From now on

You’ll have noticed the sparsity of postings here through the summer and fall. I’ve been suffering from assorted and stubborn maladies. The big ones are in large part consequences of my having sat hunched over keyboards (typewriter, then computer) for more than 40 years. To keep these ailments at bay, I need to spend less time at the computer.

While I’ll continue to produce Letter V, I’ll do so as I had planned to in the first place: Providing a comprehensive calendar of classical events in Virginia and the Washington area on the first of each month, and selectively posting news items and reviews of performances.

Selectivity got lost in the shuffle. Other local media weren’t covering a lot of noteworthy events, old habits kicked in, and pretty soon I was reviewing most of the ticketed classical performances in the Richmond area, spending three or four nights a week going to concerts and coming home to spend another couple of hours at the keyboard.

Mind and body were signaling me to ease up, I tuned out the signals, and I’ve been paying for it.

I seem to be over the worst of it now. (One doctor told me I am “approaching normality.” Hmm.) To avoid relapses, I’m going to attend and review fewer performances. I’ll be absent from some events that many readers would consider major, and will cover events that some might consider marginal or offbeat. When local presenters cluster events into a few days, as they seem to be doing with greater frequency each season, I’ll almost certainly skip some.

Regrets in advance to those whose performances I miss. I’ve learned the hard way that there are limits, and to respect those limits.

January calendar

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 Chamber Music Society of Central Virginia presents cellist James Wilson and friends – including four baroque violinists – in “Winter Baroque” programs of Vivaldi, Biber, Telemann, Corelli and others, Jan. 6 and 8 at First Unitarian Universalist Church, plus a free noontime program, “Chaconne,” Jan. 7 in the Gellman Room of the Richmond Public Library. . . . Classical guitarist Jason Vieaux joins Steven Smith and the Richmond Symphony for Rodrigo’s “Concierto de Aranjuez,” Jan. 14-15 at Richmond CenterStage, while three of the orchestra’s principals are featured in a Metro Collection program of Mozart, Rameau, Barber and John Adams, Jan. 29 at Randolph-Macon College in Ashland. . . . The Richmond Symphony Youth Orchestra celebrates its 50th anniversary, Jan. 28 at Richmond CenterStage. . . . Pianist Garrick Ohlsson visits for an all-Liszt program, Jan. 18 at the University of Richmond’s Modlin Arts Center. . . . Lyric Opera Virginia returns for its second production, of Rodgers & Hammerstein’s “The King and I,” Jan. 20 and 22 at Richmond’s Landmark Theater (with earlier performances at the Sandler Arts Center in Virginia Beach, and later dates at the Ferguson Arts Center in Newport News). . . . Montreal’s Ensemble Appassionata, with pianist Richard Raymond, perform in a Rennolds Chamber Concerts program, Jan. 21 at Virginia Commonwealth University’s Singleton Arts Center. The ensemble, conducted by Daniel Myssyk, sticks around for a side-by-side date with the VCU Symphony Orchestra, also led by Myssyk, playing Dvořák’s “New World” Symphony and the U.S. premiere of the “Ben Seni Variations” by VCU’s Doug Richards, Jan. 24 at the Singleton Center.

* Violinists hither and yon: Leila Josefowicz joins Hannu Lintu and the National Symphony in Steven Mackey’s “Beautiful Passing,” Jan. 12-14 at Washington’s Kennedy Center. . . . Pinchas Zukerman conducts London’s Royal Philharmonic, and plays the Beethoven Violin Concerto, Jan. 13 at the Ferguson Center in Newport News. . . . Gil Shaham joins JoAnn Falletta and the Virginia Symphony for Barber’s Violin Concerto, Jan. 20-22 at three Hampton Roads venues. . . . Joshua Bell gives a recital of Mendelssohn, Brahms, Ravel, Ysaÿe and Gershwin, Jan. 23 at the Kennedy Center.


Jan. 6 (7:30 p.m.)
First Unitarian Universalist Church, 1000 Blanton Ave. at the Carillon, Richmond
Chamber Music Society of Central Virginia:
Krista Bennion Feeney, Theresa Salomon, Fiona Hughes & David McCormick, baroque violins
James Wilson, baroque cello
Mary Boodell, traverse flute
David Walker, lute
Carsten Schmidt, harpsichord
“Red Priest”
Vivaldi: “Winter” from “The Four Seasons”
works TBA by Corelli, Locatelli
$25
(804) 519-2098
http://www.cmscva.org/

Jan. 6 (8 p.m.)
Jan. 8 (2:30 p.m.)
Sandler Arts Center, 201 S. Market St., Virginia Beach
Lyric Opera Virginia
Joseph Walsh conducting
Rodgers & Hammerstein: “The King and I”
Kevin Gray (The King)
Lisa Vroman (Anna)
Diane Phelan (Tuptim)
Nathaniel Hackman (Lun Tha)
Aundi Marie Moore (Lady Thiang)
Benjamin Branigan (Louis Leonowens)
Greg Ganakas, stage director
in English
SOLD OUT
(757) 385-2787
http://www.lyricoperavirginia.org/

