads. Prices range from $25 – $110 for the Classics and POPS concerts. PB&J concert tickets are only $11 for children and $16 for adults. Subscriptions are available for purchase by section and range from $44 to $765.

To purchase, call 757.892.6366, visit www.virginiasymphony.org or stop by the Virginia Symphony Box Office at 150 Boush Street, Suite 201, Norfolk, VA 23510 from 9 a.m. – 4:30 p.m., Monday – Friday. 

CLASSICS

The Norfolk Classics Series is sponsored by Norfolk Southern.

From a Five-Time Grammy Winner to Holst’s The Planets | Sept. 22-24
The season opens with a stellar concert featuring Newport News native Victor Wooten of Béla Fleck and the Flecktones performing a piece written just for him, The Bass Whisperer. In celebration of NASA Langley’s 100th anniversary, the concert concludes with Holst’s The Planets. The September 22 concert is sponsored in part by CSX. 

The Best of Wagner’s Ring Cycle | Oct. 20-22
Wagner’s 15-hour Ring Cycle is to opera what The Lord of the Rings is to literature and film! The Ring includes some of the most scintillating music ever written – join us as JoAnn Falletta and a special guest narrator weave this timeless fairy tale into a single magical evening of love, greed, revenge and jealousy in both the human and godly realms! 

Reformation Symphony | Nov. 3-5
We mark the 500th Anniversary of the Reformation by presenting one of Mendelssohn’s grandest symphonies, one written “to celebrate the Church Revolution,” together with the piece that inspired it – Bach’s Cantata No. 80. We will hear a wonderful keyboard concerto from Bach’s hand, performed by the renowned international star and best-selling pianist Simone Dinnerstein.

Handel’s Messiah | Dec. 14-16
Adam Turner conducts the Virginia Symphony Orchestra for the time-honored Christmas tradition of George Frideric Handel’s revered oratorio, Messiah. Get in the spirit of the season with this distinguished performance of Handel’s sacred masterpiece that presents the austere and dramatic narrative of the Messiah. 

A Roman Holiday | Jan. 19-21
Share the warmth of the seven hills of Rome as the Orchestra features Respighi’s powerful Roman Festivals, the third in his popular “Roman Trilogy” of orchestral favorites. This enchanting concert includes with Beethoven’s beloved Violin Concerto performed by soloist Tianwa Yang, the beautiful Intermezzo from Cavelleria Rusticana is one of those timeless pieces you never forget.

Classics from Chopin and Brahms | Feb. 23-25
Join JoAnn Falletta and the Orchestra for Brahms’ magnificent Symphony No. 1. Chopin’s moving and inspired Piano Concerto No. 2 rounds out the program while highlighting the talents of French pianist Prisca Benoît, known for her refined touch and powerful sound. This concert weekend is sponsored by Sentara.

Scheherazade and a Philip Glass Fantasy | March 9-11
Eric Jacobsen (conductor and co-founder of the out-of-the-box orchestral ensemble The Knights) guest conducts a contemporary masterwork by Philip Glass, featuring two of the VSO’s beloved principal players, Michael Laubach and Robert Cross. The concert concludes with Scheherazade, the musical portrayal of a story from One Thousand and One Nights in which the Persian queen Scheherazade saves her own life through cunning storytelling.

Carmina Burana PLUS a World Premiere! | April 6-8
The VSO’s Classics season closes with one of the most recognizable works of all time – Carmina Burana. Based on 24 of the poems found in the medieval collection Carmina Burana, this 20th-century choral masterpiece has been heard countless times in film, television and even at professional sporting events. Also on this dynamic program is a world premiere of Michael Daugherty’s Concerto for Orchestra, commissioned by Susan and David Goode and inspired by the steam locomotive photography of O. Winston Link. Our partners for this production include the Virginia Museum of Transportation and the O. Winston Link Museum in Roanoke.

