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.
Belk Theater
Belk Theater pre-concert talks take place on the Mezzanine Level of the lobby (unless otherwise noted below).
Knight Theater
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.
Upcoming Talks
Bach & Mozart
Jan. 10 & 11, 2025 | 6:30 PM | Wells Fargo Pre-Function SpaceJan. 12, 2025 | 2 PM | Wells Fargo Pre-Function Space
Join guest conductor Jeri Lynne Johnson and pianist Orion Weiss for a conversation about the upcoming program.
BACH Orchestral Suite No. 3
STRAVINSKY Concerto for Piano and Winds
BACH Harpsichord Concerto No. 6
MOZART Symphony No. 25
Mendelssohn's Double Concerto
Jan. 31 & Feb. 1, 2025 | 6:30 PM | Wells Fargo Pre-Function SpaceJoin guest conductor Akiko Fujimoto, CSO Concertmaster Calin Ovidiu Lupanu, and pianist Phillip Bush for a conversation about the upcoming program.
FARRENC Overture No. 2
MENDELSSOHN Concerto for Violin and Piano
R. SCHUMANN Symphony No. 1 ("Spring")
Elgar's Enigma Variations
Feb. 14 & 15, 2025 | 6:30 PM | Mezzanine LobbyJoin guest conductor Ruth Reinhardt and pianist Olga Kern for a conversation about the upcoming program.
SUK Fairy Tale
R. SCHUMANN Piano Concerto
ELGAR Enigma Variations
Rachmaninoff's Piano Concerto No. 2
March 7 & 8, 2025 | 6:30 PM | Mezzanine LobbyJoin Music Director Kwamé Ryan and pianist Louis Schwizgebel for a conversation about the upcoming program.
Adam WALTERS The Downfall of Gaius Verres (U.S. Premiere)
RACHMANINOFF Piano Concerto No. 2
RESPIGHI Roman Festivals
Christof Perick Conducts Wagner
March 21 & 22, 2025 | 6:30 PM | Mezzanine LobbyJoin former CSO Music Director Christof Perick for a conversation about the upcoming program.
WAGNER Selections from Lohengrin and Die Meistersinger von Nürnberg
WAGNER/Arr. H. de Vlieger The Ring: An Orchestral Adventure
Meyer Plays Double Bass
April 4 & 5, 2025 | 6:30 PM | Wells Fargo Pre-Function SpaceJoin guest conductor Andre Raphel and double bass player Edgar Meyer for a conversation about the upcoming program.
Jennifer HIGDON blue cathedral
Edgar MEYER Double Bass Concerto No. 1
BOTTESINI / Arr. E. Meyer Concerto for Double Bass No. 2
BEETHOVEN Symphony No. 8
Debussy's La Mer
April 25 & 26, 2025 | 6:30 PM | Mezzanine LobbyJoin Resident Conductor Christopher James Lees and cellist Andrea Casarrubios for a conversation about the upcoming program.
FALLA The Three-Cornered Hat, Suite No. 2
Andrea CASARRUBIOS MIRAGE Concerto for Cello and Orchestra
STRAVINSKY Symphony of Psalms
DEBUSSY La Mer
Bernstein & Copland
May 16 & 17, 2025 | 6:30 PM | Wells Fargo Pre-Function SpaceMay 18, 2025 | 2 PM | Wells Fargo Pre-Function Space
Join Conductor Laureate Christopher Warren-Green and clarinetist Anthony McGill for a conversation about the upcoming program.
BERNSTEIN Symphonic Suite from On the Waterfront
COPLAND Clarinet Concerto
RACHMANINOFF Symphonic Dances
