It’s almost Fall and time to celebrate the rich artistic life we enjoy right here in the Nation’s Capital. As a D.C. native, I feel very proud of our flourishing arts scene. I hear from so many wonderful, dedicated artistic organizations who are planning delightful seasons of music, art and theater. I can’t possibly list all the talented groups and events that grace our fair city, and I apologize if I’ve left out your most treasured ensemble or venue. The best I can do is point out a few choices from a world-class musical menu. I urge you to check out your favorites and try new tastes as well.
Speaking of menus, Chiarina Chamber Players opens their season at St. Mark’s Capitol Hill with a program called “If Music Be the Food,” serving up The Best Cuisine by Carlos Simon and two of Three Restaurant Pieces by Mary Howe.
Washington Bach Consort offers the 37th season of their free lunchtime Cantata series at St. Marks and the Church of the Epiphany, while their regular concert season explores the music of their namesake plus works from Mozart to Orlando Gibbons.
This year I’m going to make sure I visit the Library of Congress, which continues to celebrate its 100th musical season, promising a “kaleidoscopic array of concerts and conversations” --all free of charge.
Chamber music thrives with the Fortas Chamber Music Concerts at the Kennedy Center opening in November with a program exploring migration and immigration narratives in the US. The Dover, Takács Quartets are also on the roster this season.
Dumbarton Oaks, The Smithsonian Chamber Music Society, the Philips Collection, the Kreeger, the Barns at Wolf Trap, all explore different realms of chamber music.
In the orchestral world, the National Symphony Orchestra celebrates its 95th season and Maestro Gianandrea Noseda’s 9th as music director. You’ll find exciting programming at The New Orchestra of Washington, and the PostClassical Ensemble opens their season with The Pale Blue Dot: A Musical Voyage Inspired by Nature, a theme shared by one of the National Philharmonic concerts at the Music Center at Strathmore titled “The Blue Hour.” Strathmore is also home to the Baltimore Symphony Orchestra.
Over at George Mason University Center for the Arts, the celebrated Academy of St. Martin in the Fields Chamber Ensemble arrives in October and the Fairfax Symphony Orchestra features a multimedia event: “Rick Steves’ Europe: A Symphonic Journey.”
Washington has been nicknamed the Choral Capital, and you can participate in or enjoy performances by a huge number of varied ensembles. The Thirteen, Choralis, the Choral Arts Society of Washington, the Cathedral Choral Society, Washington Chorus, City Choir of Washington, Encore Creativity, the University of Maryland Concert Choir, are just a few.
Washington Performing Arts declares that “The City is our Stage!” and hosts events from “A Choral Tribute to Dr. Martin Luther King” to the Chicago Symphony Orchestra, to concerts by Yo Yo Ma and Midori.
Opera is alive and well, with Washington National Opera presenting a season ranging from Aida to Treemonisha. Washington Concert Opera’s offerings include Iphigenie en Tauride and Idomeneo. Discover lost masterpieces and old favorites with Opera Lafayette including Purcell's Dido and Aeneas, and don’t miss the always inventive InSeries opera, as well as Washington Opera Society.
Vocal Arts DC celebrates its 35th anniversary, opening with a recital by Erin Morley, Lawrence Brownlee and pianist Gerald Martin Moore.
And let’s not forget our great community ensembles...there are too many to list...the Capital City Symphony, the Arlington, Alexandria, Loudon, Reston, NOVA, Montgomery, Prince Georges, Annapolis, NIH, symphonies, all with innovative programming, and all deserving support.
In an article titled “What science considers a path to a good life,” The Washington Post urges us to seek creative adventure, novel experiences, new insights, and perspective shifting.” Great advice, and if you’re looking for an exciting concert calendar this season, D.C. delivers.
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