WILLIAMSBURG CLASSICS

Copland’s Clarinet Concerto | Oct. 12
The 2017-2018 Williamsburg Classics series opens with Respighi’s Botticelli Triptych, a marvelous and colorful piece inspired by Italian painter Sandro Botticelli’s Early Renaissance paintings in the Uffizi Gallery in Florence. The program continues with Principal Clarinet Michael Byerly’s VSO solo debut in a dreamy concerto from America’s most beloved native composer, Aaron Copland. Commissioned by jazz clarinetist Benny Goodman, Copland’s Clarinet Concerto was influenced by Brazilian folk music heard on his travels through South America. The two-movement concerto is languid yet expressive in its first movement and becomes restive and audacious in the second. The concert concludes with Brahms’ mellow and airy Serenade No. 2 constructed around a multi-movement suite model.

Beethoven’s Symphony No. 2 | Nov. 9
The second installment of this season’s Williamsburg Classics Series begins with Hungarian composer Zoltán Kodály’s Dances of Galanta. An avid collector of Hungarian folk songs, Kodály based the piece on the folk music of Galanta, and it bears an evocative, fervent quality that ignites glowing orchestral sonorities. The program proceeds with Barber’s Knoxville: Summer of 1915. This “lush, richly textured” work is set to excerpts from a 1938 prose poem by James Agee that later became a preamble to his Pulitzer Prize-winning book A Death in the Family (1957). The concert concludes with Beethoven’s more relaxed and blithe Symphony No. 2, one of the final works of his “early period.”

Holiday Brass | Dec. 15
The bold sounds of the Virginia Symphony Brass section ring in the holidays with a blast! Experience the festive sounds of the season in a concert filled with wit, virtuosity, and the glorious music of the holidays—featuring the VSO brass and percussion sections. You’ll enjoy music from a variety of styles that make this concert one holiday delight you won’t want to miss!

Mozart’s Haffner Symphony | March 23
The final Williamsburg Classics program opens with György Ligeti’s Concert Romanesc, a modestly modern piece composed in four movements played without pause. Using elements from the Romanian folk tradition, Ligeti echoes childhood memories of Alpine horns heard in the Carpathian Mountains. William Walton’s viola concerto, featuring Juilliard graduate and Chesapeake, VA native Andrew Gonzalez, is an emotionally gripping piece and is arguably the first great viola concerto of the 20th century. The performance concludes with Mozart’s Symphony No. 35. Also called the Haffner Symphony, the work has a spirited first movement that is, Mozart said, to be played with fire, followed by an unhurried, graceful second movement, a bright, atmospheric third, and ending in a fervid finale that Mozart advised be played “as fast as possible.”

REGENT CLASSICS

This series is sponsored by Regent University.

Copland’s Clarinet Concerto | Oct. 14
The 2017-2018 Regent Classics series opens with Respighi’s Botticelli Triptych, a marvelous and colorful piece inspired by Italian artist Sandro Botticelli’s Early Renaissance paintings. Hear Principal Clarinet Michael Byerly’s VSO solo debut in a dreamy concerto from America’s most beloved native composer, Aaron Copland. Commissioned by Benny Goodman, Copland’s Clarinet Concerto was influenced by Brazilian folk music he heard on his travels through South America. The Concerto is languid yet expressive in its first movement and becomes restive and audacious in its second. The concert concludes with Brahms’s mellow and airy Serenade No. 2.

Beethoven’s Symphony No. 2 | Nov. 11
The second installment of the series begins with Hungarian composer Zoltán Kodály’s Dances of Galanta. Kodály based the piece on the folk music of Galanta, a small town in western Slovakia, and it bears an evocative, fervent quality that ignites glowing orchestral sonorities. Celebrated soprano and Chesapeake, VA native Aundi Marie Moore will join the VSO for Barber’s lush, richly textured Knoxville: Summer of 1915. The concert concludes with Beethoven’s Symphony No. 2, one of the final works of his “early period.”