Jan. 7 (noon)
Gellman Room, Richmond Public Library, First and Franklin streets
Chamber Music Society of Central Virginia:
Krista Bennion Feeney, Theresa Salomon, Fiona Hughes & David McCormick, baroque violins
James Wilson, baroque cello
Mary Boodell, traverse flute
David Walker, lute
Carsten Schmidt, harpsichord
“Chaconne”
works TBA by Purcell, Vivaldi, Corelli, Leclair
free
(804) 519-2098
http://www.cmscva.org/

Jan. 7 (2 p.m.)
Terrace Theater, Kennedy Center, Washington
Orion Weiss, piano
works by Bach, Dutilleux, Liszt, Schumann
$38
(202) 785-9727 (Washington Performing Arts Society)
http://www.wpas.org/

Jan. 8 (4 p.m.)
First Unitarian Universalist Church, 1000 Blanton Ave. at the Carillon, Richmond
Chamber Music Society of Central Virginia:
Krista Bennion Feeney, Theresa Salomon, Fiona Hughes & David McCormick, baroque violins
James Wilson, baroque cello
Mary Boodell, traverse flute
David Walker, lute
Carsten Schmidt, harpsichord
“Agony and Ecstasy”
Fux: Overture in D minor 
Biber: Sonata in D minor (“Annunciation”)
Biber: Sonata in F major
Telemann: “Paris” Quartet No. 2
Biber: Passacaglia in G minor
Biber: Sonata in G major (“Resurrection”)
Pachelbel: Canon in D major
Telemann: Concerto in A major from "Tafelmusik" Book 1
$25
(804) 519-2098
http://www.cmscva.org/

Jan. 8 (4 p.m.)
Bon Air Presbyterian Church, 9201 W. Huguenot Road, Richmond
Second Sunday South of the James:
members & guests TBA
program TBA
donation requested
(804) 272-7514

Jan. 11 (3:30 p.m.)
Carpenter Theatre, Richmond CenterStage, Sixth and Grace streets
Richmond Symphony
Steven Smith conducting
War of 1812 Commemorative Concert
Tchaikovsky: “1812 Overture”
other works TBA
free; tickets required
(804) 788-1212
http://www.richmondsymphony.com/

Jan. 12 (7 p.m.)
Jan. 13 (8 p.m.)
Jan. 14 (8 p.m.)
Kennedy Center Concert Hall, Washington
National Symphony Orchestra
Hannu Lintu conducting
Debussy: Preludes
Steven Mackey: “Beautiful Passing”
Leila Josefowicz, violin
Sibelius: Symphony No. 5
$20-$85
(800) 444-1324
http://www.kennedy-center.org/

Jan. 13 (8 p.m.)
Ferguson Arts Center, Christopher Newport University, Newport News
Royal Philharmonic
Pinchas Zukerman conducting
Beethoven: “Egmont” Overture
Beethoven: Violin Concerto
Pinchas Zukerman, violin
Elgar: “Enigma Variations”
$39-$69
(877) 840-0457
http://www.fergusoncenter.cnu.edu/

Jan. 14 (8 p.m.)
Jan. 15 (3 p.m.)
Carpenter Theatre, Richmond CenterStage, Sixth and Grace streets
Richmond Symphony
Steven Smith conducting
Piazzolla: “Tangazo”
Rodrigo: “Concierto de Aranjuez”
Jason Vieaux, classical guitar
William Bolcom: “Commedia, for (almost) 18th-Century Orchestra”
Mozart: Symphony No. 39 in E flat major, K. 543
$18-$73
(800) 514-3849 (ETIX)
http://www.richmondsymphony.com/

Jan. 14 (8 p.m.)
Center for the Arts, George Mason University, Fairfax
Jan. 15 (3 p.m.)
Hylton Arts Center, George Mason University, Manassas
Fairfax Symphony Orchestra
Christopher Zimmerman conducting
Glazunov: “Chant du Ménéstrel”
Haydn: Cello Concerto in C major
Sergey Antonov, cello
Shostakovich: Symphony No. 11 (“The Year 1905”)
$25-$55
(888) 945-2468 (Tickets.com)
http://www.fairfaxsymphony.org/

Jan. 15 (7 p.m.)
Second Calvary Baptist Church, 2940 Corprew Ave., Norfolk
Virginia Symphony
Benjamin Rous conducting
“Songs for a Dreamer, a Tribute to Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.”
Adolphus Hailstork: “Fanfare on ‘Amazing Grace’ ”
Duke Ellington: Martin Luther King section of “Three Black Kings”
Stephanie Sanders, saxophone
George Walker: Suite for violin and orchestra (2nd movement)
Brendan Elliott, violin
Moses Hogan: “His Light Still Shines”
Norfolk State University Jazz Ensemble
free
(757) 213-1421
http://www.virginiasymphony.org/

Jan. 16 (7:30 p.m.)
Grace and Holy Trinity Episcopal Church, 8 N. Laurel St., Richmond
Greater Richmond Children’s Choir
Grace and Holy Trinity Adult Choir
Ebenezer Baptist Sanctuary Choir
“Martin Luther King Jr. Celebration of Unity Concert”
program TBA
free
(804) 359-5628
www.grcchoir.org

