For lovers of cellos and double basses, the festive season begins early. Under the name Virtuosi di basso, members of the Czech Philharmonic’s lower string sections join forces for a spirited concert. Brilliant arrangements of Rossini and West Side Story will showcase their musical flair, while sacred Baroque songs of The Czech Lute and Christmas carols will see them honour tradition.

EPSG:4326

Advent Concert I • Virtuosi di Basso

Rudolfinum

For this recital at the Martinů Hall, the PBtet presents the full range of possibilities from the brass quintet genre, from more typical fanfares to a suite from the opera Rusalka. The contemporary Czech composer Jan Kučera has written The Four-Colour Suite especially for the ensemble.

Czech Chamber Music Society • PBtet

Music and Dance Faculty of the Academy of Performing Arts in Prague

PCE’s seasonal favorite returns with a stirring program for chorale and orchestra that celebrates the universal expression of the human spirit through music. Amazing Grace, perhaps the most universal of folk hymns, has inspired people all around the world for centuries. This new year, we feature works by George Walker, Gustav Mahler, Margaret Bonds, Luciano Berio, and the DC premiere of Jeffrey Mumford’s extraordinary cello concerto with soloist Annie Jacobs-Perkins, winner of the 2023 Pierre Fournier Award. ‍

As a special tribute, PCE will present Mr. Mumford with PCE’s American Roots Artist Award for his outstanding contributions to the American music. Bring the family, and join us in singing Amazing Grace with the whole ensemble at the end of the evening.

Amazing Grace: in Paradisum

Kennedy Center

With a nostalgic, golden-age voice that routinely inspires comparisons to “legendary singers from earlier eras” (Associated Press), Maltese-born Joseph Calleja has become one of the most acclaimed tenors today, and he will make his BroadStage return as part of the 2023/24 Celebrity Opera Recital Series. Calleja’s extensive discography and appearances on the world’s leading opera, concert, and television stages have marked him as one of the most sought-after tenors of today. Recent operatic seasons have included appearances at notable opera houses such as the Metropolitan Opera in New York, the Paris Opera, the Gran Teatre del Liceu, the Deutsche Oper Berlin, and the Royal Opera House in London. Calleja received a GRAMMY® nomination for his recording of La Traviata from the Royal Opera House, and in 2012, he was named Gramophone Magazine’s Artist of the Year. NPR describes Calleja as “arguably today’s finest lyric tenor” (NPR), and his warm and rich tone matched with his impeccable stage interpretations leave audiences enchanted.

John Newton

Events

Past events

Nov 30, 2025

Advent Concert I • Virtuosi di Basso · Czech Philharmonic

Mar 22, 2025

Czech Chamber Music Society • PBtet · Czech Philharmonic

About

John Newton hasn't added a bio