Handel’s Messiah | Dec. 14
Guest artist Adam Turner conducts the Virginia Symphony Orchestra for the time-honored Christmas tradition of George Frideric Handel’s revered oratorio, Messiah. Get in the spirit of the season with this distinguished performance of Handel’s sacred masterpiece that presents the austere and dramatic narrative of the Messiah. From Isaiah’s prophecies to the Hallelujah Chorus, you will be brought to your feet in the Messiah performance of the season.

Musical Genius “Squared” | May 18
This remarkable performance will feature signature works by two musical icons – Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, arguably the greatest composer of all time, and “America’s foremost composer,” Aaron Copland. Mozart’s Haffner Symphony is one of his most famous, and like many of his works, it has a backstory nearly as interesting as the music itself. Copland’s Appalachian Spring was a commission by famed dancer Martha Graham and, throughout the years, has become an American anthem as important to our national heritage as apple pie.

 #VSOatROPER

The TCC Roper Performing Arts Center is our educational partner for this series.

Voices of Veterans | Oct. 6
The VSO honors our region’s remarkable military community with music inspired by the valor and sacrifice of the men and women of the nation’s armed forces. We will feature the work of composers and artists who used their creativity to process their own experiences of war. The program will include engaging community conversations about the challenges armed forces personnel and their families face, both in the line of duty and in their civilian lives. 

Women in Music | Nov. 16
One of the leading conductors of her generation in a field historically dominated by men, Grammy-winning music director JoAnn Falletta explores the incredible contributions of women in music, both modern and throughout history. While some composed in the shadows of their more famous brothers or husbands, some were respected as geniuses in their day but had been since neglected by history. More recently, the shift toward the inclusion and recognition of women’s achievements in the fields of fine and performing arts offers a rich heritage for exploration, discussion, and an opportunity to discover new favorites. As one of the early champions of the cause of new music including pieces composed and popularized by women, JoAnn leads the Orchestra in a performance which will both entertain and inspire. 

Holiday Brass | Dec. 14
The bold sounds of the Virginia Symphony brass section ring in the holidays with a blast! Experience the festive sounds of the season in a concert filled with wit, virtuosity, and the glorious music of the holidays—featuring the VSO brass and percussion sections. You’ll enjoy music from a variety of styles that make this concert one holiday delight you won’t want to miss!

Songs of Freedom | Feb. 2
Songs of Freedom explores how communities along the Underground Railroad used spirituals to communicate and inspire hope in the pursuit of freedom. Though primarily expressions of faith, these spirituals may have served as disguised protests. A source of comfort and strength, these songs imagined a life of freedom and created a sense of unity and broader community among slaves. This program will draw on the work of Dr. Maureen Elgersman Lee and Dr. Cassandra Newby-Alexander, of Hampton University and Norfolk State University, respectively. Both will lend their insights as part of the evening. 

POPS

The Newport News Pops Series is sponsored by Newport News Shipbuilding.

Unforgettable: The Music of Nat King Cole | Sept. 28 & 30
Unforgettable is the music of Nat King Cole. The baritone crooner, a paragon of America’s jazz and big band heyday, swooned listeners with hits like “Straighten Up and Fly Right,” “Route 66,” “Nature Boy,” and his signature song, “Unforgettable.” Joined by one of Canada’s favorite jazz vocalists, Juno Award-nominee Denzal Sinclair, the Virginia Symphony Orchestra will perform a tribute to Cole with “Unforgettable: The Music of Nat King Cole.”

Faithfully: A Symphonic Tribute to the Music of Journey and Classic Rock | Oct. 27 & 28
Forever yours. Faithfully. For decades, Journey has been one of the world’s most revered rock bands of all time. With 25 gold and platinum albums, and 19 Top 40 singles, this year the world celebrates their influence with the band’s induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. Join Benjamin Rous and the Virginia Symphony Orchestra for its own celebration of the band that never stopped believing. Faithfully: The Music of Journey boasts all the beloved rock ballads and hits like “Don’t Stop Believin’,” “Open Arms,” “Lights,” and, of course, “Faithfully.” This concert is sponsored by Grow and Southern Bank.

