Get ready for an enchanting cultural journey across Washington, DC, Milton, DE, and North Bethesda, MD! Dive into the rich history of ballet with Diane Coburn Bruning, enjoy the nostalgic tunes of the Carpenters by Lisa Rock, and experience Puccini’s Manon Lescaut at The George Washington University. The Jungle Book brings adventure to life at the Kennedy Center, while 'A Candlelight Christmas' and Handel's 'Messiah' fill the air with festive cheer. Don't miss these captivating events!

Cultural Extravaganza: Ballet, Opera, and Festive Cheer in Washington and Beyond

Experience the enchantment of music with The Washington Chorus as it presents an array of breathtaking performances celebrating diverse themes from holiday joy to profound social commentary. With events like 'A Candlelight Christmas,' 'Stand the Storm,' 'Gianandrea Noseda conducts Beethoven’s Missa Solemnis,' and a powerful rendition of Verdi's 'Aida,' audiences are promised an unforgettable journey. Featuring esteemed conductors, talented soloists, and notable creative works, each event encapsulates a distinct narrative, offering both festive cheer and thought-provoking artistry. Join us in exploring the powerful harmony that music brings to life.

A Harmonious Celebration: The Washington Chorus's Diverse Musical Journey

It’s the most wonderful time of the year! Join The Washington Chorus in celebrating the 15th Anniversary of its annual “A Candlelight Christmas,” ringing in the holiday season with joy, spirit, and unity. Featuring spirited brass, a festive chorus, and extra special guests, this family-friendly concert is among the DC region’s most beloved holiday traditions. Last year’s performances were entirely sold out, so don’t miss your chance to celebrate the season with TWC!

EPSG:4326

A Candlelight Christmas

Strathmore

Kennedy Center

Celebrate the genius of American composers as the NSO performs Aaron Copland’s Suite from Billy the Kid and selections from his Old American Songs, Jessie Montgomery’s Banner, and Here I Stand—a new NSO co-commission by Carlos Simon and librettist Dan Harder. Grammy–winning bass-baritone Morris Robinson and The Washington Chorus join for this special concert.

American Masters:  Eugene Rogers conducts Carlos Simon/Dan Harder, Aaron Copland & Jessie Montgomery

Join us for a rousing collection of songs and stories that celebrate and challenge the American narrative—from Jessie Montgomery’s revolutionary anthem Banner to iconic music from Copland’s Billy the Kid and more. The NSO proudly presents Here I Stand: Paul Robeson, a new commission by composer Carlos Simon and librettist Dan Harder written to honor the African American singer, actor, athlete, scholar, and fearless supporter of racial equality. Bass-baritone Morris Robinson and The Washington Chorus join us for this symphonic exploration of the ideals we strive for as a country and community, united by hope.

Eugene Rogers Conducts “EchoEs of America”

National Philharmonic and The Washington Chorus reunite under the baton of TWC Artistic Director Eugene Rogers for a program highlighting the brilliant choral works of Lili Boulanger, Igor Stravinsky, and Ludwig van Beethoven. The intricate harmonies, expressive melodies, and expansive orchestration of Boulanger’s Psalm 24 paint a picture of the composer’s faith and immense talent. While Symphony of Psalms is a profound work that blends religious texts into Stravinsky’s unique musical vision, using dissonant harmonies and shifting meters to create a sense of drama and tension. 

L’éternel

The Music Center at Strathmore

This is not your typical Requiem. Anguish, loss, and fear of death are gone—replaced with a tender vision of paradise that awaits. Gabriel Fauré’s masterpiece is one of the most iconic works of the sacred choral repertoire, comforting audiences far beyond the composer’s Parisian congregation. Bernard Labadie conducts the divine score, along with symphonies by Mozart and Rigel that also premiered to great acclaim in Paris.

Bernard Labadie conducts Fauré’s Requiem & Mozart’s “Paris” Symphony

California Center for the Arts

Ring in the holiday season (literally!) at The Washington Chorus' "A Candlelight Christmas!" Featuring spirited brass, a festive chorus, and extra special guests to help you celebrate the season, this concert is among the DC region's most beloved holiday traditions—so don't miss this heartwarming seasonal delight!

The Washington Chorus: a Candlelight Christmas

Noseda brings our celebration to an epic close with George Walker’s exhilarating Sinfonia No. 3 and Beethoven’s Ninth, the symphony by which all others are measured. The cosmic drama of this masterwork—its grand, emotional melodies and tremendous final “Ode to Joy”—reminds us why Beethoven’s final symphony resounds as loudly today as it did two centuries ago.

