A new children's classic

On Oct. 31, the Richmond Symphony launches its new Lollipops series for children and families with a piece that's fast becoming the toast of kiddie concerts: "The Composer Is Dead," a "musical murder mystery" composed by Nathaniel Stookey to a text by Daniel Handler (a.k.a. Lemony Snicket).

"The Composer Is Dead," which has been performed more than 50 times since its 2006 premiere by the San Francisco Symphony, scores both with audiences and musicians, Daniel J. Kushner writes at NewMusicBox:

http://www.newmusicbox.org/article.nmbx?id=6135

Erin Freeman conducts the Richmond Symphony, with Nathaniel Stookey narrating, in "The Composer Is Dead," at 11 a.m. Oct. 31 at the Carpenter Theatre of Richmond CenterStage, Sixth and Grace streets. (Pre-concert activities begin at 10 a.m.) Tickets: $17. Details: (800) 927-2787 (Ticketmaster); www.richmondsymphony.com