Chautauqua Symphony Orchestra and Classical Concerts
See VacationSafely.chq.org for updated public health protocols.
Contact Information
Chautauqua Institution Ticket Office
Monday–Friday, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. EDT
ticketoffice@chq.org
716.357.6250
Order online:
tickets.chq.org
Upcoming Events
July 27 @ 4:15 pm Week Five (July 20–27)
Chautauqua Chamber Music: Chautauqua Piano Quartet
Elizabeth S. Lenna Hall
Chautauqua Chamber Music: Chautauqua Piano Quartet
Aaron Berofsky, violin
Kathryn Votapek, viola
Felix Wang, cello
Phillip Bush, piano
Chautauqua School of Music faculty members Aaron Berofsky, violin and chair of School of Music Strings, Kathryn Votapek, viola, and cellist Felix Wang are joined by pianist Phillip Bush for a program of piano quartets. In addition to teaching at Chautauqua, Aaron Berofsky is Professor of Violin at the University of Michigan and has served as visiting Professor at the Hochschule fur Musik in Detmold, Germany. Violist and violinist Kathryn Votapek was a member of the Chester String Quartet for 15 years, and now maintains an active career as soloist and as guest artist at music festivals such as Chautauqua throughout the U.S., Canada and Europe. In addition to being the cellist of the Blair String Quartet, Felix Wang is a founding member of the Blakemore Trio and co-principal cellist of the IRIS Orchestra. Pianist Phillip Bush is widely acknowledged as one of the most experienced American chamber music pianists of his generation, and has performed and recorded with the Chamber Music Society of Lincoln Center, appeared innumerable times on Brooklyn’s Bargemusic series, and has performed at the Grand Canyon Music Festival, Newport Music Festival, Bridgehampton Chamber Music Festival, Cape Cod Chamber Music Festival and at many other festivals.
Chautauqua Chamber Music is made possible in part by The Kay Hardesty Logan Fund.
July 27 @ 8:15 pm Week Six (July 27–August 3)
Renée Fleming with the Chautauqua Symphony Orchestra
Amphitheater
Renée Fleming with the Chautauqua Symphony Orchestra
Rossen Milanov, conductor
One of the most acclaimed singers of our time, Renée Fleming joins the Chautauqua Symphony Orchestra under the direction of Rossen Milanov. Honored with five Grammy® awards and the US National Medal of Arts, Ms. Fleming has sung for momentous occasions from the Nobel Peace Prize ceremony to the Diamond Jubilee Concert for Queen Elizabeth II at Buckingham Palace. This summer she brings Voice of Nature: the Anthropocene to the Amphitheater, a new, live, multi-media performance piece, inspired by her Grammy Award-winning album of the same name. In concert with an original film created for this performance by National Geographic, Fleming sings music ranging from Handel to The Lord of the Rings, with stunning video captured in locations from the Amazon rainforest to Yosemite, addressing humankind’s complicated relationship with nature.
This program is made possible by Week Six Presenting Sponsors AHN Westfield and Highmark Blue Cross Blue Shield.
July 29 @ 4:00 pm Week Six (July 27–August 3)
Chautauqua Chamber Music: Harlem Quartet
Elizabeth S. Lenna Hall
Chautauqua Chamber Music: Harlem Quartet
The Harlem Quartet, hailed for its fresh approach to classical music, combines diverse programming with a collaborative performance style, broadening its repertoire and audience reach. Committed to advancing diversity in classical music, the quartet engages in educational and community outreach activities, earning recognition and grants for its efforts. Collaborating with renowned artists and performing worldwide, the quartet has made significant contributions to the string quartet genre, including premiering unique arrangements and compositions. From performing at prestigious venues like Carnegie Hall to recording Grammy-winning albums, the Harlem Quartet continues to inspire audiences with its passion and innovation in chamber music.
Harlem Quartet violinist Melissa White joins the Chautauqua Symphony orchestra on Tuesday, July 30, in the Bruch violin concerto.
