The latest news on performances of Classical Music in Washington, DC.
Review: TURANDOT performed by Washington National Opera at Kennedy Center
by David Friscic - May 14, 2024
Incredibly rich in detail --from staging to technical aspects-- and emboldened with Puccini’s soaring music and meticulous, intelligent direction by Francesca Zambello, Washington National Opera’s production of Turandot is a production for the ages. ...
Review: PAN AMERICAN SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA'S TODO TANGO at Kennedy Center
by Hannah R. Wing - April 22, 2024
On Saturday, April 20, 2024, PASO brought their program, Todo Tango, an intimate and fiery evening of tango to the Kennedy Center. ...
Interview: Theatre Life with Katherine Goforth
by Elliot Lanes - April 19, 2024
Today’s subject Katherine Goforth is someone who can definitely be called a breakthrough artist to be sure. She is the inaugural recipient of Washington National Opera’s True Voice Award for transgender and non-binary singers. She will be making her Kennedy Center debut on May first at 6:00pm wi...
Video: Director Mary Zimmerman on THE MATCHBOX MAGIC FLUTE at Shakespeare Theatre Company
by Joshua Wright - April 12, 2024
Shakespeare Theatre Company's final show this season is Mary Zimmerman's The Matchbox Magic Flute. Watch as adapter and director Mary Zimmerman describes what makes The Matchbox Magic Flute a unique operatic experience. ...
Kathy Judd to Step Down as Executive and Artistic Director at Washington Conservatory of Music
by Chloe Rabinowitz - April 02, 2024
Kathy Judd is stepping down as Executive and Artistic Director at Washington Conservatory of Music after 25 years....
World Premiere, DC Premieres & More Set for National Symphony Orchestra 2024-25 Season
by Chloe Rabinowitz - March 14, 2024
The National Symphony Orchestra has unveiled its 2024–2025 season. See full programming and learn how to purchase tickets....
Review: SONGBIRD at Kennedy Center
by Roger Catlin - March 12, 2024
There’s an awful lot of death in opera, Timothy O’Leary, the general director of Washington National Opera, lamented on a recent opening night. And those plentiful tragedies are also often further burdened with overbearing scores, turgid storylines, super-large casts and strident if not shrill p...
Inaugural Sejong HERE & NOW FESTIVAL to Take Place at Carnegie's Zankel Hall
by Chloe Rabinowitz - March 12, 2024
Sejong Soloists will present the first biennial Sejong Here & Now Festival at Carnegie Hall. See more details and learn how to purchase tickets....
Video: First Look at Ramin Karimloo & Isabel Leonard in Washington National Opera's SONGBIRD
by Joshua Wright - March 11, 2024
Check out the new video of Ramin Karimloo's operatic debut in Washington National Opera's Songbird opposite Isabel Leonard, one of America’s leading mezzo-sopranos....
The National Chamber Ensemble to Present Music of Price and Brahms This Month
by Blair Ingenthron - March 03, 2024
The National Chamber Ensemble will present Diverse Romantic Visions: Florence Price and Brahms, Saturday, March 23, 2024, at Gunston Arts Center, Theatre 1. Learn more about the concert here!...
Review: Audra McDonald in Concert with The National Symphony Orchestra at Kennedy Center Concert Hall
by Mary Lincer - January 31, 2024
Audra McDonald has (at least) four voices--Broadway, jazz, opera, blues--not to mention six Tonys. She brought them all (the voices, not the awards) to her two hour concert with the National Symphony Pops which repeats Wednesday evening, January 31. ...
Anthony Kearns to Headline Celebration of Songwriter Brendan Graham at The National Concert Hall in Dublin
by Blair Ingenthron - January 20, 2024
Joined by the National Symphony Orchestra, world-renowned tenor Anthony Kearns will sing the tenor role in 'You Raise Me Up - The Songs and Stories of Brendan Graham' at the National Concert Hall in Dublin....
Pianist Brian Ganz To Play Chopin's Most Difficult Works At Strathmore As He Closes In On Being The First To Perform All 250
by A.A. Cristi - January 19, 2024
Sparkling, colossal, and virtuosic—this is how internationally acclaimed pianist Brian Ganz describes the music in his upcoming recital, “Chopin the Virtuoso,” at The Music Center at Strathmore at 7:30 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 24, 2024....
Video: Gianandrea Noseda on the NSO's Europe Tour
by Joshua Wright - January 19, 2024
From February 16–28, 2024, Noseda leads his first international tour with the NSO; the orchestra’s first multi-city European tour since 2016. The NSO will visit some of Europe’s most important concert halls performing for audiences in Spain, Germany, and Italy, joined by soloists pianist Seo...