Jan. 18 (7:30 p.m.)
Camp Concert Hall, Modlin Arts Center, University of Richmond
Garrick Ohlsson, piano
Bach-Liszt: Fantasy and Fugue in G minor
Liszt: “Jeux d’eaux à la Villa d’Este”
Liszt: Sonata in B minor
$40
(804) 289-8980
http://www.modlin.richmond.edu/

Jan. 18 (7:30 p.m.)
Terrace Theater, Kennedy Center, Washington
Weiss-Kaplan-Newman Trio
Beethoven: Piano Trio in D major, Op. 70, No. 1 (“Ghost”)
Newman: “Juxt-Opposition”
Higdon: Piano Trio
Schubert: Piano Trio in B flat major, D. 898
$32
(800) 444-1324
http://www.kennedy-center.org/

Jan. 19 (7 p.m.)
Jan. 20 (8 p.m.)
Jan. 21 (8 p.m.)
Kennedy Center Concert Hall, Washington
National Symphony Orchestra
James Gaffigan conducting
Mozart: Divertimento in D major, K. 136
Schumann: Piano Concerto in A minor
Ingrid Fliter, piano
Glanert: “Fluss ohne Ufer”
Mozart: Symphony No. 41 in C major, K. 551 (“Jupiter”)
$20-$85
(800) 444-1324
http://www.kennedy-center.org/

Jan. 20 (8 p.m.)
Jan. 22 (2:30 p.m.)
Landmark Theater, Main and Laurel streets, Richmond
Lyric Opera Virginia
Joseph Walsh conducting
Rodgers & Hammerstein: “The King and I”
Kevin Gray (The King)
Lisa Vroman (Anna)
Diane Phelan (Tuptim)
Nathaniel Hackman (Lun Tha)
Aundi Marie Moore (Lady Thiang)
Benjamin Branigan (Louis Leonowens)
Greg Ganakas, stage director
in English
$20-$85
(757) 446-6666
http://www.lyricoperavirginia.org/

Jan. 20 (8 p.m.)
Ferguson Arts Center, Christopher Newport University, Newport News
Jan. 21 (8 p.m.)
Chrysler Hall, 201 Brambleton Ave., Norfolk
Jan. 22 (2:30 p.m.)
Sandler Arts Center, 201 S. Market St., Virginia Beach
Virginia Symphony
JoAnn Falletta conducting
Copland: “Appalachian Spring”
Barber: Violin Concerto
Gil Shaham, violin
Dvořák: Symphony No. 9 in E minor (“From the New World”)
$20-$87
(757) 892-6366
http://www.virginiasymphony.org/

Jan. 21 (8 p.m.)
Vlahcevic Concert Hall, Singleton Arts Center, Virginia Commonwealth University, Park Avenue at Harrison Street, Richmond
Rennolds Chamber Concerts:
Ensemble Appassionata
Daniel Myssyk conducting
Hindemith: “The Four Temperaments”
Chopin: “Andante spianato and Grand Polonaise brilliante”
Richard Raymond, piano
André Prévost: Scherzo for strings
Dvořák: Serenade for strings
$32
(804) 828-6776
http://www.vcu.edu/arts/music/dept/events/index.html

Jan. 21 (8 p.m.)
Carpenter Theatre, Richmond CenterStage, Sixth and Grace streets
Richmond Symphony Pops
Erin R. Freeman conducting
Patti Austin, guest star
“For Ella,” songs of Ella Fitzgerald
$18-$76
(800) 514-3849 (ETIX)
http://www.richmondsymphony.com/

Jan. 22 (2 p.m.)
Terrace Theater, Kennedy Center, Washington
Kennedy Center Chamber Players
Bruch: “Eight Pieces,” Op. 83, for clarinet, viola and piano (Nos. 2, 5, 6, 7)
Prokoviev: Sonata in D major, Op. 94 (bassoon-piano arr.)
Beethoven: Piano Trio in B flat major, Op. 97 (“Archduke”)
$35
(800) 444-1324
http://www.kennedy-center.org/

Jan. 23 (8 p.m.)
Kennedy Center Concert Hall, Washington
Joshua Bell, violin
Sam Haywood, piano
Mendelssohn: Sonata in F major
Brahms: Sonata No. 3 in D minor, Op. 108
Ravel: Sonata
Ysaÿe: Sonata in D minor for solo violin, Op. 27, No. 3 (“Ballade”)
Gershwin: three preludes
$45-$115
(202) 785-9727 (Washington Performing Arts Society)
http://www.wpas.org/

Jan. 24 (8 p.m.)
Vlahcevic Concert Hall, Singleton Arts Center, Virginia Commonwealth University, Park Avenue at Harrison Street, Richmond
VCU Symphony Orchestra
Ensemble Appassionata
Daniel Myssyk conducting
Doug Richards: “Ben Seni Variations” (U.S. premiere)
Dvořák: Symphony No. 9 in E minor (“From the New World”)
$15
(804) 828-6776
http://www.vcu.edu/arts/music/dept/events/index.html