Program:
William Grant Still: Lyric Quartette
I. The Quiet One
II. The Sentimental One
Dizzy Gillespie arr. by Dave Glenn: A Night in Tunisia
Wynton Marsalis: At the Octoroon Balls
“Rampart Street Rowhouse Rag”
“Hellbound Highball”
Guido López-Gavilán: Cuarteto En Guaguanco
Caroline Shaw: Entr’acte
Fanny Mendelssohn Hensel: Quartet in E-flat Major
I. Adagio ma non troppo
II. Allegretto
III. Romanze
IV. Allegro molto vivace
Chautauqua Chamber Music is made possible in part by The Kay Hardesty Logan Fund.
July 30 @ 8:15 pm Week Six (July 27–August 3)
Chautauqua Symphony Orchestra: Mahler’s Fourth Symphony
Amphitheater
Chautauqua Symphony Orchestra: Mahler’s Fourth Symphony
Rossen Milanov, conductor
Melissa White, violin
Aubry Ballarò, soprano
Immerse yourself in an evening of two major orchestral works. Acclaimed violinist Melissa White takes center stage with the Chautauqua Symphony Orchestra in the passionate and lyrical sounds of Max Bruch’s first violin concerto. The program continues with Mahler’s fourth symphony, known for its delicate and celestial beauty. Join us for a night of musical brilliance, where the artistry of the musicians and the grandeur of Bruch and Mahler converge to create an unforgettable symphonic experience.
Melissa White performs with the Harlem Quartet on Monday, July 29, as part of the Chautauqua Chamber Music series.
Program:
Max Bruch: Violin Concerto No. 1 in G minor, Op. 26
Gustav Mahler: Symphony No. 4 in G major
This program is made possible by Week Six Presenting Sponsors AHN Westfield and Highmark Blue Cross Blue Shield and by The Clement and Karen Arrison Endowment for Classical Violin and The Rittman Family Fund for Performing Arts.
August 1 @ 8:15 pm Week Six (July 27–August 3)
Chautauqua Symphony Orchestra: Brahms Piano Concerto
Amphitheater
Chautauqua Symphony Orchestra: Brahms Piano Concerto
Rossen Milanov, conductor
Alexander Kobrin, piano
Embark on a journey of profound emotion and musical mastery with pianist Alexander Kobrin and the Chautauqua Symphony Orchestra under the baton of music director Rossen Milanov. The evening begins with Johannes Brahms’ majestic Piano Concerto No. 1, a monumental work that showcases Kobrin’s virtuosity and interpretive depth. The program concludes with Robert Schumann’s Symphony No. 4, a symphonic masterpiece that brims with vitality and innovation. Join us for an unforgettable evening of music-making!
Program:
Johannes Brahms: Piano Concerto No. 1 in D minor, Op. 15
Robert Schumann: Symphony No. 4 in D minor, Op. 120
This program is made possible by Week Six Presenting Sponsors AHN Westfield and Highmark Blue Cross Blue Shield and by The Donald Chace Shaw Fund and The Katherine Baldridge Warman and Guy L. Warman Chautauqua Symphony Orchestra Fund.
August 3 @ 4:15 pm Week Six (July 27–August 3)
Chautauqua Chamber Music: M&M and Porch Ensemble
Elizabeth S. Lenna Hall
Chautauqua Chamber Music: M&M and Porch Ensemble
A Recital for Piano(s) and Very Many Hands
M&M: Martin Dubé and Kane Matsumoto Giampietro
Porch Ensemble: Julius Abraham, Donna Gill, Bénédicte Jourdois and Jinhee Park
Since their sensational debut performance of Ravel’s La Valse in the summer of 2019, M&M Piano Duo has been entertaining Chautauqua audiences each summer since with a variety of repertoire. M&M Piano Duo is named after their initials (Martin Dubé and Kanae Matsumoto Gimpietro) and their beloved mentor Marlena Malas. M&M are joined by the Porch Ensemble of Opera Conservatory pianists Julius Abraham, Donna Gill, Bénédicte Jourdois and Jinhee Park for a delightful afternoon of piano duets, trios, and more!
