Richmond Symphony

Last night’s concert (October 11, 2025), "A Night in Vienna," invigorated, delighted, educated, and charmed the audience from a little girl dressed as a butterfly to an older woman relying on her son to rise from her seat. The cultural richness of the Habsburg Empire with its multilingual and multinational patchwork proves how cross-pollination (military marches, Hungarian folk dances, gypsy and Turkish music) deepens the creative output of musical masters and geniuses like Mozart, Schubert, Beethoven, Brahms, and Strauss, Jr. The Habsburgs encouraged and nourished a vibrant exchange, and in exchange, Vienna thrived. As someone who visited Vienna as a teen and later as an adult, I relived my memories while indulging a fantasy: dancing the waltz at the Vienna Opera Ball. That shall never be. But as my feet tapped the floor, my eyes followed Maestro Pellegi’s baton, and the orchestra sang like a bird, thundered like a storm, or danced like a couple in love, my dream came true, and I left the theatre grateful for our talented orchestra right here in RVA!

I attended an outdoor concert in the community with my dog, and we both had an amazing experience! The music was beautifully performed, the venue was nice and clean, and the community as a whole enjoyed every minute. The only thing I wish was different was the length, I could have listened to the Richmond Symphony play for hours and hours! Thank you for having outdoor concerts, and I’m looking forward to more events! I especially appreciate the free and widely accessible concerts, everyone can use some classical music in their life!

One of the best forms of entertainment in Richmond. Each time you go is different and magical. Sometimes they play in smaller sessions while others may have the full symphony, chorus and several times a year they parter with the Opera and ballet to make sure you are never left wanting. I have been an avid supporter of the Richmond Symphony since I first picked up an instrument in the 5th grade and I hope you take sometime to discover why it's such a special place in Richmond for yourself! Never underestimate the power of the arts for a community.

We just received advertisement for the Richmond Symphony 25/26 season and actually live within walking distance to where most performances are held. The price to attend is fine but we are on the fence as to whether or not we will go again. Unfortunately the symphony is too caught up in being hip, and inclusive, and their overall program suffers for it. Our last performance was Beethoven's 9th, my favorite. We usually opt for matinee performances, but could only make the evening event. The 8:00 p.m. start time is late, but we were willing to make a sacrifice to hear this piece. What was forced on us before Beethoven's masterpiece was a commissioned piece by an African-American composer, which dealt with the African diaspora. The two pieces had no similarities whatsoever and honestly the commission piece heavily borrowed from Aaron Copeland's Appalachian Spring. It was close to 9:30 by the time Beethoven's legendary classic was performed. By that time I was both tired and annoyed. Mind you, most of the attendees were white, retirement age, and, most likely well-off. Exactly that same demographic who both donate and subsidize this Symphony. If the Richmond Symphony wants to commission or host music to meet their DEI goals, I'm all for it. But why not host a separate performance devoted to that? Perhaps because not many people would attend?? Or alternatively, why not perform Beethoven's 9th that evening at the scheduled 8:00 p.m.? That way the people who wanted to stay for the later piece would be welcome to do so. I'm willing to bet that many, if not most people, would have bailed. My husband and I support all of the local theater companies on a regular basis, and I have supported live music for 40+ years. But we are also willing to travel in order to see the best performances, and do so numerous times each year.

Performance was great. Mic issues on the stage should be addressed by tech crew. Great venue and superb musicians and conductor and soloist and dancers! Theater was whimsical and repertoire very inspiring.

The concert was great. I highly recommend attending a concert.

Unfortunately, Adrian Pintea (the assistant Concertmaster of the orchestra, playing 1st Violin Concertmaster on April 22nd) wanted the audience to focus on him, rather than the beauty of the music. With every note that Adrian Pintea played, he proceeded to jerk back and forth in overly dramatic gyrations. During the crescendo, his forehead was practically hitting his knee. At one point, he almost fell out of his chair. It was embarrassing. Everyone in my group found it insufferable. Hopefully this unfortunate element of the Richmond Symphony will not last long. No performance is worth one penny when the audience is plagued with such distractions.