Jan. 26 (7 p.m.)
Jan. 28 (8 p.m.)
Jan. 29 (3 p.m.)
Kennedy Center Concert Hall, Washington
National Symphony Orchestra
Christoph Eschenbach conducting
Jörg Widmann: “Armonica”Christa Schönfeldinger, glass harmonica
Mozart: Clarinet Concerto in A major, K. 622Jörg Widmann, clarinet
Schubert: Symphony No. 9 in C major (“Great”)$20-$85
(800) 444-1324
http://www.kennedy-center.org/

Jan. 26 (7:30 p.m.)
Terrace Theater, Kennedy Center, Washington
Vocal Arts DC:
Lydia Teuscher, soprano
Graham Johnson, piano
program TBA$45
(800) 444-1324
http://www.kennedy-center.org/

Jan. 27 (8 p.m.)
Jan. 29 (2:30 p.m.)
Ferguson Arts Center, Christopher Newport University, Newport News
Lyric Opera Virginia
Joseph Walsh conducting
Rodgers & Hammerstein: “The King and I”Kevin Gray (The King)
Lisa Vroman (Anna)
Diane Phelan (Tuptim)
Nathaniel Hackman (Lun Tha)
Aundi Marie Moore (Lady Thiang)
Benjamin Branigan (Louis Leonowens)
Greg Ganakas, stage director
in English
$20-$85
(757) 594-8752
http://www.lyricoperavirginia.org/

Jan. 27 (8 p.m.)
Old Cabell Hall, University of Virginia, Charlottesville
UVa Chamber Music Festival:
Rivanna String Quartet
works by Beethoven, Britten, Dvořák
$20
(434) 924-3376
http://artsandsciences.virginia.edu/music/concertsevents/index.html

Jan. 28 (2 p.m.)
Gellman Room, Richmond Public Library, First and Franklin streets
Maria Yefimova, piano
works by Chopin, Liszt, Scriabin, Debussy, Rachmaninoff
free
(804) 646-7223
http://www.richmondpubliclibrary.org/

Jan. 28 (7 p.m.)
Carpenter Theatre, Richmond CenterStage, Sixth and Grace streets
Richmond Symphony Youth Orchestra
Youth Concert Orchestra
Camerata Strings
String Sinfonietta
alumni soloists TBA
Steven Smith & Erin R. Freeman conducting
Youth Orchestra Program 50th anniversary concert
program TBA
pre-concert reception at 5:30 p.m. at University of Richmond downtown building, Seventh and Broad streets
$10-$30; $75 with reception
(804) 788-1212
http://www.richmondsymphony.com/

Jan. 28 (8 p.m.)
Harrison Opera House, 160 E. Virginia Beach Boulevard, Norfolk
Virginia Opera
Steven Jarvi conducting
Philip Glass: “Orphée”
Matthew Worth (Orphée)
Sara Jakubiak (Eurydice)
Heather Buck (La Princesse)
Jeffrey Lentz (Heuterbise)
Christopher Temporelli (Judge)
Matthew Burns (Poet)
Martha Wryk (Aglaonice)
Jonathan Blalock (Cégeste)
Oliver Neal Medina (Le Commissaire)
Drew Duncan (Reporter)
Patrick O’Halloran (Glazier)
Michael O’Halloran (Policeman)
Sam Helfrich, stage director
in French, English captions
$25-$114
(866) 673-7282
http://www.vaopera.org/

Jan. 28 (2 p.m.)
Coolidge Auditorium, Library of Congress, First Street at Independence Avenue S.E., Washington
Paolo Pandolfo, viola da gamba
works by J.S. Bach, Carl Friedrich Abe
free; tickets required
(703) 573-7328 (Ticketmaster)
http://www.loc.gov/rr/perform/concert/1112-schedule.html

Jan. 29 (3 p.m.)
Blackwell Auditorium, Randolph-Macon College, 205 Henry St., Ashland
Richmond Symphony
Steven Smith conducting
John Adams: Chamber Symphony
Barber: “Capricorn” Concerto
Mary Boodell, flute
Shawn Welk, oboe
Rolla Durham, trumpet
Rameau: ballet suite TBA
Mozart: Symphony No. 35 in D major, K. 385 (“Haffner”)
$20
(804) 788-1212
http://www.richmondsymphony.com/

Jan. 29 (4 p.m.)
Vlahcevic Concert Hall, Singleton Arts Center, Virginia Commonwealth University, Park Avenue at Harrison Street, Richmond
VCU Guitar Series:
Richmond Guitar Quartet
program TBA
$15
(804) 828-6776
http://www.vcu.edu/arts/music/dept/events/index.html

Jan. 29 (7:30 p.m.)
Vlahcevic Concert Hall, Singleton Arts Center, Virginia Commonwealth University, Park Avenue at Harrison Street, Richmond
Ruta Smedina-Starke, piano
program TBA
$5
(804) 828-6776
http://www.vcu.edu/arts/music/dept/events/index.html

Jan. 29 (3:30 p.m.)
Old Cabell Hall, University of Virginia, Charlottesville
UVa Chamber Music Festival:
Nathan Dishman, trombone
Susan Fritts, French horn
program TBA
$20
(434) 924-3376
http://artsandsciences.virginia.edu/music/concertsevents/index.html