Chautauqua Chamber Music is made possible in part by The Kay Hardesty Logan Fund.
August 3 @ 8:15 pm Week Seven (August 3–10)
Sinatra & Beyond with Tony DeSare and the Chautauqua Symphony Orchestra
Amphitheater
Sinatra & Beyond with Tony DeSare and the Chautauqua Symphony Orchestra
Stuart Chafetz, conductor
Called “two parts Frank Sinatra and one part Billy Joel,” the triple-threat singer/pianist/songwriter Tony DeSare takes on the legend of Ol’ Blue Eyes himself. From jazz clubs to Carnegie Hall to headlining with major symphony orchestras, Tony DeSare delivers a fresh take on old school class in an outstanding, critically-acclaimed tribute to the great Frank Sinatra that includes songs like Come Fly with Me, I’ve Got the World On a String, It Was A Very Good Year, One for My Baby, The Summer Wind, I Get A Kick Out of You, Night and Day, New York, New York, My Way, and so many more Sinatra classics.
This performance is made possible in part by The Elizabeth Elser Doolittle Endowment Fund for Adult Programming.
August 5 @ 4:15 pm Week Seven (August 3–10)
Chautauqua Chamber Music: Ivalas Quartet
Elizabeth S. Lenna Hall
Chautauqua Chamber Music: Ivalas Quartet
The Ivalas Quartet, founded in 2017 at the University of Michigan, champions BIPOC voices in classical music by spotlighting composers like Jessie Montgomery and Samuel Coleridge-Taylor. Notable performances include Carnegie Hall, where they premiered George Walker’s Lyric for Strings, and collaborations with Lara Downes for Carlos Simon’s Warmth From Other Suns. Through the Sphinx Organization, Ivalas has presented educational programming in the Metro Detroit area, with an emphasis on community engagement in schools with Black and Latinx communities. Currently, as Graduate Resident String Quartet at The Juilliard School, they continue their mission of musical diversity and education, coaching student groups and collaborating with institutions like the Chamber Music Society of Lincoln Center. Recognized for their dedication, they’ve won prizes at competitions and held residencies at prestigious venues like Caramoor and Carnegie Hall.
Program:
Jessie Montgomery: Strum
Carlos Simon: Warmth from Other Suns
Eleanor Alberga: String Quartet No. 2
Derrick Skye: Deliverance
Chautauqua Chamber Music is made possible in part by The Kay Hardesty Logan Fund. This performance is also supported by The Julia and Ralph C. Sheldon, Jr. Fund for the Performing Arts.
August 8 @ 8:15 pm Week Seven (August 3–10)
Chautauqua Symphony Orchestra: A Joachim Premiere
Amphitheater
Chautauqua Symphony Orchestra: A Joachim Premiere
Naomi Woo, conductor
Seth Parker Woods, cello
Guest conductor Naomi Woo makes her Chautauqua Symphony Orchestra debut in this groundbreaking symphony program. Acclaimed cellist Seth Parker Woods takes the stage to premiere “Had To Be” by the visionary composer Nathalie Joachim, co-commissioned by the Chautauqua Institution as part of its commitment to investing in the future of the arts. Jean Sibelius’ monumental Symphony No. 2, a symphonic masterpiece renowned for its sweeping melodies and evocative power, closes the evening. Join us for a night of musical exploration and discovery as we celebrate the intersection of tradition and innovation in this unforgettable symphony experience.
Program:
Nathalie Joachim: Had To Be (premiere)
Jean Sibelius: Symphony No. 2 in D major, Op. 43
This program is made possible by The Margaret Miller Newman Fund for the Chautauqua Symphony Orchestra and by The Mary E. Whitaker Symphony Endowment Fund.
