For its final production of the season, Virginia Opera turns to the rollicking Gilbert and Sullivan operetta “The Mikado.” On just about anyone’s little list of lighthearted musical favorites, this work stands near the top. Virginia Opera’s Community Outreach Musical Director, Dr. Glenn Winters, gives us many reasons why this is so.

Joann Falletta and the Virginia Symphony presented a rich, romantic program for their April Classics concerts. A powerful performance of the Prokofiev Fifth Symphony was complemented by the Grieg Piano Concerto with an exciting new young talent – Natasha Paremski – as soloist. M.D. Ridge reports.

The historic Wells Theater welcomed an American classic back to its stage – ArThu,r Miller’s “Death of a Salesman.” The production captured the dreams and disillusions that have made this play relevant for half a century, according to our critic, M.D. Ridge.

Music is as much a part of Valentine’s Day as are flowers and candy. The Virginia Chorale proved that premise once again with a well-Sun,g program of romantic choruses, both familiar and unfamiliar. Our critic, M.D. Ridge, was at the concert and offers these comments.

The Virginia Symphony, led by Assistant Conductor Benjamin Rouse, brightened the short, dark days of February with an concert of classical and romantic fare featuring one of their own, Principal Second Violinist SiMon, Lapointe. M.D. Ridge has this review.

The St. Olaf Choir, from Northfield Minnesota, is the pioneer a cappella choir in the United States. For nearly a century, the choir has set a standard of choral excellence and remained at the forefront of choral artistry. Their performance at the Ferguson Center in Newport News was everything a lover of choral music could have asked for, according to our critic, M.D. Ridge.

The three virtuoso Russian musicians known as Trio Voronesz have been enchanting audiences for several years with engaging concerts of music ranging from tradition Russian folksongs to tangos and rags. Their appearance at the American Theater left the audience, including our critic, M.D. Ridge, on the feet and smiling broadly.

Virginia opera moved boldly into contemporary opera with its production of “Orphee” by Philip Glass. The imaginative staging and fine singing told the ancient story using a 20th century libretto set to appropriately dramatic and passionate music by one of this country’s most important composers.

Virginia Stage Company’s production of “Black Pearl Sings” is replete with old spirituals and folk songs, beautifully performed within the context of a story of relationships and freedom.

For it second production of its inaugural season, Lyric Opera Virginia presented Rodgers and Hammerstein’s classic musical “The King and I.” Dwight Davis spoke with the directors and lead singers of the show.