Jan. 29 (7 p.m.)
Center for the Arts, George Mason University, Fairfax
Jeffrey Siegel, piano
“Keyboard Conversations: Russian Rapture: Rachmaninoff and Tchaikovsky”
$19-$38
(888) 945-2468 (Tickets.com)
http://cfa.gmu.edu/calendar/month/2012/1/

Jan. 30 (7:30 p.m.)
Camp Concert Hall, Modlin Arts Center, University of Richmond
Lisa Terry, viola da gamba
Joanne Kong, harpsichord
J.S. Bach: three gamba sonatas
free
(804) 289-8980
http://www.modlin.richmond.edu/

Virginia Opera meets challenge

Virginia Opera has raised nearly $600,000 to match and surpass the goal of a $500,000 challenge grant made by an anonymous donor last January, adding more than $1 million to the company’s revenue.

The additional funds will be used for some 300 education and outreach programs statewide, as well as supporting the company’s four mainstage productions in 2012 and its Emerging Artists troupe.

Nearly 600 individual, corporate and foundation donors contributed to meet the challenge grant, said Russell P. Allen, Virginia Opera’s CEO and president.

Review: Stile Antico

Dec. 14, University of Richmond

When Oscar Wilde wrote that life imitates art, he coined a clever aphorism but demonstrated his ignorance of English history – specifically, religious history under the Tudor monarchs. Listening to the British vocal ensemble Stile Antico perform liturgical music of Thomas Tallis, William Byrd and their contemporaries, one could easily forget that Christianity in 16th-century Britain was a death struggle between Catholics and Protestants, accompanied by epithets, burnings, beheadings and general mayhem.

Stile Antico’s Advent-Christmas program, “Puer natus est” (“A son is born”), centered on Tallis’ unfinished Mass for seven parts by that name; sections of the Mass were interspersed with Byrd’s four propers for the fourth Sunday of Advent.

This was audience-friendly, if not quite fair to Tallis. His Mass, introduced in 1554, was written in the
plainchant-rooted “old” style, circumscribed in both pacing (adagio to andante and back) and expressive range (reverential and awed). An uninterrupted performance of the piece would have been sublime, but also might have sent listeners into a blissful stupor.

Byrd’s works, later in vintage and more musically concentrated and adventurous, added needed animation and variety. Robert White’s Magnificat and John Sheppard’s “Verbum caro,” which ended the two halves of the program, added still more harmonic adventure and playful joyousness to the proceedings.

Stile Antico sings in a style that is historically informed, yet not angelically denatured, as so many early music vocal groups tend to sound. This group’s 13 voices blend beautifully, but retain their individual characters – especially the bass voices, with their hint of grit – and audibly feed off one another’s energy and expressiveness.

In this performance, the singers, singly and collectively, pushed the expressive limits of the Tallis Mass, treated Byrd’s vocal weavings with spontaneity, and positively reveled in the intricacies and surprising eccentricities of the White and Sheppard works.

Review: Richmond Symphony

Erin R. Freeman conducting
Dec. 10, Richmond CenterStage

No two performances of any piece of music are exactly the same, but some works are more changeable than others. Handel’s “Messiah” is a prime example: Tempos, accents, ornamentation of melody lines, even solo voice registers, are all subject to change – and have been ever since Handel’s day.

This year’s Richmond Symphony “Messiah,” led by Erin R. Freeman, the orchestra’s associate conductor and director of the Richmond Symphony Chorus, was more upbeat than many past performances. Freeman opted for brisk, dance-like tempos in many of the work’s most familiar airs and choruses, notably “Hallelujah” and “O thou that tellest good tidings to Zion.”

The Symphony Chorus responded with alert, finely articulated singing that didn’t stint on the work’s big choral exclamations but often sounded more intimate and expressively nuanced than this large ensemble generally does.

The solo quartet – soprano Michelle Areyzaga, countertenor José Lemos, tenor William Ferguson and bass-baritone Matthew Burns – varied in tonal and expressive character. Lemos was audibly more conversant in baroque ornamentation and expressive affectus than his colleagues, and that expertise yielded dividends in several alto numbers, notably “He was despised.”

Most of the solo numbers in this performance, however, were melodically straightforward and conversational or contemplative. Ferguson’s interaction with the chorus in the sequence beginning with “All they that see him laugh him to scorn” added a nice touch of theatricality.

The orchestra’s chamber-scale forces, the strings playing with historically informed low vibrato, maintained good balance with soloists and chorus, at least from my vantage. (I sat in a center-orchestra seat, not my usual perch in the balcony.)

Trumpeter Rolla Durham played “The trumpet shall sound” with his accustomed brilliance, and concertmaster Diana Cohen and principal second violinist Ellen Cockerham made fine work of their cameo duet in the “Amen” chorus.

December calendar

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 season’s spirit . . . It’s all good.