August 10 @ 4:15 pm Week Seven (August 3–10)
Chautauqua Chamber Music: Chautauqua Symphony Orchestra Chamber Players
Elizabeth S. Lenna Hall
Chautauqua Chamber Music: Chautauqua Symphony Orchestra Chamber Players
Daniel Spitzer, clarinet
Amanda Gates, violin
Diane Bruce, violin
Carrie Dreyer Fischer, viola
Daryl Goldberg, cello
Carrie Dreyer Fischer, one of the newest members of the Chautauqua Symphony Orchestra, joins long-time CSO members Daniel Spitzer, Amanda Gates, Diane Bruce and Daryl Goldberg in an afternoon of clarinet quintets. This program juxtaposes Samuel Coleridge-Taylor’s poignant Clarinet Quintet in F-sharp minor against Mozart’s classic Clarinet Quintet in A major, offering a rich exploration of contrasting styles and historical periods. From Coleridge-Taylor’s lush Romanticism to Mozart’s elegant Classical charm, audiences are treated to a dynamic journey through two distinct musical worlds.
Program:
Samuel Coleridge-Taylor: Clarinet Quintet in F-sharp minor, Op. 10
W.A. Mozart: Clarinet Quintet in A major, K. 581
Chautauqua Chamber Music is made possible in part by The Kay Hardesty Logan Fund. This performance is also supported by The Helen H. and Paul L. Sample Fund.
August 10 @ 8:15 pm Week Eight (August 10–17)
Houston Ballet with the Chautauqua Symphony Orchestra
Amphitheater
Houston Ballet with the Chautauqua Symphony Orchestra
Rossen Milanov, conductor
With over 50 years of rich history, Houston Ballet has evolved into the country’s fourth-largest ballet company and with a global reach, touring in renowned theaters in Dubai, London, Paris, Moscow, Spain, Montréal, Ottawa, Melbourne, New York City, Washington, D.C., Los Angeles, Tokyo and more.
Australian choreographer Stanton Welch AM has served as Artistic Director of Houston Ballet since 2003, raising the level of the Company’s classical technique from dance legends such as Sir Frederick Ashton, George Balanchine, Sir Kenneth MacMillan, John Neumeier, and Jerome Robbins. Continuing the legacy of being a choreographic eden, Houston Ballet has also commissioned new works by Aszure Barton, Trey McIntyre, Annabelle Lopez Ochoa and Justin Peck. Julie Kent joined Welch as Artistic Director in 2023, after serving as Artistic Director of The Washington Ballet from 2016 – 2023, where she commissioned over 26 world premieres from a diverse range of choreographers as well as several full-length classical ballets. Kent retired as a Principal dancer in 2015 as the longest-tenured dancer in American Ballet Theatre’s 84-year history and is deeply committed to positively impacting artists, audiences, and communities through the transformative power of dance.
Program to be announced.
This performance is made possible by The Craig and Cathrine Greene Family Fund.
August 12 @ 4:15 pm Week Eight (August 10–17)
Chautauqua Chamber Music: Third Coast Percussion
Elizabeth S. Lenna Hall
Chautauqua Chamber Music: Third Coast Percussion
Third Coast Percussion, a Grammy-winning percussion quartet and composer collective based in Chicago, has redefined classical music by pushing percussion into new realms of creativity for nearly two decades. With a focus on audience engagement and educational outreach, they’ve performed worldwide and collaborated with a diverse range of artists, from engineers to dancers. Through extensive commissioning and close collaboration with composers, Third Coast Percussion has expanded their repertoire with innovative new works, earning critical acclaim and multiple Grammy nominations. Deeply rooted in Chicago’s artistic community, the quartet continues to inspire audiences and students alike with their passion, curiosity, and commitment to musical exploration.
Third Coast Percussion joins the Chautauqua Symphony Orchestra on Tuesday, August 13, in Christopher Cerrone’s “Meander Spiral Explode,” which was composed for the ensemble.
