The 2021–2022 Season CLASSICAL SERIES Opening Night: Russian Masters Knight Theater October 15–17, 2021 Christopher Warren-Green, conductor Paul Huang, violin GLINKA Ruslan & Ludmila Overture TCHAIKOVSKY Violin Concerto SHOSTAKOVICH Symphony No. 9 Brahms Symphony No. 3 Knight Theater October 29–30, 2021 Roderick Cox, conductor Benjamin Beilman, violin BRAHMS Symphony No. 3 COLERIDGE-TAYLOR Violin Concerto KODÁLY Dances of Galánta Beethoven Symphony No. 4 Knight Theater November 19–20, 2021 Christopher Warren-Green, conductor Taylor Marino, clarinet PROKOFIEV Classical Symphony MOZART Clarinet Concerto BEETHOVEN Symphony No. 4 Handel’s Messiah Knight Theater December 3–5, 2021 Ian Watson, conductor Charlotte Master Chorale HANDEL Messiah Mahler’s Ninth Symphony Belk Theater January 14–15, 2022 Christopher Warren-Green, conductor MAHLER Symphony No. 9 Ravel Piano Concerto Knight Theater January 28–29, 2022 Jessica Cottis, conductor Stewart Goodyear, piano Lindsay Kesselman, soprano Jessie MONTGOMERY Strum RAVEL Piano Concerto in G major STRAVINSKY Circus Polka WEILL The Seven Deadly Sins Tchaikovsky’s Pathétique Belk Theater February 11–12, 2022 Kensho Watanabe, conductor TBA, piano Anna CLYNE Within Her Arms C. SCHUMANN Piano Concerto TCHAIKOVSKY Symphony No. 6 “Pathétique” Kabalevsky Cello Concerto No. 1 Belk Theater February 25–26, 2022 Paolo Bortolameolli, conductor 2 Christine Lamprea, cello Gabriela ORTIZ Téenek – Invenciones de Territorio KABALEVSKY Cello Concerto No. 1 John CORIGLIANO Symphony No. 1 90th Anniversary Celebration! Vaughn Williams Dona Nobis Pacem Belk Theater March 11–12, 2022 Christopher Warren-Green, conductor Sharleen Joynt, soprano Daniel Okulitch, bass-baritone Charlotte Master Chorale HOLST Walt Whitman Overture ARNOLD Four Scottish Dances VAUGHAN WILLIAMS Fantasia on a Theme by Thomas Tallis VAUGHAN WILLIAMS Dona Nobis Pacem Barber Violin Concerto Knight Theater March 25–26, 2022 Kwamé Ryan, conductor Jinjoo Cho, violin Errollyn WALLEN Mighty River BARBER Violin Concerto FRANCK Symphony in D minor Sibelius Symphony No. 2 Knight Theater April 22–23, 2022 Karen Kamensek, conductor Calin Ovidiu Lupanu, violin Victoria BORISOVA-OLLAS Angelus SHOSTAKOVICH Violin Concerto No. 1 SIBELIUS Symphony No. 2 3 Beethoven’s Ninth Symphony Belk Theater May 20–22, 2022 Christopher Warren-Green, conductor Charlotte Master Chorale BEETHOVEN Symphony No. 9, “Choral” POPS SERIES Kings of Soul Knight Theater November 12–13, 2021 Kings of Soul showcases the music of legendary artists Marvin Gaye, Jackie Wilson, James Brown, Otis Redding, The Temptations, Al Green, Barry White, Smokey Robinson, and Curtis Mayfield in an evening of soulful rhythms and melodies. Magic of Christmas with Tony DeSare Knight Theater December 10–11, 2021 Delight in the wonder of the holiday season at the annual Magic of Christmas with sing-alongs, falling snow, and so much more! NEW this year, we welcome vocalist and entertainer Tony DeSare back to Charlotte to help us spread holiday cheer. Spaced Out: Sci-Fi Movie Music Knight Theater January 21–22, 2022 Our favorite sci-fi films would be unimaginable without music. From Star Wars to Star Trek and Close Encounters of the Third Kind, relive unforgettable moments in movie history through the iconic scores with your CSO. Broadway’s Longest: Phantom, Chicago, Cats & More Knight Theater May 13–14, 2022 Phantom, Les Misérables, and Chicago are some of Broadway’s most enduring and best-loved musicals. We celebrate the great music from these shows, plus hits from A Chorus Line, Wicked, and The Lion King. 4 MOVIE SERIES The Nightmare Before Christmas in Concert Belk Theater October 22–23, 2021 What’s this, what’s this?! It’s the wildly inventive world of Tim Burton’s macabre classic, The Nightmare Before Christmas™, shown in its’ entirety on a