Alexandria Symphony Presents 80th Season Opener: ASO at 80-oh!
Posted Sep 14, 2023 | ASO News, Events, Press Releases,
Alexandria, VA—The Alexandria Symphony Orchestra presents its 80th Anniversary Season opener “ASO at 80-oh!” on Saturday, September 30 and Sunday, October 1, 2023. ASO Music Director James Ross leads performances of two beloved masterworks: Tchaikovsky’s Fourth Symphony and Brahms’ lyrical Violin Concerto.
“The ASO launches its 80th season with a program full of hoopla, whimsy, poise, and pathos,” says Maestro Ross. “Back-to-back toasts start things off, the first by ASO Artistic Advisor Dr. Lester Green, whose musical Toast takes a playful look at an ‘aging’ orchestra, followed by Quinn Mason’s catchy 21st-century overture Toast of the Town. Brahms in the hands of Elissa Lee Koljonen will shine, and the quasi-confessional nature of Tchaikovsky’s Fourth Symphony follows its journey through challenge to celebration.”
Hailed for her sensual and deeply personal style, Koljonen has performed with many of the world’s greatest orchestras including Philadelphia, Minnesota, Baltimore, Pittsburgh, Helsinki, Seoul and the Royal Philharmonic. She appears by arrangement with the Curtis Institute of Music.
The 2023-2024 Season is generously underwritten by the Virginia Commission for the Arts, the National Endowment for the Arts, the Alexandria Commission for the Arts, and the Rea Charitable Trust. Lester Green’s Toast has been commissioned and sponsored by Classical Movements as part of the ASO at 80 Project. These opening concerts are sponsored by Fran and Gant Redmon.
Saturday’s performance will be held at the Rachel M. Schlesinger Concert Hall and Arts Center at 7:30 p.m. Sunday’s matinee will be held at the George Washington Masonic Memorial at 3:00 p.m. Parking is free at both venues. Subscriptions and single tickets are on sale. Subscription packages start at $86 for five concerts; adult prices for single tickets start at $20 with $5 for youth (18 and under) and $15 for students. Military, senior and group discounts are also available.