Chautauqua Chamber Music is made possible in part by The Kay Hardesty Logan Fund. This performance is also supported by The Walter L. and Martha Tinkham Miller Fund.
August 13 @ 8:15 pm Week Eight (August 10–17)
Chautauqua Symphony Orchestra with Third Coast Percussion
Amphitheater
Chautauqua Symphony Orchestra with Third Coast Percussion
Rossen Milanov, conductor
Third Coast Percussion
Dive into a mesmerizing sonic journey with Third Coast Percussion, the Grammy Award-winning Chicago-based percussion quartet. For nearly 20 years, the ensemble has created exciting and unexpected performances that constantly redefine the classical music experience and “push percussion in new directions, blurring musical boundaries and beguiling new listeners” (NPR), with a brilliantly varied sonic palette and “dazzling rhythmic workouts” (Pitchfork).
The evening begins with the immersive soundscape of John Luther Adams’ “Become River,” transporting audiences to ethereal realms with its hypnotic rhythms and lush textures. Next, Third Coast Percussion presents Christopher Cerrone’s “Meander Spiral Explode,” a riveting exploration of rhythmic intricacy and sonic innovation. The program concludes with Benjamin Britten’s evocative “Four Sea Interludes from Peter Grimes,” conjuring images of the sea’s power and beauty through its captivating orchestration. Join the Chautauqua Symphony Orchestra for an unforgettable symphony experience!
Third Coast Percussion also performs on Monday, August 12, as part of the Chautauqua Chamber Music series.
Program:
John Luther Adams: Become River
Christopher Cerrone: Meander Spiral Explode
Third Coast Percussion
Benjamin Britten: Four Sea Interludes from Peter Grimes
This program is made possible by The Robert and Susan Laubach Endowment and by The Heitzenrater Family Chautauqua Symphony Orchestra Fund.
August 15 @ 8:15 pm Week Eight (August 10–17)
Chautauqua Symphony Orchestra: Shostakovich’s First Symphony
Amphitheater
Chautauqua Symphony Orchestra: Shostakovich’s First Symphony
Rossen Milanov, conductor
Prepare to be captivated by a symphony program that bridges the past and the present with extraordinary grace. The evening commences with Caroline Shaw’s “Entr’acte,” a contemporary gem that enchants with its ethereal melodies and innovative harmonies, showcasing Shaw’s unique voice as a composer. Following this mesmerizing introduction, the orchestra delves into the dramatic depths of Dmitri Shostakovich’s Symphony No. 1, a groundbreaking work that heralded the arrival of a musical prodigy. Shostakovich’s symphony, with its bold themes and masterful orchestration, stands as a testament to the enduring power of music. Join us for an unforgettable symphony experience, where the genius of Shaw and Shostakovich converge to create an evening of sublime musicality.
Program:
Caroline Shaw: Entr’acte
Dmitri Shostakovich: Symphony No. 1, Op. 10
This program is made possible by The David B. and Barbara Barrett Orr Music Fund and The Boyle Family Fund for the Performing Arts.
August 17 @ 8:15 pm Week Nine (August 17–25)
Chautauqua Symphony Orchestra: The Rite of Spring
Amphitheater
Chautauqua Symphony Orchestra: The Rite of Spring
Rossen Milanov, conductor
Cassandra Trenary, dancer
Choreographer Molissa Fenley’s celebrated solo work, State of Darkness, originally commissioned by the American Dance Festival in 1988, pairs Stravinsky’s complete The Rite of Spring with an intense 35-minute solo performance of relentless fervency, technical precision, and fearless abandon, brought to the Chautauqua stage by American Ballet Theater Principal Dancer Cassandra Trenary. Fenley reimagined the commanding score as the sonic landscape for a solo journey, rather than the usual ensemble interpretations.