VIDEO: Washington National Opera Presents The 11th Season Of American Opera Initiative Featuring Three World Premieres
by Joshua Wright - January 16, 2024
Washington National Opera will present the 11th season of American Opera Initiative (AOI), an acclaimed initiative to commission and present new American operas, on January 19, 2024, at 7:00 p.m. and 9:00 p.m. in the Kennedy Center Terrace Theater. T...
Rhode Island Philharmonic Names Robert Spano As Principal Conductor
by Chloe Rabinowitz - January 04, 2024
The Rhode Island Philharmonic has named Robert Spano as its new Principal Conductor....
Washington Conservatory Of Music To Feature Prize Winners In 2024 Bach Room Concert Series
by A.A. Cristi - January 02, 2024
Washington Conservatory of Music has announced a new partnership with the Friday Morning Music Club Foundation to present string competition winners of the 2022 Washington International Competition....
PostClassical EnseMble Presents AMAZING GRACE: IN PARADISUM
by A.A. Cristi - December 11, 2023
PostClassical Ensemble welcomes 2024 with a celestial ambiance in their annual new year concert, featuring works by George Walker, Gustav Mahler, Margaret Bonds, Luciano Berio, and Jeffrey Mumford. Join the orchestra, chorus, and soloists in singing 'Amazing Grace.'...
Fairfax Symphony Orchestra and Fairfax Ballet to Present Tchaikovsky's THE NUTCRACKER at George Mason University Center for the Arts
by Chloe Rabinowitz - December 01, 2023
Don't miss the beloved holiday tradition of Tchaikovsky's The Nutcracker presented by the Fairfax Symphony Orchestra and Fairfax Ballet at George Mason University Center for the Arts. ...
Review: SIR BRYN TERFEL at Kennedy Center
by Elliot Lanes - November 21, 2023
Sometimes it doesn't take much to make a reviewer happy and have an excellent musical experience. Welsh Bass-Baritone superstar Sir Bryn Terfel with only two instrumentalists proved that in spades. Add to that the bonus of what seemed like NO, that’s right, ZERO amplification this past Sunday in ...
Fazil Say Withdraws From National Symphony Orchestra Program, January 11–13
by A.A. Cristi - November 15, 2023
Fazil Say has withdrawn from the National Symphony Orchestra Program scheduled for January 11-13, 2024. Music Director Gianandrea Noseda will conduct a new program featuring Wagner's 'The Ring without Words.'...
Washington Master Chorale Presents SWEET WAS THE SONG
by A.A. Cristi - November 14, 2023
On December 10th at 3pm Washington Master Chorale (WMC) will present Sweet was the Song at St. Ann's Catholic Church (4001 Yuma St., NW). This concert will mark WMC's annual celebration of the holiday season with both traditional American Christmas carols and rarely heard old English numbers. ...
Interview: Theatre Life with Sir Bryn Terfel
by Elliot Lanes - November 13, 2023
Today’s subject Sir Bryn Terfel is a Grammy, Classical Brit, and Gramophone Award–winning recording artist with a discography encompassing operas of Mozart, Wagner, and Strauss, and more than 15 solo discs including Lieder, American musical theatre, Welsh songs, and sacred repertory. He is, righ...
National Symphony Orchestra To Release Beethoven Symphonies Nos. 2 & 7
by Chloe Rabinowitz - November 13, 2023
The National Symphony Orchestra will release Beethoven Symphonies Nos. 2 & 7. Stream the audio and enjoy the timeless music of Beethoven....
Folger Consort Presents Annual Holiday Concert A BAROQUE CHRISTMAS STORY At St. Mark's Episcopal Church, December 15- 22
by A.A. Cristi - November 09, 2023
Folger's Holiday Concerts in Dec! Enjoy a series of festive concerts at the Folger Shakespeare Library this December. Featuring a lineup of talented musicians and vocalists, these concerts are sure to get you in the holiday spirit. Don't miss out on this special holiday event!...
Christopher O'Riley to Perform Music of Radiohead and J.S. Bach at Kennedy Center on Monday
by Blair Ingenthron - November 05, 2023
Celebrated concert pianist Christopher O'Riley will perform his own arrangements of British band and Grammy winner Radiohead followed by Johann Sebastian Bach's iconic Preludes and Fugues, Numbers I though XII, on Monday, Nov. 6 at 7:30 p.m. at the Kennedy Center Terrace Theater. ...
National Symphony Orchestra With Music Director Gianandrea Noseda To Release Beethoven Symphonies Nos. 6 & 8
by A.A. Cristi - October 02, 2023
The National Symphony Orchestra (NSO) and Music Director Gianandrea Noseda will release Beethoven Symphonies Nos. 6 & 8 on October 20, 2023 and will be available for pre-order on October 6, the third installment of a complete cycle of Beethoven symphonies on the National Symphony Orchestra label. ...
