Three months have passed since the Williamsburg Symphonia became the Williamsburg Symphony Orchestra.
But excitement surrounding the name change persists, and will likely continue through the orchestra’s recently announced 2016-2017 season.
“We’re really excited about the fact that everyone’s been so positive about our name change and excited for what the future holds,” said executive director Carolyn Keurajian.
The upcoming season, music director Janna Hymes’ 13th season, includes appearances from three rising artists in the classical music scene.
Soprano Julia Bullock joins the orchestra for its opening Masterworks concert in October, performing works by Villa-Lobos, Poulenc, Weill and Gershwin.
Bullock’s upcoming performances include appearances with the Baltimore Symphony Orchestra, Sydney Symphony Orchestra, LA Philharmonic and the Chamber Music Society of Lincoln Center, among others.
“We’re very excited to get Julia Bullock,” Keurajian said. “She is probably one of the top rising artists in the country right now.”
Pianist Alessio Bax has performed with more than 100 orchestras around the world, and he’ll add Williamsburg Symphony Orchestra in March. The program includes Bax’s performance of Beethoven’s Piano Concerto no. 5 in E-flat major.
Keurajian said this season’s performances will each include 45 to 50 musicians, including Masterworks concerts in November and April.
The season finale in May, however, will feature an orchestra of between 50 to 60 musicians, as well as guest violinist Elena Urioste. Unlike the rest of the season’s performances, at Kimball Theatre, this “Fireworks Finale” will occur within the College of William and Mary’s Phi Beta Kappa Memorial Hall.
Recently selected as a BBC New Generation Artist, Urioste makes her Kennedy Center debut the month before joining the Williamsburg Symphony Orchestra. The program includes Korngold’s Violin Concerto in D major.
One change to expect this season is a deviation from the Monday and Tuesday night performances of past seasons. Concerts will still occur on two consecutive weeknights, but apart from the season finale which is a weekend performance, weeknight performances will vary.
Although this change was decided purely by Kimball Theatre and guest artist scheduling, Keurajian said she’s excited for the change. She believes concerts occurring on different weeknights opens the performances up to new people.
Bridges can be reached by phone at 757-345-2342.
To purchase a season subscription, call 229-9857. For more information, visit williamsburgsymphony.org.
