One of the special joys of contemporary opera is visiting new musical and storytelling territory on a journey of theatrical exploration. That should certainly be the case for Marble City Opera‘s next production, Heartbreak Express, by George Lam & John…
KSO Joins 30-Orchestra Consortium in League of American Orchestras’ Commissioning of Women Composers
As the story from 1943 goes—composer Florence Price once wrote a letter to Maestro Serge Koussevitsky asking him to consider programming her music with the Boston Symphony Orchestra. In introducing herself, she wrote: “To begin with, I have two handicaps,…
This Week: KSO Welcomes Guest Conductor Francesco Lecce-Chong and Pianist Michelle Cann
Knoxville Symphony Orchestra Masterworks: “Michelle Cann Plays Rachmaninoff” Guest Conductor: Francesco Lecce-Chong Pianist: Michelle Cann Tennessee Theatre, 604 S. Gay Street in Downtown Knoxville Thursday and Friday, October 13 and 14, 7:30 PM • • • Rachmaninoff: Piano Concerto No.…
Arts & Culture Alliance: Arts Build Communities Grants for 2022-23
The Arts & Culture Alliance of Greater Knoxville has announced Arts Build Communities (ABC) grants for local art projects in the 2022-23 season. Twenty-three non-profit 501(c)(3) organizations located within five East Tennessee counties were awarded $500 – $3,500 each for…
KSO’s Concertmaster Series Returns: A Q&A with Concertmaster William Shaub
BY ALAN SHERROD Although it seems like decades in our post-pandemic world, it was only five years ago in 2017 that we were introducing William Shaub as the new Concertmaster of the Knoxville Symphony Orchestra. Since that time, the…
Review in Brief: Amadeus Chamber Ensemble – Mozart’s ‘Coronation Mass’ & ‘Regina Coeli’
Classical music lovers know full well that one has to take advantage of every opportunity to catch the gems of the repertoire when performances of them happen in a busy music scene. This past Sunday afternoon was one of these…
Review in Brief: KSO and Laura Beth Wells Bring A Sunday Afternoon Audience To Joy and Tears
BY ALAN SHERROD While a sudden fall rain fell outside the Bijou Theatre on Sunday afternoon, those inside may have noticed a little moisture as well. No, not a leaky roof, thank heavens, but rather a tear or two…
Review: Clarence Brown Theatre’s ‘Murder on the Orient Express’ – A First Class Ride
BY ALAN SHERROD As the show curtain rose on DJ Pike’s beautifully atmospheric set for Clarence Brown Theatre’s production of Murder on the Orient Express which opened last week, I halfway expected the audience to break into applause at…
Preview: Mozart’s ‘Coronation Mass’ & ‘Regina Coeli’ – Amadeus Chamber Ensemble
Mozart: Coronation Mass & Regina Coeli Amadeus Chamber Ensemble Orchestra & Chorus Cathedral Concert Series — Cathedral of the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus 711 S. Northshore Drive in Knoxville Sunday, September 25, 5:30 PM Admission is Free, but online…
Review: KSO and Demirjian Find Freshness in Grieg and Tchaikovsky for Season Opener
BY ALAN SHERROD The four months of summer break for the Knoxville Symphony Orchestra Masterworks concerts always seems a bit interminable. But there we were—strolling into the Tennessee Theatre lobby feeling that strange sense of excitement that is not…