The program opens with Leoš Janáček’s Taras Bulba, a vibrant symphonic rhapsody that vividly depicts the story of the Cossack leader Taras Bulba and his sons. Through its evocative melodies and dramatic orchestration, it captures the heroism and tragedy of this legend.
Program
Leoš Janáček: Taras Bulba
State of Darkness
Igor Stravinsky: The Rite of Spring
Cassandra Trenary, dancer
This program is made possible by The Jim and Lynn Levinson Fund for the Chautauqua Symphony Orchestra and by The Lewis Miller Memorial Fund.
August 20 @ 8:15 pm Week Nine (August 17–25)
Chautauqua Chamber Music: Alexa Tarantino Quartet
Amphitheater
Chautauqua Chamber Music: Alexa Tarantino Quartet
In the words of Wynton Marsalis, saxophonist and composer Alexa Tarantino is a “one-woman wrecking crew, […] an indomitable force for expression, education, and absolute excellence.” The Alexa Tarantino Quartet engages their audience through Tarantino’s original compositions and modern takes on classic standards and favorites. With a wide range of inspiration, the Quartet’s repertoire remains refreshing with uplifting elements of creative improvisation and musical interaction.
The Quartet celebrates their debut album, “Winds of Change,” produced by Posi-Tone Records in May 2019. Recent New York City performances include Dizzy’s Club, The Jazz Standard, and Birdland Theater. The Quartet has also played the Rockport Jazz Festival at the Shalin Liu Performance Center in Rockport, Massachusetts for the past several years. Currently, the ensemble holds a residency as Faculty Members, with Alexa Tarantino as Founder/Director, at the Rockport Jazz Workshop.
August 21 @ 8:15 pm Week Nine (August 17–25)
Wynton Marsalis’ All Rise Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra with the Music School Festival Orchestra and Buffalo Philharmonic Chorus, Timothy Muffitt, conductor
Amphitheater
Wynton Marsalis’ All Rise Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra with the Music School Festival Orchestra and Buffalo Philharmonic Chorus, Timothy Muffitt, conductor
“The 20th was the century of communication. The 21st will be the century of integration. Our rapidly developing global community is the most exciting modern reality.” So opens Wynton Marsalis’ notes to “All Rise,” considered the composer’s Symphony No. 1 — a work not just of music, but of life, history, and the joyous power people hold to create art and progress when they work collectively and collaboratively. Two extraordinary performances of “All Rise” are the cornerstone of the closing week of the Chautauqua season, as Chautauqua’s very own Music School Festival Orchestra under the baton of Timothy Muffitt joins forces with the Buffalo Philharmonic Chorus and the legendary Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra with Wynton Marsalis on the Amphitheater stage.
This performance is made possible in part by The Hultquist Foundation, Inc. and The H. David Faust Leadership Fund.
August 22 @ 8:15 pm Week Nine (August 17–25)
Wynton Marsalis’ All Rise Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra with the Music School Festival Orchestra and Buffalo Philharmonic Chorus, Timothy Muffitt, conductor
Amphitheater
Wynton Marsalis’ All Rise Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra with the Music School Festival Orchestra and Buffalo Philharmonic Chorus, Timothy Muffitt, conductor
“The 20th was the century of communication. The 21st will be the century of integration. Our rapidly developing global community is the most exciting modern reality.” So opens Wynton Marsalis’ notes to “All Rise,” considered the composer’s Symphony No. 1 — a work not just of music, but of life, history, and the joyous power people hold to create art and progress when they work collectively and collaboratively. Two extraordinary performances of “All Rise” are the cornerstone of the closing week of the Chautauqua season, as Chautauqua’s very own Music School Festival Orchestra under the baton of Timothy Muffitt joins forces with the Buffalo Philharmonic Chorus and the legendary Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra with Wynton Marsalis on the Amphitheater stage.
This performance is made possible in part by The Hultquist Foundation, Inc. and The John T. and Katherine G. Bailey Family Fund.