Dec. 1 (7 p.m.)
Dec. 2 (8 p.m.)
Dec. 3 (8 p.m.)
Kennedy Center Concert Hall, Washington
National Symphony Orchestra
Christoph Eschenbach conducting
Golijov: commissioned work TBA
Britten: Violin Concerto
Midori, violin
Shostakovich: Symphony No. 1
$20-$85
(800) 444-1324
http://www.kennedy-center.org/

Dec. 2 (8 p.m.)
Black Music Center (old church), Virginia Commonwealth University, Grove Avenue at Harrison Street, Richmond
Choral Arts Society
VCU Women’s Choir
Vocal Chamber Ensemble
“Choral Showcase”
Britten: “A Ceremony of Carols”
other works TBA
free
(804) 828-6776
http://www.vcu.edu/arts/music/dept/events/index.html

Dec. 2 (8 p.m.)
Old Cabell Hall, University of Virginia, Charlottesville
Dec. 10 (8 p.m.)
First Presbyterian Church, 523 Park St., Charlottesville
Virginia Glee Club
Frank Albinder directing
Virginia Gentlemen
Christmas program TBA
$15
(434) 924-3376
http://artsandsciences.virginia.edu/music/concertsevents/index.html

Dec. 2 (8 p.m.)
Dec. 3 (8 p.m.)
Dec. 4 (1:30 p.m.)
University of Virginia Chapel, Charlottesville
The Virginia Women’s Chorus
Katherine Mitchell directing
“Candlelight Concert,” program TBA
$15
(434) 924-3376
http://artsandsciences.virginia.edu/music/concertsevents/index.html

Dec. 2 (8 p.m.)
Dec. 4 (2 p.m.)
Center for the Arts, George Mason University, Fairfax
Virginia Opera
Gerald Steichen conducting
Humperdinck: “Hansel and Gretel”
Karin Mushegain (Hansel)
Julia Ebner (Gretel)
Margaret Gawrysiak (Witch/Gertrude)
Eric Greene (Peter)
Jason Abrams (Sandman)
Elizabeth Baldwin (Dew Fairy)
Kevin Newbury, stage director
in English and German, English captions
$44-$98
(888) 945-2468 (Tickets.com)
http://www.vaopera.org/

Dec. 3 (8 p.m.)
Dec. 4 (3 p.m.)
Carpenter Theatre, Richmond CenterStage, Sixth and Grace streets
Richmond Symphony Pops
Erin R. Freeman conducting
Richmond Symphony Chorus
One Voice Chorus
“Let It Snow!” holiday program
works by Handel, Berlioz, Humperdinck, Rachmaninoff, Leroy Anderson, others
$12-$76
(800) 514-3849 (ETIX)
http://www.richmondsymphony.com/

Dec. 3 (4 and 7 p.m.)
First Presbyterian Church, 523 Park St., Charlottesville
The Virginia Consort
Youth Chorale
Christmas program TBA
$25
(434) 244-8444
http://www.virginiaconsort.org/

Dec. 3 (8 p.m.)
Dec. 4 (3:30 p.m.)
Old Cabell Hall, University of Virginia, Charlottesville
Charlottesville & University Symphony Orchestra
U.Va. University Singers
Michael Slon conducting
Martha Eason, soprano
“Family Holiday Concert”
carols and works by Tchaikovsky, Leroy Anderson, others
$10-$38
(434) 924-3376
http://artsandsciences.virginia.edu/music/concertsevents/index.html

Dec. 3 (2 p.m.)
Terrace Theater, Kennedy Center, Washington
Kathryn Stott, piano
Ravel: Sonatine
Debussy: Nocturne in D-flat major
Franck: Prelude, Chorale and Fugue
Ginastera: Sonata No. 1, Op. 22
Villa-Lobos: “Valsa da Dor”
Fitkin: “Relent” (1998)
Fauré: Nocturnes Nos. 4, 6
$40
(202) 785-9727 (Washington Performing Arts Society)
http://www.wpas.org/

Dec. 4 (4 p.m.)
St. Mark’s Episcopal Church, 520 N. Boulevard, Richmond
Richmond Choral Society
Markus J. Compton directing
“Christmas with the Richmond Choral Society,” program TBA
$12-$30
(804) 353-9582
http://www.richmondchoralsociety.org/

Dec. 4 (5 and 8 p.m.)
Cannon Memorial Chapel, University of Richmond
UR Schola Cantorum & Women’s Chorale
Jeffrey Riehl & David Pedersen directing
“Christmas Candlelight Services,” festival of lessons and carols
free
(804) 289-8980
http://www.modlin.richmond.edu/

Dec. 4 (3 p.m.)
Jefferson Center, 541 Luck Ave. SW, Roanoke
Roanoke Symphony
David Stewart Wiley conducting
Handel: “Messiah”
Adelaide Muir-Trombetta, soprano
Tara Bouknight, alto
John Hugo, tenor
Wayne Kompelien, bass
Roanoke Symphony Chorus
$21-$41
(540) 343-9127
http://www.rso.com/

Dec. 5 (7 p.m.)
Atrium of The James Center, 1051 E. Cary St., Richmond
Richmond Philharmonic
Robert Mirakian conducting
light classics and carols TBA, sing-along
donation requested
(804) 673-7400
http://www.richmondphilharmonic.org/

