PRE-CONCERT TALKS

The Charlotte Symphony is committed to delivering exceptional musical experiences. By sharing information and the exciting stories behind the music before each Classical series concert, we hope concertgoers will feel more connected to the in-concert experience.

Resident Conductor Christopher James Lees, or a guest conductor or artist, leads a discussion about the evening's repertoire and composers an hour prior to the performance.

The Founders Room

Belk Theater pre-concert talks take place in the Founders Room (unless otherwise noted below). From the Belk Theater Box Office, continue straight towards the back of the theater and take a right into Founder's Hall. The Founders Room will be on your right. Blumenthal Performing Arts offers for-purchase beverages in the Founders Room prior to each Classical Series pre-concert talk.

Wells Fargo Pre-Function Space

Knight Theater pre-concert talks take place in the Wells Fargo Pre-Function Space (unless otherwise noted below). Once you enter the Knight Theater by the Box Office, take the stairs on your right down one level.

2022-23 Season

ELGAR CELLO CONCERTO

Oct. 7 & 8 | 7:30 pm | Knight Theater

Pre-Concert Talk:
6:30 pm | Wells Fargo Pre-Function Space
with Guest Conductor Andrew Grams

Program:
Andrew Grams, conductor
Inbal Segev, cello

ANNA CLYNE Pivot
ELGAR Cello Concerto in E minor
R. STRAUSS Aus Italien

BEETHOVEN PASTORAL

Oct. 28 & 29 | 7:30 pm | Knight Theater

Pre-Concert Talk:
6:30 pm | Wells Fargo Pre-Function Space
with Guest Conductor Marcelo Lehninger

Program:
Marcelo Lehninger, conductor
Gabriela Martinez, piano

L. BOULANGER d'un matin de printemps
FALLA Nights in the Gardens of Spain
BEETHOVEN Symphony No. 6 "Pastoral"

BEETHOVEN TRIPLE CONCERTO

Nov. 18 & 19 | 7:30 pm | Belk Theater

Pre-Concert Talk:
6:30 pm | Founders Room
with Guest Conductor Erina Yashima

Program:
Erina Yashima, conductor

GLINKA Ruslan & Ludmila Overture
BEETHOVEN Triple Concerto
BERLIOZ Symphonie Fantastique

HANDEL MESSIAH

Dec. 2 & 3 | 7:30 pm | Knight Theater
Dec. 4 | 3 pm | Knight Theater

Pre-Concert Talk:
6:30 pm (Fri. & Sat.) & 2 pm (Sun.)
Wells Fargo Pre-Function Space

Program:
Christopher Warren-Green, conductor
Charlotte Master Chorale

HANDEL Messiah

COPLAND SYMPHONY NO. 3

Jan. 13 & 14 | 7:30 pm | Belk Theater

Pre-Concert Talk:
6:30 pm | Founders Room
with Guest Conductor Kwamé Ryan

Program:
Kwamé Ryan, conductor
Bella Hristova, violin

JOHN ADAMS Short Ride in a Fast Machine
KORNGOLD Violin Concerto in D Major
COPLAND Symphony No. 3

SIBELIUS SYMPHONY NO. 5

Feb. 3 & 4 | 7:30 pm | Knight Theater

Pre-Concert Talk:
6:30 pm | Wells Fargo Pre-Function Space
with Guest Conductor Vinay Parameswaran

Program:
Vinay Parameswaran, conductor

GABRIELLA SMITH Field Guide
BRITTEN Les Illuminations
STILL Poem for Orchestra
SIBELIUS Symphony No. 5

BRAHMS SYMPHONY NO. 4

Feb. 10 & 11 | 7:30 pm | Belk Theater

Pre-Concert Talk:
6:30 pm | Founders Room
with Guest Conductor Joshua Weilerstein

Program:
Joshua Weilerstein, conductor
Joyce Yang, piano

SMYTH On the Cliffs of Cornwall
GRIEG Piano Concerto in A minor
BRAHMS Symphony No. 4

BRUCH VIOLIN CONCERTO

Feb. 24 & 25 | 7:30 pm | Knight Theater

Pre-Concert Talk:
6:30 pm | Wells Fargo Pre-Function Space
with Guest Conductor Mei-Ann Chen

Program:
Mei-Ann Chen, conductor
Calin Ovidiu Lupanu, violin

FANNY MENDELSSOHN Overture in C Major
BRUCH Violin Concerto No. 1 in G minor
FRANCK Symphony in D minor

PICASSO + STRAVINSKY

Mar. 10 & 11 | 7:30 pm | Knight Theater

Pre-Concert Talk:
6:30 pm | Wells Fargo Pre-Function Space
with Guest Conductor Paolo Bortolameolli

Program:
Paolo Bortolameolli, conductor

SATIE Parade
STRAVINSKY Suite from Pulcinella
BEETHOVEN Symphony No. 2

MENDELSSOHN HYMN OF PRAISE

Mar. 24 & 25 | 7:30 pm | Belk Theater

Pre-Concert Talk:
6:30 pm | Founders Room
with Guest conductor Jessica Cottis

Program:
Jessica Cottis, conductor
Charlotte Master Chorale

MENDELSSOHN Symphony No. 2, "Lobgesang"

RACHMANINOFF SYMPHONY NO. 2

April 28 & 29 | 7:30 pm | Belk Theater

Pre-Concert Talk:
6:30 pm | Founders Room
with Guest conductor Lan Shui

Program:
Lan Shui, conductor
Mari Kodama, piano

BARBER The School for Scandal Overture
MENDELSSOHN Piano Concerto No. 1 in G minor
RACHMANINOFF Symphony No. 2

DVOŘÁK SYMPHONY NO. 8

May 19 & 20 | 7:30 pm | Knight Theater

Pre-Concert Talk:
6:30 pm | Wells Fargo Pre-Function Space
with Guest Conductor Kazem Abdullah

Program:
Kazem Abdullah, conductor
Alexi Kenney, violin

MOZART Symphony No. 38, "Prague"
STRAVINSKY Violin Concerto
DVOŘÁK Symphony No. 8