Wine & Country: Concerts & Performances

Reenter the fantasy realm of gods, heroes, and an epic quest for true love in Wagner’s Der Ring des Nibelungen (the “Ring” cycle) with Virginia Opera’s production of Siegfried. The most lighthearted of the four epic operas tells of Siegfried’s journey into adulthood with remarkable orchestral scene painting sprinkled with moments of humor. Beginning as the orphan grandson of Wotan, the king of the gods, he was raised by a dwarf named Mime. Emerging as a hero, Siegfried re-forges his father’s shattered sword and sets off to reclaim the lost ring from Das Rheingold before embarking on a quest for the greatest prize of all—love. Infused with Wagner’s ingenious short musical themes (leitmotifs) to weave together the tale, this is a must-see event in Virginia Opera’s grand multi-year experience. Virginia Opera Artistic Director Adam Turner conducts the Virginia Symphony Orchestra. Sung in German with English surtitles.

For the past 20 years, Christian McBride has been one of the most prolific and well-known figures of jazz, and for good reason. You might know him as a multi-GRAMMY Award-winning bassist, or as the velvety voice behind NPR’s popular “Jazz Night in America” radio show. At this concert, he joins the audience-favorite Metropolitan Jazz Orchestra led by founder, artistic director, and virtuoso saxophonist Jim Carroll, in an unforgettable night of bravado, improvisation, and jazz swagger. McBride’s larger–than–life sound, bold, technical style, and Juilliard training have propelled him into the world of jazz playing both upright acoustic and electric bass. McBride’s insight into the stories behind his music is always both illuminating and entertaining. “Mixing Big Band Jazz with James Brown Soul, no one plays it like Christian McBride” (The Observer). The Metropolitan Jazz Orchestra, made up of the area’s finest musicians, is thrilled to collaborate with McBride for an epic evening of all things jazz.

“Bravo Figaro, bravo, bravissimo!” Get ready to laugh and cheer for everyone’s favorite barber in this beloved masterpiece. Figaro, wily barber and wingman extraordinaire, is determined to help the lovestruck Count Almaviva woo the beautiful Rosina away from her lecherous guardian, Dr. Bartolo. The shenanigans unfold in Gioachino Rossini’s delightful bel canto and operatic comedy, The Barber of Seville. Presented by Virginia Opera, Rossini’s tour de force is a witty tale of bribery, deception, disguise, and, of course, true love. From the famous opening aria “Largo al factotum” (“Make Way for the Servant Who Does Nothing”), audiences of all ages will recognize the music, laugh out loud as Figaro and Almaviva scheme their way into Rosina’s heart, and leave utterly smitten with the romantic comedy. The music for this production is provided by the Virginia Symphony Orchestra. Sung in Italian with English surtitles.