Dec. 6 (7:30 p.m.)
St. Stephen’s Episcopal Church, Grove Avenue at Three Chopt Road, Richmond
choirs of St. Christopher’s School
Service of Lessons and Carols
free
(804) 288-2867
http://www.stchristophers.com/

Dec. 6 (8 p.m.)
Old Cabell Hall, University of Virginia, Charlottesville
Handel: “Messiah” sing-along
Donald Loach directing
$8
(434) 924-3376
http://artsandsciences.virginia.edu/music/concertsevents/index.html

Dec. 6 (7:30 p.m.)
Terrace Theater, Kennedy Center, Washington
Narek Arutyunian, clarinet
Steven Beck, piano
program TBA
$24
(800) 444-1324
http://www.kennedy-center.org/

Dec. 7 (8 p.m.)
Dec. 8 (8 p.m.)
Phi Beta Kappa Hall, College of William and Mary, Williamsburg
Dec. 9 (8 p.m.)
Regent University Theater, Virginia Beach
Dec. 10 (8 p.m.)
Chrysler Hall, 201 Brambleton Ave., Norfolk
Dec. 11 (2:30 p.m.)
Ferguson Arts Center, Christopher Newport University, Newport News
Virginia Symphony
Robert Franz conducting
Handel: “Messiah”
Máire O’Brien, soprano
Elise DesChampes, mezzo-soprano
Brian Stucki, tenor
Brian Banion, bass-baritone
Virginia Symphony Chorus
$20-$85
(757) 892-6366
http://www.virginiasymphony.org/

Dec. 7 (7:30 p.m.)
Terrace Theater, Kennedy Center, Washington
Augustin Hadelich, violin
Rohan de Silva, piano
Beethoven: Violin Sonata No. 6 in A major, Op. 30, No. 1
Poulenc: Violin Sonata
Zimmermann: Sonata for Solo Violin (1951)
Brahms: Sonata for violin and piano No. 1 in G major, Op. 78
Sarasate: “Zigeunerweisen”
$32
(800) 444-1324
http://www.kennedy-center.org/

Dec. 8 (7 p.m.)
Dec. 9 (8 p.m.)
Dec. 10 (8 p.m.)
Dec. 11 (7 p.m.)
Kennedy Center Concert Hall, Washington
National Symphony Orchestra Pops
Steven Reineke conducting
The Canadian Tenors
Children’s Chorus of Washington
“The Greatest Gift,” program TBA
$20-$85
(800) 444-1324
http://www.kennedy-center.org/

Dec. 9 (7 p.m.)
Dec. 11 (3 p.m.)
Virginia Center Commons, 10101 Brook Road (U.S. 1), Glen Allen
Central Virginia Wind Symphony
Mike Goldberg directing
Ellen Broen, vocalist (Dec. 9)
Kat Simons, host (Dec. 9)
Audra Honaker, vocalist (Dec. 11)
Mikki Spencer, host (Dec. 11)
“Holiday Spectacular”
Anderson: “A Christmas Festival”
Carter: Overture for winds
Sousa: “The Fairest of the Fair”
Bocook (arr.): Selections from “Wicked”
Ricketts (arr.): Selections from “Grease”
Lavender (arr.): “John Williams In Concert”
Anderson: “Bugler’s Holiday”
Swearingen: “Christmas Favorites”
Ployhar: “Christmas Sing-Along”
Anderson: “Sleigh Ride”
free
(804) 342-8797
http://www.thewindsymphony.com/

Dec. 9 (7:30 p.m.)
Vlahcevic Concert Hall, Singleton Arts Center, Virginia Commonwealth University, Park Avenue at Harrison Street, Richmond
VCU faculty and student performers
“VCU Music Holiday Gala,” program TBA
proceeds benefit VCU Hospitality House
$10
(804) 828-6776
http://www.vcu.edu/arts/music/dept/events/index.html

Dec. 9 (8 p.m.)
Salem Civic Center, Roanoke Boulevard at U.S. 460 (alt.), Salem
Roanoke Symphony
David Stewart Wiley conducting
Adelaide Muir Trombetta, soprano
Hollins University Choir
Roanoke College Children’s Choir
“Holiday Pops Spectacular,” program TBA
$19-$33
(540) 343-9127
http://www.rso.com/

Dec. 9 (7:30 p.m.)
Terrace Theater, Kennedy Center, Washington
Eric Owens, bass-baritone
Craig Rutenberg, piano
works by Wolf, Schumann, Schubert, Debussy, Duparc, Ravel, Wagner
$45
(800) 444-1324
http://www.kennedy-center.org/

Dec. 10 (7 p.m.)
Carpenter Theatre, Richmond CenterStage, Sixth and Grace streets
Richmond Symphony
Erin R. Freeman conducting
Handel: “Messiah”
Michelle Areyzaga, soprano
José Lemos, countertenor
William Ferguson, tenor
Matthew Burns, baritone
Richmond Symphony Chorus
$12-$45
(800) 514-3849 (ETIX)
http://www.richmondsymphony.com/