Pianist Chris O'Riley to Perform Radiohead & Bach at the Kennedy Center in November
by Blair Ingenthron - September 29, 2023
Pianist Chris O'Riley performs Radiohead & Bach at Kennedy Center, bridging classical and popular music. Get event and ticket information here!...
The National Chamber Ensemble Announces 2023-24 Season
by Blair Ingenthron - September 17, 2023
The National Chamber Ensemble (NCE) has announced the 2023-2024 season, opening Saturday, November 4, 2023, presenting Diva's Night Out with Schubert at Marymount University's Ballston Center. ...
Fortas Chamber Music Concerts Announces 2023–2024 Season Opening Performances
by A.A. Cristi - September 06, 2023
Fortas Chamber Music Concerts, led by Artistic Director Jennifer Koh at the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts, begins the 2023–2024 season with a lineup of three recitals by esteemed artists and a valedictory performance by one of the world's premiere string quart...
Sharon Isbin to Premiere LeFrak's BAILAMOS with National Symphony on Capitol Lawn in September
by Blair Ingenthron - August 27, 2023
Multiple Grammy winner Sharon Isbin will perform the world premiere of Karen LeFrak's Bailamos from her Miami Guitar Concerto with the National Symphony under the direction of Enrico Lopez-Yañez on Sunday Sept 3 at 8pm on the West Lawn of the U.S. Capitol. This free concert will also...
National Symphony Orchestra to Present Free Annual Labor Day Concert
by Blair Ingenthron - August 20, 2023
The National Symphony Orchestra's free annual Labor Day concert will return to the West Lawn of the U.S. Capitol in a performance led by Enrico Lopez-Yañez. The program will feature the World Premiere of Karen LeFrak's “Bailamos” from Miami Concerto for Guitar and Symphony Orchestra with Sharon...
PostClassical Ensemble Announces 20th Anniversary Season
by A.A. Cristi - July 18, 2023
PostClassical Ensemble has announced its 20th anniversary season. This landmark year's lineup will be one that takes audiences on a journey through science, genius and paradise, in another daring yet uniquely accessible season for PCE. This announcement comes on the heels of Music Director and Cond...
Review: WHAT'S GOING ON NOW at Kennedy Center
by Roger Catlin - June 19, 2023
The National Symphony Orchestra’s intent this weekend was to pay tribute to the 50th anniversary of native son Marvin Gaye’s classic “What’s Going On” album, a high water mark for both social commentary and Motown soul. ...
Library of Congress Acquires Music Manuscripts and Papers of Composer John Adams
by Chloe Rabinowitz - June 14, 2023
The Library of Congress has acquired the music manuscripts and papers of contemporary American composer, conductor and writer John Adams....
National Symphony Orchestra Appoints Eric B. Stillman As Chief Development Officer
by A.A. Cristi - May 31, 2023
National Symphony Orchestra Executive Director Jean Davidson and the Kennedy Center have announced Eric B. Stillman as the Chief Development Officer for the NSO. Stillman began on May 1, 2023 and comes to the Kennedy Center from the Jewish Federation and Jewish Foundation of Nashville and Middle Ten...
FIRE SHUT UP IN MY BONES, Yo-Yo Ma & More Set for Washington Performing Arts 2023/24 Season
by Chloe Rabinowitz - May 30, 2023
Washington Performing Arts has announce its 2023/24 Season with the theme of Together in Art and Community, running from September 2023 through June 2024 in nine venues across the Washington, D.C., region....
Review: LA BOHÈME at Kennedy Center
by David Friscic - May 17, 2023
The glorious music of Puccini remains the principal reason to see the Washington National Opera’s (WNO)current production of the beloved classic opera La bohème. This oft-referenced opera that has influenced everything from the famous film Moonstruck to the hit Broadway musical Rent, must be a fa...
Sammi Cannold to Direct World Premiere of RENT in Concert at the Kennedy Center
by Chloe Rabinowitz - May 10, 2023
The National Symphony Orchestra, led by Principal Pops Conductor Steven Reineke, will present the symphonic world premiere of RENT in Concert, directed by Sammi Cannold, July 26–28, 2023....
New Jersey Symphony To Present Free Outdoor Summer Concerts
by A.A. Cristi - May 01, 2023
The New Jersey Symphony presents free outdoor concerts in Newark, Jersey City, Toms River, South Amboy and Red Bank and will also perform at the Giralda Music and Arts Festival in Madison. ...