Arts Conversations

We're in the midst of WHRO's virtual chamber music concert series, featuring exclusive performances from local musicians. The next concert features soprano Anna Feucht and pianist Steve Kolb. Rebecca Weinstein spoke with Anna about the music on the program, how life has been during the pandemic, and her love of mad scenes.

We're in the midst of WHRO's virtual chamber music concert series, featuring exclusive performances from local musicians. The next concert features pianist Lee Jordan-Anders. Rebecca Weinstein spoke with her about how life has been lately, the music she’s sharing with us, and how she wants us to walk away from her performance feeling.

Wayla speaks with flutist Debra Wendells Cross and harpist Barbara Chapman, both longtime members of the Virginia Symphony and this week's featured artists in WHRO's Virtual Chamber Music Concert Series.

We're in the midst of WHRO's virtual chamber music concert series, featuring exclusive performances from local musicians. Our second concert in the series is by guitarist Todd Holcomb. Rebecca Weinstein spoke with him about the recording process for the concert, the music he’s sharing with us, and how he gets in his performance state of mind.

This week kicks off WHRO's virtual chamber music concert series, featuring exclusive performances from local musicians. Our first concert in the series is by the New Commonwealth Quartet, and Wayla Chambo spoke with members of the group about their experiences making music over the past several months.

WHRO-FM will air "The Ballad of the Brown King," a cantata by Margaret Bonds on Saturday, December 19. Rebecca Weinstein interviewed Malcolm J. Merriweather, who directed this world premiere recording with the Dessoff Choirs.

James Blachly speaks with Wayla about his recently released premiere recording of The Prison (1930) by Dame Ethel Smyth, why he considers it a neglected masterpiece, and what particular meaning it might hold for us in 2020.

Virginia Opera was forced to cancel its production of Aida due to COVID-19, but the company is still working to stay connected with opera lovers across Virginia. This Thursday, April 30, Virginia Opera will stream a production of La Boheme from 2015 on YouTube. Rebecca interviewed Artistic Director Adam Turner about how the company is coping during these tough times.

Jae Sinnett, host of Sinnett in Session on WHRV had a few moments to speak with Randy Thomas, president and owner The Vanguard Brewpub & Distillery about their mandated shutdown, their opportunity to be part of the distillery team making hand sanitizer for the U.S. government, and the creative ways they are still working to support local musicians during the shutdown. Out of bad, comes good!

Dr. Glenn Winters discusses the final Virginia Opera production of this season, Verdi's epic masterpiece Aida.

Frederick Ballentine grew up in Norfolk and attended the Governor's School for the Arts, where he fell in love with opera. This season, he made his debut at The Metropolitan Opera with the role of Sportin' Life in their new production of Gershwin's Porgy and Bess. Frederick talks with Wayla about his memories of Governor's School, his advice for current students, and what it was like making that Met debut.

Preview of Virginia Opera's "Cinderella" with Glenn Winters

The Peacherine Ragtime Orchestra will perform in Kill Devil Hills on Saturday, January 25. Rebecca Evans interviewed Andrew Greene, the orchestra’s conductor and founder, about the performance.

Wayla speaks with French guitarist Raphael Feuillatre, who was the First Prize Winner of the 2018 Guitar Foundation of America Competition and is currently on tour throughout North America. His recently released album on the Naxos label includes a wide range of styles and periods, encompassing both classic works for the guitar and transcriptions of works from composers such as Rameau, Rachmaninov, and Scriabin. He performs two concerts in the area this week, presented by the Tidewater Classical Guitar Society.

Virginia Musical Theatre presents the Rodgers and Hammerstein review "A Grand Night for Singing" the weekend of November 22. Rebecca Evans interviewed Director Lindsay Eure and performer Tyler Sodoma about their backgrounds, the arrangements in the show, and the moments they're most excited about.

The Norfolk Chamber Consort presents “Traversing the Americas” on Monday, November 11. Rebecca Evans interviewed Artistic Co-Directors Andrey Kasparov and Oksana Lutsyshyn about their involvement with the Consort and what to expect at Monday’s concert.

opera discussion

Caroline Shaw, an innovative composer, violinist, and vocalist, is a guest artist with the Virginia Symphony this week. She was the youngest-ever recipient of the Pulitzer Prize for Music in 2013, and has written for and collaborated with a wide range of artists, from Renee Fleming, to the Philharmonia Baroque Orchestra, to Ben Folds. Wayla Chambo talks with Caroline about her creative process, the many musical hats she wears, and what listeners can expect to hear at these concerts.

Shakespeare’s Macbeth opens at the Generic Theater on Friday, October 4. Rebecca Evans interviewed the director and two leads about the production.