August 21, 2025

[Vancouver, WA. August 21, 2025] – Following the triumphant performances at the Vancouver USA Arts & Music Festival, which had an estimated record attendance of over 21,000 people, the Vancouver Symphony Orchestra USA kicks off the 2025/26 season on September 27 at 7 pm and September 28 at 3 pm at Skyview Concert Hall. The Portland Symphonic Choir, currently in its 80th season, will join the Vancouver Symphony Orchestra for this weekend of performances. VSO’s Music Director and Conductor, Salvador Brotons, will return to the podium for his 35th season to lead the orchestra in a collection of intermezzi from Mascagni, one of the best-known Italian operatic composers, and Orff’s timeless masterwork Carmina Burana. The first half will close with Inno al sole from Iris, a cheerful choral work featuring the Portland Symphonic Choir. Following intermission, soprano Abigail Krawson, tenor Sam Faustine and baritone Zachary Lenox will join the orchestra and chorus to perform Orff’s Carmina Burana. Both performances will be available as a simultaneous live stream at vancouversymphony.org.

The program opens with five dramatic orchestral interludes from operas by Pietro Mascagni, including Cavalleria Rusticana, L’amico Fritz, Guglielmo Ratcliff, Isabeau, and Iris. Composed between 1889 and 1911, these operas tell a variety of stories with central themes of revenge, love, death, and freedom. During the glorious Inno al sole (Hymn to the Sun) from Iris, the chorus personifies the rising sun in an otherwise tumultuous story. The opening, quiet passage builds to luminous and joyful music for the full orchestra as the chorus exclaims the final words, Calore, Luce, Amor!, Amor! (Warmth, Light, Love!, Love!).

In the second half of the program, the Vancouver Symphony Orchestra and the Portland Symphonic Choir will perform Carl Orff’s most famous masterwork, Carmina Burana. The Carmina Burana is a collection of 13th-century poems that were originally compiled in Benediktbeuern, Germany, and served as the source of lyrics for this work. Combined with simple yet colorful harmonies, Orff’s musical style echoes that of Stravinsky. Listeners note his preference for dramatic percussive effects that accompany accents within the text, creating a new setting for these 700-year-old lyrics.

The 2025/26 Symphonic Series season is presented by United Grain Corporation.

What: Carmina Burana
When: Saturday, September 27, 2025 at 7:00 pm, Sunday, September 28, 2025 at 3:00 pm
Where: Skyview Concert Hall, 1300 NW 139th St, Vancouver, WA 98685
Tickets: Individual tickets available starting September 2, 2025 at 10:00 am at vancouversymphony.org

Individual tickets will be on sale starting September 2, 2025 at 10:00 am at vancouversymphony.org or by calling (360)735-7278. Virtual-only tickets will also be available, and all in-person ticket holders will have the option of viewing virtually.

The Saturday performance at Skyview Concert Hall will begin at 7:00 pm. The celebrated VSO pre-concert show, hosted by Maestro Salvador Brotons, will be available for concertgoers to attend before the performance from 6:00 pm to 6:30 pm. The virtual live stream programming begins at 6:30 pm on Saturday to air Da Capo, a pre-recorded educational discussion of the composers and pieces being performed. The Sunday performance will begin at 3:00 pm, with the pre-concert show available to attend in-person from 2:00 pm to 2:30 pm. The virtual live stream programming begins at 2:30 pm on Sunday.

All ticket holders will receive a secure email link to access the live stream performances.

Our tech support team will be on standby to assist you if you have any issues logging in during the performances.

About the Portland Symphonic Choir
Established in 1945, the Portland Symphonic Choir has carried out this mission for almost eight decades: “To sing choral masterworks with excellence and passion and to engage, educate, and inspire its members and the community.” With a notable reputation and long-standing commitment to the Pacific Northwest, our 100-person chorus includes musicians, students, retirees, and an assortment of working professionals. A central figure in the legacy of choral music in Portland, the Choir achieves excellence in musicianship, celebrates community through music, builds a sustainable musical legacy, and curates an inclusive musical space. Under the direction of Artistic Director Dr. Alissa Deeter since 2019, the Portland Symphonic Choir continues a reputation of excellence and dedication by creating powerful and accessible choral experiences for all music enthusiasts. Dr. Deeter has prepared the chorus for concerts and major works with ensembles including Vancouver Symphony Orchestra, the Oregon Festival Orchestra, and in concert with Andrea Bocelli. Additionally, the Portland Symphonic Choir has a long history of commissioning and premiering new works. One way the Choir highlights new choral music is with our Summer Sings New Works series and recording project.

About Salvador Brotons
Maestro Salvador Brotons returns for his 35th season as Music Director and Conductor of the VSO. In addition to the VSO, he has been the Music Director and Conductor of the Orquestra Simfònica de les Illes Balears “Ciutat de Palma” (1997-2001, 2009-2013) and the Orquestra Sinfónica del Vallés (1997-2002). He is presently the Conductor of the Barcelona Symphonic Band. In 2005, he received the Arts Council award from Clark County and the City of Vancouver as well as the Kiwanis Rose Award. He has guest conducted orchestras in countries such as the U.S., Israel, France, Germany, China, Poland, South Korea, Mexico, Uruguay, and Colombia.

About the Vancouver Symphony Orchestra USA
The VSO, now in its 47th season, enriches lives in the Pacific Northwest and beyond through world-class symphonic concerts, other musical performances, and engaging educational programming. For more information, please visit vancouversymphony.org.

About our Sponsors
The VSO is generously supported by individual donors, The M. J. Murdock Charitable Trust, Realvest Foundation, Keller Foundation, Oregon Public Broadcasting, The AC Hotel Marriott, United Grain Corporation, Columbia Credit Union, All Classical Radio, Gravitate, Dick Hannah Dealerships, The Columbian, Michelle’s Piano Co., Pacific Office Automation, Salsbury & Co., Steinway & Sons Portland, The VIC, Kiggins Theatre, Opsahl Dawson, and Willful Wine Company.

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Media contact:
Allison Van Etten
Vice President
[email protected]
8VA Music Consultancy
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