Holiday POPS! | Dec. 8-10
There’s no better way to lift your spirits than with seasonal songs and traditional carols delivered in full sound and spectacle by the Virginia Symphony, the inspirational voices of Virginia Symphony Orchestra Chorus and special guests. Led by conductor Robert Shoup, Holiday Pops will have all the magical elements you’ve come to expect! This concert is sponsored by LifeNet Health.

Elvis: The King’s Songbook | Feb. 1 & 3
All hail The King! Elvis Presley reigned supreme as The King of Rock n’ Roll in the ‘50s. His energetic style and wanton stage presence evoked controversial reactions, with one local Wisconsin newspaper calling Presley a “definite danger to the security of the United States.” Nonetheless, Elvis topped charts with infectious ballads well into the ‘70s. With hits like “Heartbreak Hotel,” “Hound Dog,” “Blue Suede Shoes,” and “All Shook Up,” Elvis took the world by storm and sparked an evolution in popular music like never before. Join the Virginia Symphony Orchestra and Michael Krajewski, music director of the Philly Pops, for a rockin’ good time.

The Music of John Williams | March 24
With a career spanning over six decades, John Williams has composed some of the most popular and recognizable film scores in the history of cinema, including Indiana Jones, Schindler’s List, Jurassic Park, and most notably Star Wars, which was selected by the American Film Institute as the greatest American film score of all time. Williams, who holds the record for most Oscar nominations (50) for a living person, transports audiences to new worlds through heart-pounding, awe-inspiring musical adventures.

PBJ

This series is sponsored by Capital Group.

Halloween Spooktacular | Oct. 29
Kids and grownups! Dress up in your favorite Halloween costume and join Robert Shoup and the VSO for a ghoulish afternoon of monstrous fun! The Orchestra will perform some of the spookiest music ever written. But don’t be afraid – this concert is more TREAT than TRICK!

Jingle Bell Jam | Dec. 10
Santa Claus is coming to town and he’s stopping by to be a part of the VSO’s ever-popular Jingle Bell Jam! Celebrate the magic of the season with an afternoon that showcases the music of the holidays performed by the best talent in Hampton Roads. You won’t want to miss this holly jolly concert! Get your tickets early– this family favorite is sure to sell out!

Super Heroes! | Jan. 27
Put on your super suit for a super epic adventure! The VSO, side-by-side with the Bay Youth Symphony Orchestra, will perform music from your favorite superhero movies like Superman, Batman, Spiderman and more! This high-energy concert will have you flying high!

Lemony Snicket’s The Composer is Dead | May 20
The composer is dead! But where is the culprit lurking? In the strings? The lower brass? The woodwinds? Young music loving sleuths can unravel the mystery in a concert of wit, wonder and whimsy! Experience how all the instruments of the symphony combine to bring the story to life!

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Under the leadership of GRAMMY-winning music director JoAnn Falletta, the Virginia Symphony Orchestra is Virginia’s preeminent professional symphony orchestra with a mission of inspiring, educating and connecting audiences of all ages.

Founded in 1921, it is ranked in the top ten percent of professional orchestras nationwide and serves the entire Southeastern Virginia region with Classics, Pops and Family concert series in Norfolk, Virginia Beach, Newport News and Williamsburg as well as performances in outlying Virginia and North Carolina communities, reaching nearly 150,000 concert-goers every year. Additionally, the orchestra annually reaches 45,000 children, students and lifelong learners with its education and community programs. The Virginia Symphony has performed at Carnegie Hall and the Kennedy Center and is the cornerstone of the performing arts in Hampton Roads.