WEATHER UPDATE 10:30 AM on Jan 10: Due to a declared state of emergency in North Carolina for impending severe weather conditions, and out of concern for the safety of our audience and musicians, tonight's Bach & Mozart concert at Knight Theater is cancelled. Ticketholders for tonight’s concert will receive an email with ticket options.



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

 

Mendelssohn's Double Concerto

Jan. 31 & Feb. 1, 2025 | 6:30 PM | Wells Fargo Pre-Function Space

Join guest conductor Akiko Fujimoto 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 Lobby

Join 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 Lobby

Join 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 
SAINT-SAËNS Bacchanale fromSamson and Delilah
RESPIGHI Roman Festivals

Christof Perick Conducts Wagner

March 21 & 22, 2025 | 6:30 PM | Mezzanine Lobby

Join 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 
 

Beethoven Symphony No. 8

April 4 & 5, 2025 | 6:30 PM | Wells Fargo Pre-Function Space

Join guest conductor Andre Raphel and double bass player Edgar Meyer for a conversation about the upcoming program.

Jennifer HIGDON blue cathedral 
Edgar MEYERDouble Bass Concerto No. 1 
BOTTESINI / Arr. E. MeyerConcerto for Double Bass No. 2 
BEETHOVEN Symphony No. 8 

Debussy's La Mer

April 25 & 26, 2025 | 6:30 PM | Mezzanine Lobby

Join 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 CASARRUBIOSMIRAGE 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 Space
May 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