Following the release of its upcoming Classics season, the Virginia Symphony Orchestra has announced its 2016-2017 Pops season, including tributes to The Beatles, Elton John, Ella Fitzgerald and Louis Armstrong.
The season kicks off Sept. 17 with “Cirque Musica,” a combination of music and acrobatics. Benjamin Rous conducts as the symphony is joined by world-class circus performers.
On Sept. 29 and Oct. 1, the symphony celebrates two jazz icons in “Ella Fitzgerald & Louis Armstrong: A Musical Tribute.” With guests, vocalist Marva Hicks and trumpeter Byron Stripling, the symphony will present standards by Armstrong and Fitzgerald, a native of Newport News.
Led by Benjamin Rous, the symphony will pay tribute to another icon in “The Music of Elton John” on Nov. 4 and 5.
From Dec. 9-11, JoAnn Falletta will conduct the annual Holiday POPS! concert, featuring an appearance from the Virginia Symphony Orchestra Chorus.
Finally, the “Classical Mystery Tour” returns to Hampton Roads Feb. 2 and 3, backed by Benjamin Rous and the Virginia Symphony Orchestra. The four musicians of the “Classical Mystery Tour” not only look like The Beatles, they present an authentic Beatles sound, performing songs like “Penny Lane” and “Yesterday” exactly as written.
Season tickets are available in packages from $88 to $433. Tickets for individual concerts will be released in July.
For more information, visit virginiasymphony.org/subscriptions or call 757-892-6366.
“Cirque Musica” – 8 p.m., Sept. 17, Chrysler Hall, Norfolk
“Ella Fitzgerald & Louis Armstrong: A Musical Tribute” – 8 p.m., Sept. 29, Ferguson Center for the Arts, Newport News; 8 p.m., Oct. 1, Chrysler hall, Norfolk
“The Music of Elton John” – 8 p.m., Nov. 4, Ferguson Center for the Arts, Newport News; 8 p.m., Nov. 5, Chrysler Hall, Norfolk
“Holiday POPS!” – 8 p.m., Dec. 9, Ferguson Center for the Arts, Newport News; 8 p.m., Dec. 10, Chrysler Hall, Norfolk; 7 p.m., Dec. 11, Sandler Center for the Performing Arts, Va. Beach
“Classical Mystery Tour” – 8 p.m., Feb. 2, Ferguson Center for the Arts, Newport News; 8 p.m., Feb. 3, Chrysler Hall, Norfolk
