The Valley Symphony Orchestra recently announced the 2023-2024 masterworks concert season, “Musical Mystique.” The five-concert series will take place at the McAllen Performing Arts Center, and all concerts will be conducted by Maestro Peter Dabrowski.
“These five concerts are packed with an incredible variety of music,” said Katy Coy, VSO executive director. “We’re starting the season with Beethoven, Harry Potter is back by popular demand, and some beautiful works like Scheherazade and “The Sorcerer’s Apprentice” are also featured. There’s something for everyone this year.”
The masterworks season begins on November 3 with Music of the Greats, a concert featuring Beethoven’s high-spirited Symphony No. 7 alongside Mussorgsky’s haunting “A Night on Bald Mountain.” On December 1, the holiday favorite featuring the Valley Symphony Chorale, A Touch of Frost, returns for its 23rd year. The Chorale will be conducted by Dr. Sean Taylor, Director of Choral Studies at UTRGV.
The holiday program will include the Symphony’s signature arrangement of Feliz Navidad, along with selections from “The Nutcracker” and Handel’s “Messiah.” On February 23, the concert Lyrical Legends features the VSO’s Assistant Principal cellist Patrick Hopkins performing “Variations on a Rococo Theme,” as well as family-friendly selections including “The Sorcerer’s Apprentice” and Stravinsky’s Firebird Suite.
In March, Potter and Piano showcases music from Harry Potter films and returning soloist Tanya Gabrielian performing George Gershwin’s Piano Concerto in F. The season finale, “Spellbound Symphony,” will include Rimsky-Korsakov’s beguiling Scheherazade, inspired by the tales of “The Arabian Nights.”
“The music of the season tells so many wonderful stories, from Harry Potter and his magic, to the determined and overcome Sorcerer’s Apprentice, to Scheherazade’s long and winding tales,” said Maestro Peter Dabrowski. “Through music, we are excited to bring these stories to life in new and adventurous ways for the entire Valley.”
The VSO will announce additional chamber concerts and community events during the season.
The Symphony is sustained through community generosity, and sponsorships. Those interested should contact the VSO office at (956) 661-1615.
The McAllen Performing Arts Center is located at 801 Convention Center Blvd. For more information, visit the VSO website at valleyorchestra.org.
