Arts Conversations

Dwight Davis talks with Eric Jacobsen about the "Celebration of Water" concert

Renowned Broadway conductor Rob Fisher, who’s a longtime collaborator with the Virginia Arts Festival, was recently appointed its Goode Family Artistic Advisor for Broadway and American Songbook. For the Festival’s 25th Anniversary Season, he’s conducting the Virginia Symphony Orchestra for The Sound of Music, and serving as Music Director for a concert with Renee Fleming and Kristin Chenoweth. Rebecca Weinstein spoke with Rob recently about these upcoming performances and the relevance of classic Broadway musicals.

Raymond Jones speaks with Scott Jackson, Director of the Virginia International Tattoo, about the Tattoo's upcoming 25th anniversary performances, which feature a triumphant return to Scope Arena, an all-new international cast, a musical tribute to “March King” John Philip Sousa, and an emotional celebration of the resilience of the human spirit.

Raymond Jones speaks with Virginia Arts Festival's Director of Chamber Music, Olga Kern, about this season’s upcoming concerts

On Sunday, April 10 at 4 PM, the Virginia Chorale presents "A Decade of Song," celebrating Chuck Woodward’s 10th anniversary as Artistic Director. Rebecca Weinstein spoke with him about what to expect.

Wayla speaks with Ormsby Wilkins, Music Director for American Ballet Theatre, about the company's upcoming performances at the Virginia Arts Festival, the relationship between music and dance, and how it felt to come back to performing after the hiatus caused by the pandemic.

On Saturday, December 4, Virginia Arts Festival presents a holiday spectacular featuring sisters Nadia and Christine DiGiallonardo with the Festival Five led by Rob Fisher. Rebecca Weinstein spoke with Nadia and Christine about their musical upbringing and longtime collaboration with Fisher.

Rebecca Weinstein spoke with Norman Elton, who runs the Open Door Concert Series in Williamsburg, about what their journey has been like so far and what their plans are for the future.

As the arts remerge in person this fall, the Virginia Museum of Contemporary Art in Virginia Beach offers a chance to peek inside the minds of talented young women through an exhibition called “Emergence,” running through November 28. Rebecca Weinstein spoke with Virginia MOCA's Curator of Education, Truly Matthews, about the project.

Opera in Williamsburg presents Donizetti's L'elisir d'amore (The Elixir of Love) September 10 and 12. Rebecca Weinstein spoke with conductor Jorge Parodi and stage director Benjamin Spierman.