large screen at Belk Theater. Home Alone in CONCERT Belk Theater November 26–27, 2021 Back by popular demand! Your family will delight in John Williams’s beloved score performed live while the heartwarming holiday classic is projected on a screen above the orchestra. Star Wars: The Empire Strikes Back in Concert in Concert Belk Theater March 18–19, 2022 The thrilling Star Wars saga continues at Belk Theater with The Empire Strikes Back. While the Empire regroups, Darth Vader leads the hunt for Luke Skywalker. Jurassic Park in Concert Ovens Auditorium June 24–25, 2022 With stunning imagery, ground-breaking special effects — and John Williams’s iconic score — Spielberg’s epic tale of man vs. nature is sheer movie magic 65 million years in the making. SPECIAL EVENTS Get Out in Concert Belk Theater September 30–October 1, 2021 Jordan Peele’s ingenious social thriller Get Out won the Oscar for Best Original Screenplay. Experience the suspenseful thrill ride LIVE with your CSO this fall as a part of SHOUT! Festival. 5 A Very Thorgy Christmas Knight Theater December 22, 2021 Thorgy Thor brings her charisma, uniqueness, nerve, and talent back to Charlotte this holiday season! Experience the world premiere of this holiday show in the Queen City, brought to you by the queen of Classical Music. Cirque De Noël Belk Theater December 29-30, 2021 The circus meets the symphony! Back with a fresh show filled with awe-inspiring acrobatics and musical holiday favorites, this event will fill your family with the wonder of the season. New Year’s Eve with Melinda Doolittle Belk Theater December 31, 2021 Ring in the New Year with an unforgettable evening of music featuring American Idol finalist and soul-stirring songstress Melinda Doolittle. Your ticket includes a post-concert party with champagne, dancing, and a countdown to midnight! Morehouse Glee Club Belk Theater March 4, 2022 Resident Conductor Christopher James Lees and Morehouse College Glee Club director Dr. David Morrow join together to lead a program of spirituals, modern choral works, and classical pieces. Back by popular demand, this performance benefits scholarships for Charlotte area students attending Morehouse College. The Music of the Eagles Belk Theater March 5, 2022 Join the CSO down a dark desert highway, feel the cool wind in your hair, and experience the Eagles’ timeless hits, including Grammy-winners like “Take it Easy,” “Heartache Tonight,” and “Hotel California.” 6 Beethoven Meets 90s Vibe Knight Theater April 1, 2022 Experience the duality of Atlanta's Orchestra Noir as they join your Charlotte Symphony for an evening of '90s vibes. Led by conductor Jason Ikeem Rodgers, enjoy a program of music featuring R&B and hip hop icons like TLC, Usher, Brandy, LL Cool J, Biggie Smalls, and Ginuwine, spliced with a bit of Beethoven. Plus, witness an epic play-off battle between the orchestras and DJ as the evening winds down with one bombastic finale. FAMILY SERIES Peter and the Wolf Knight Theater November 13, 2021 Based on the classic Russian folk tale, Peter and the Wolf tells the story of a young boy’s adventures with his animal friends, while introducing children to the instruments of the orchestra. Magic of Christmas Knight Theater December 11, 2021 Delight in the wonder of the holiday season at the annual Magic of Christmas with sing-alongs, falling snow, and so much more! Harry Potter Children’s Suite for Orchestra Knight Theater January 22, 2022 Little ones learn about the different sections of the orchestra from The Boy Who Lived! Featuring music from John Williams’s epic score. The Story of Babar Knight Theater May 14, 2022 Everybody’s very favorite little elephant comes to life in The Story of Babar. This popular children’s story is eloquently set to music by Francis Poulenc. ALL PROGRAMS SUBJECT TO CHANGE 7 .