Dec. 11 (2:30 p.m.)
1 Welwyn Place, Richmond
Atlantic Chamber Ensemble
“House Specials: a Musical Meal of Your Choice”
works by Mozart, Rossini, Chopin, Piazzolla, others
reception follows
$10-$40 (limited seating, reservations suggested)
benefit for Neighborhood Resource Center of Greater Fulton
proceeds partially benefit scholarship fund for Williams Syndrome Association’s Music Camps for young people
(917) 414-3112
http://www.acensemble.org/

Dec. 11 (4 p.m.)
Bon Air Presbyterian Church, 9201 W. Huguenot Road, Richmond
Second Sunday South of the James:
Handel: “Messiah” sing-along
Anne Carr Regan conducting
Karen Floyd Savage, soprano
Heather Jones, mezzo-soprano
Andrew Seigle, tenor
James Lynn, bass
Kim Peachy, harpsichord
Stephen Henley, organ
donation requested
rehearsal at 1 p.m. Dec. 10
(804) 272-7514

Dec. 11 (4 p.m.)
Lewis Ginter Botanical Garden, Lakeside Avenue at Dumbarton Road, Richmond
Greater Richmond Children’s Choir
Hope Armstrong Erb directing
“Festival of Holidays,” program TBA
$7-$11
(804) 201-1894
http://www.grcchoir.org/

Dec. 11 (4 p.m.)
Rockfish Presbyterian Church, 5016 Rockfish Valley Highway, Nellysford
Virginia Consort
“A Blue Ridge Christmas,” program TBA
$30
(434) 325-8292
http://www.virginiaconsort.org/

Dec. 14 (7:30 p.m.)
Camp Concert Hall, Modlin Arts Center, University of Richmond
Stile Antico
“Puer natus est,” English Tudor vocal music for Christmas and Advent
$38
(804) 289-8980
http://www.modlin.richmond.edu/

Dec. 15 (7 p.m.)
Dec. 16 (8 p.m.)
Dec. 17 (8 p.m.)
Dec. 19 (1 p.m.)
Kennedy Center Concert Hall, Washington
National Symphony Orchestra
Matthew Halls conducting
Handel: “Messiah”
Kiera Duffy, soprano
Matthew Shaw, countertenor
James Gilchrist, tenor
Neal Davies, bass-baritone
University of Maryland Concert Choir
$20-$85
(800) 444-1324
http://www.kennedy-center.org/

Dec. 16 (8 p.m.)
Sandler Arts Center, 201 S. Market St., Virginia Beach
Dec. 17 (8 p.m.)
Chrysler Hall, 201 Brambleton Ave., Norfolk
Virginia Symphony Pops
Robert Shoup conducting
Virginia Symphony Chorus
Virginia Children’s Chorus
“Holiday Pops,” program TBA
$22-$85
(757) 892-6366
http://www.virginiasymphony.org/

Dec. 17 (3 and 8 p.m.)
Paramount Theater, 215 E. Main St., Charlottesville
Oratorio Society of Virginia
Michael Slon directing
brass ensemble
John Rutter: Gloria
Poulenc: “O Magnum Mysterium”
other Christmas music TBA
$17-$57
(434) 979-1333
http://www.theparamount.net/

Dec. 17 (4 p.m.)
Dec. 18 (7 p.m.)
Dec. 20 (7 p.m.)
Dec. 22 (7 p.m.)
Kennedy Center Concert Hall, Washington
The Washington Chorus
Julian Wachner directing
Carl Tanner, tenor
“A Candlelight Christmas,” program TBA
$15-$65
(800) 444-1324
http://www.kennedy-center.org/

Dec. 17 (8 p.m.)
Coolidge Auditorium, Library of Congress, First Street at Independence Avenue S.E., Washington
Borromeo String Quartet
Seymour Lipkin, piano
Schuller: String Quartet No. 4
Beethoven: Violin Sonata No. 7 in C minor, Op. 30
Schubert: String Quartet in D minor, D. 810 (“Death and the Maiden”)
Free; tickets required
(703) 573-7328 (Ticketmaster)
http://www.loc.gov/rr/perform/concert/1112-schedule.html

Dec. 19 (7 p.m.)
Dec. 21 (7 p.m.)
Dec. 24 (1 p.m.)
Kennedy Center Concert Hall, Washington
Choral Arts Society of Washington
Norman Scribner directing
Ural Philharmonic
Enkhbaatar Baatarzhyvan conducting
Irina Shishkova, mezzo-soprano
The Choral Arts Chorus
“Holiday Treasures from Russia,” program TBA
$15-$65
(800) 444-1324
http://www.kennedy-center.org/

Dec. 23 (8 p.m.)
Kennedy Center Concert Hall, Washington
Washington National Opera Orchestra
Barry Hemphill conducting
Handel: “Messiah” sing-along
free tickets distributed at 6 p.m. in Hall of Nations
(800) 444-1324
http://www.kennedy-center.org/

Dec. 31 (8:30 p.m.)
Kennedy Center Concert Hall, Washington
National Symphony Orchestra members
Murry Sidlin conducting
Salon Orchestra of Washington
“New Year’s Eve at the Kennedy Center,” program TBA
dancing in Grand Foyer at 11 p.m.
$50-$95
(800) 444-1324
http://www.kennedy-center.org/