Beethoven & American Masters: George Walker & Beethoven’s Ninth Symphony

Groton Hill Music Center

The Washington Chorus and National Philharmonic join forces once again to bring American voices and struggles to life on stage in “Stand the Storm.” On this program, composers Nkeiru Okoye, Leonard Bernstein, John Legend, Common, and Rollo Dilworth demonstrate their own method for both standing through adversity and enacting the change necessary to build and sustain communities that are fair and just for all. Featuring the world premiere of the brand-new symphonic orchestration for Dilworth’s Weather: Stand the Storm, as well as the beloved arrangement of “Glory” by TWC’s own Eugene Rogers, join us as we examine our nation's disparities and find strength and unity through this powerful performance.

Stand the Storm

“From the heart, may it again go to the heart,” an inspired Beethoven wrote above the opening “Kyrie” in the manuscript of his greatest choral work, the Missa Solemnis. The Washington Chorus and remarkable guest soloists Erika Grimaldi, Rihab Chaieb, Saimir Pirgu, and Marko Mimica join the NSO for this infrequently performed epic mass—a vast symphonic statement of mysticism,  drama, and sacred intimacy.

Gianandrea Noseda conducts Beethoven’s Missa Solemnis

Noseda conducts Beethoven’s Missa Solemnis

You don’t need sets or costumes (or even live elephants!) to appreciate the magnitude and wonder of Aida, Verdi’s tumultuous tale of love and loyalty set in Ancient Egypt. All you need is a prima donna as spectacular as soprano Angel Blue, whose “voice perforated the hearts of her listeners and miraculously captured the tortured oscillations of Aida’s existence perfectly” (OperaWire), reported after a concert production led by BSO Music Director Jonathon Heyward with the Detroit Opera. This concert adaptation allows the beauty and drama of the original opera to soar on the symphonic stage.

Jonathon Heyward conducts VERDI’s Aida

Joseph Meyerhoff Symphony Hall

Verdi’s Aida Conducted by Heyward

### Event Description: BSO: Heyward Conducts Verdi’s Aida

**Event Title:** BSO: Heyward Conducts Verdi’s Aida

**Date and Time:** Saturday, June 15, 2025, at 3:00 PM

**Location:** The Music Center at Strathmore

**Event Overview:**
Experience the grandeur and emotional depth of Verdi’s "Aida" as conducted by Jonathon Heyward with the Baltimore Symphony Orchestra. This concert adaptation of the classic opera brings the timeless tale of love and loyalty set in Ancient Egypt to the symphonic stage, allowing the music and drama to shine without the need for elaborate sets or costumes.

**Featured Performers:**
- **Jonathon Heyward:** Conductor
- **Angel Blue:** Aida
- **Melody Moore:** Amneris
- **Limmie Pulliam:** Radamès
- **Reginald Smith, Jr.:** Amonasro
- **Mark S. Doss:** Ramfis
- **The Washington Chorus**

**Highlights:**
- Soprano Angel Blue, renowned for her captivating voice, will perform the role of Aida, bringing the character's emotional turmoil to life.
- The concert production has been praised for its ability to convey the opera's beauty and drama, as noted by OperaWire after a previous performance with the Detroit Opera.

**Additional Information:**
- This event is presented by the Baltimore Symphony Orchestra and not by Strathmore.
- Strathmore is Global Biorisk Advisory Council STAR accredited, ensuring a safe and secure environment for all attendees.

**Tickets:**
- Tickets can be purchased on the BSO website.

**Plan Your Visit:**
- For more information on planning your visit, including directions, parking, and dining options, please refer to the Strathmore website.

Join us for an unforgettable afternoon of music and storytelling as the Baltimore Symphony Orchestra brings Verdi’s "Aida" to life under the masterful direction of Jonathon Heyward.

The Washington Chorus

Mar 15, 2025

Stand the Storm

Mar 15, 2025

Stand the Storm

15 - 17 May, 2025

Gianandrea Noseda conducts Beethoven’s Missa Solemnis

15 - 17 May, 2025

Noseda conducts Beethoven’s Missa Solemnis

13 - 15 Jun, 2025

Jonathon Heyward conducts VERDI’s Aida

14 - 22 Dec, 2024

A Candlelight Christmas

Sep 14, 2024

American Masters: Eugene Rogers conducts Carlos Simon/Dan Harder, Aaron Copland & Jessie Montgomery

Articles & News

The Washington Chorus