The Virginia Opera’s 2011-2012 season opens with the grandest of all grand operas, “Aida.” This will be the first production of the Verdi masterpiece by the company. The story centers on a love triangle, set against the splendor and pageantry of ancient Egypt. Virginia Opera’s Community Outreach Musical Director, Dr. Glenn Winters, tells the story and present musical excerpts in this preview.

On Sat,urday, the Virginia Opera presents its 3rd annual "Opera in the Park," a fun-filled and music-filled family festival. Dwight Davis spoke with Virginia Opera’s Producing Director John Kennelly about the event.

The Virginia Arts Festival concludes its 15th season with a concert by the world-renowned MorMon, Tabernacle Choir, their first in Virginia in 50 years. Dwight Davis spoke with the Choir’s General Manager, Scott Barrick, about the group and their music.

Virginia has a new opera company, designed to bring opera and music drama to audience in the 21st century. LOV has announced its 2011 – 2012 season of three productions, to be presented in Virginia Beach and Newport News. Dwight Davis spoke with Maestro Peter Mark about Lyric Opera Virginia.

In its 15th season, the Virginia Arts Festival welcomes the acclaimed Kalichstein-Laredo-Robinson Trio back to Hampton Roads. Their concert will offer music of Beethoven, Tchaikovsky and Richard Danielpour. The Danielpour piece, titled "Inventions on a Marriage," receives its world premiere at the American Theatre concert. It was written especially for two members of the KLR Trio, cellist Sharon Robinson and violinist Jaime Laredo. Dwight Davis spoke with Mr. Danielpour about the work.

The Virginia Arts Festival presented a new program in its 15th anniversary year – the Flying Proms. This symphonic air show offered vintage aircraft flying to live music performed by the Virginia Symphony. WHRO-FM’s Jonathan Lichtenstein served as co-host and worked to co-ordinate the music with the flights. He spoke with Virginia Symphony Associate Conductor Benjamin Rous about the musical selections for the concert.

The Virginia Arts festival opens its 15th season with an exciting world premiere. To commemorate the 150th anniversary of the beginning of the Civil War, the Festival co-commissioned a new music theater piece titled "Rappahannock County." Renowned composer Ricky Ian Gordon set words by lyricist Mark Campbell in the form of 20 stories of the lives of Virginians at war, vignettes that are by turns poignant, powerful, humorous and ultimately very human. WHRO-FM’s Dwight Davis spoke Ricky Ian Gordon about "Rappahannock County."

This season, Joann Falletta celebrates her 20th season as Conductor and Music Director of the Virginia Symphony. In this special program, she talks about making music with the orchestra over the last twenty years.

The final production of the season for Virginia Opera is the beloved “Madama Butterfly” by Puccini. Dr. Glenn Winters, Community Outreach Musical Director for Virginia Opera, offers his unique insight into this perennial favorite, with musical examples and commentary.

The Virginia Chorale next concert if a program of English liturgical music written for performance in the great cathedrals of England. Dwight Davis spoke with the Chorale’s Director, Scott Williamson, about the concert.