David Neely, music director

Photo by Erika Nizborski

Igor Stravinsky’s Petrushka is a vibrant symphony in three movements based on a ballet that tells the captivating tale of a tragic yet endearing puppet. Brought to life by a magician, Petrushka is burdened by human emotions and falls in love with a beautiful ballerina doll. This love is not reciprocated, and Petrushka is confronted with jealousy and rage, ultimately leading to his demise. Laden with Russian folk tunes and bursting with charisma, the orchestration of Petrushka effortlessly captures the puppet’s folly and the carnival in which the story takes place.

Also on the program are the Overture to Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart’s iconic Le nozze di Figaro and Erich Wolfgang Korngold’s Violin Concerto, featuring School of Music Professor James Stern as soloist.