Charlottesville Symphony at the University of Virginia
The Charlottesville Symphony at the University of Virginia performs a pair of Masterworks concerts on Saturday, April 23, 8:00pm, at Old Cabell Hall on the Grounds of the University of Virginia and Sunday, April 24, 3:30pm, at Charlottesville High School’s Martin Luther King, Jr. Performing Arts Center.
Richard Wagner - Prelude to Die Meistersinger von Nürnberg
Joseph Haydn - Cello Concerto in C Major
Bedřich Smetana - The Moldau
These concerts, celebrating the return of the Charlottesville Symphony’s full woodwind and brass sections following a two-year, Covid-driven hiatus, are sponsored by the Office of the Provost and the Vice Provost for the Arts at the University of Virginia.
Richard Wagner’s comedic opera, “Die Meistersinger von Nürnberg,” takes its narrative from the Mastersingers Guilds of 16th - century Nuremberg and their singing contests. Two musical themes – or “leitmotifs” – propel the story forward: one sounding like a fanfare symbolizing the mastersingers and the other a more flowing melody representing the young apprentice Walther and his love for beautiful Eva.
Charlottesville Symphony Principal Cellist Adam Carter is the soloist in Joseph Haydn’s Cello Concerto No. 1 in C Major, composed sometime between 1761 and 1765. It was first performed at Prince Esterházy’s palace in Eisenstad, Austria, but later vanished for two centuries. Full of cheerful melodies and Haydn’s characteristic symphonic charm, the concerto has become a musical staple while demonstrating that virtuosity and fun can go hand in hand.
A thoroughly patriotic work, “The Moldau” captures Bedřich Smetana’s love of his Czech homeland. It is the second symphonic poem of a six-movement suite, “Má vlast” (My Country) and his best-known orchestral work. The Moldau is the longest river in the Czech Republic. Smetana takes us on a journey filled with scenes of rural life. Two mountain springs – one hot, the other cold – join to form a mighty river. It flows past jubilant hunters and a village wedding before entering a gorge where water nymphs frolic in the moonlight. Beyond white water rapids, the river winds past a castle where Bohemian kings once lived before majestically vanishing into the distance.
COVID PROTOCOLS
Old Cabell Hall at the University of Virginia
- UVA has lifted mask requirements for audience members.
- Seat assignments are not distanced.
- The April 23-24 concerts have been shortened to approximately one hour with no intermission to reduce restroom lines and crowd mingling.
- If you are not feeling well, and especially if you are experiencing any of the symptoms commonly associated with COVID-19, please stay home. We will gladly offer you a ticket refund.
Martin Luther King, Jr. Performing Arts Center
- Mask wearing is strongly encouraged but no longer required for audience members at MLKPAC.
- PROOF OF VACCINATION STILL REQUIRED - Charlottesville City Schools require everyone, except children 12 years and under, entering the MLKPAC to provide proof of full vaccination or proof of a negative result of a NAAT or PCR COVID test taken within 72 hours of arrival, matched by a valid photo ID. Proof checkers will be on site. Any of the following will be accepted as proof of vaccination status:
- a physical copy of the vaccine card
- a digital photo on a phone of the vaccine card
- a printout or digital image of the vaccine record from a medical provider
- a printout or digital image of the vaccination from your state’s vaccine registry
For those unable to be vaccinated due to sincerely held religious beliefs or medical conditions, proof of a negative NAAT or PCR COVID test taken within 72 hours of arrival at the MLKPAC, matched by a valid photo ID is required. Please bring the negative test result, or a photo of it with the date and name clearly visible. At-home rapid results tests will not be accepted because the test taker cannot be verified.
- Seat assignments are not distanced.
- The April 23-24 concerts have been shortened to approximately one hour with no intermission to reduce restroom lines and crowd mingling.
- If you are not feeling well, and especially if you are experiencing any of the symptoms commonly associated with COVID-19, please stay home. We will gladly offer you a ticket refund.