The Dubuque Symphony Orchestra’s (DSO’s) 64th season explores music’s connection to the natural world. “Over the centuries, many musicians and composers have been inspired by nature, birds and animals,” shares Music Director and Conductor William Intriligator. “Our upcoming season will explore some of these musical selections, and I hope they will inspire us to appreciate the blessings and beauty of the natural world we are a part of.
“Some musical selections are pieces I have wanted to perform in Dubuque for many years, such as Carnival of the Animals, and the Crouching Tiger cello concerto from the film Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon. I am also excited to feature the world premiere of a new double violin concerto by Madison-based composer Laura Schwendinger entitled Duet of the Nightingales, written for DSO Concertmaster Eleanor Bartsch.
“We also highlight symphonic masterpieces by Bizet, Brahms, Mozart, and Tchaikovsky. It’s shaping up to be one of our best seasons yet, I hope you’ll join us!”
The ensemble will perform five Classics concerts, a spring family concert and signature Holiday concerts at historic Five Flags Theater. The orchestra also returns to the Mississippi Moon Bar at the Diamond Jo for DSO’s Ultimate Rock Hits and Ultimate Country Hits. Visit DubuqueSymphony.org for full concert information.
Season ticket sales open to the public Monday, June 27, 2022. Subscribe early for the best seats. Packages of 3, 4 or 5 Classics concerts are available. Season ticket holders receive exclusive benefits including early access to tickets for Ultimate Rock, Country Hits, Holiday and Family Concerts.
Subscribers also receive personal attention, avoiding box office lines and added online Ticketmaster fees. All subscription needs are handled through the DSO office. New subscribers (or those who haven’t subscribed for the past 3 years) save 30% off single ticket pricing with the Full 5 package. To order, please call 563-557-1677 or stop in the DSO office, 2728 Asbury Road (lower level of the Atrium building in Fountain Park), open Mon-Thurs 10am-4pm.
2022-2023 Classics Series
Classics 1 - SEASON OPENER: The Nightingale
Five Flags Theater
Saturday, October 1 at 7:30pm | Sunday, October 2 at 2:00pm
Johann S. Bach Concerto for Two Violins in D minor, Eleanor Bartsch & Ariana Kim, solo violins
Laura Schwendinger Duet of the Nightingales, Eleanor Bartsch & Ariana Kim, solo violins
Johannes Brahms Symphony No. 2 in D Major
The DSO’s celebration of birds, animals, and nature begins with the world premiere of Duet of the Nightingales, written by Wisconsin composer Laura Schwendinger especially for DSO Concertmaster Eleanor Bartsch. Joining Eleanor as duo soloists will be her longtime friend Ariana Kim. These two violin virtuosos will also begin our season with one of Bach’s most beloved works, his Concerto for Two Violins. The program concludes with Brahms’ most “outdoors-y” and pastorale symphony, his Second Symphony. Filled with beauty, nostalgia, and power, this work also celebrates the return of the full sound of the DSO.
Classics 2 – Crouching Tiger
Five Flags Theater
Saturday, November 5 at 7:30pm | Sunday, November 6 at 2:00pm
Ralph Vaughan Williams The Wasps Overture
Tan Dun Crouching Tiger Concerto for cello & chamber orchestra, Philip Bergman, solo cello
Coleridge-Taylor Perkinson Sinfonietta No. 1
Wolfgang A. Mozart Symphony No. 35 in D “Haffner”
DSO Principal Cello Philip Bergman is featured as soloist in the beautiful Crouching Tiger Cello Concerto from the film Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon. Composed by celebrated Chinese-American composer Tan Dun, this piece will transport you to another place and time. Those pesky wasps are given a musical tribute in the delightful overture by English composer Vaughan Williams. American composer Perkinson’s lively and lush string sinfonietta and Mozart’s particularly spirited and exuberant Haffner Symphony round out the program.
Classics 3 – Birds Fly, We Dance
Five Flags Theater
Saturday, February 4 at 7:30pm | Sunday, February 5 at 2:00pm
Zequinha de Abreu Tico Tico No Fubá (Sparrow in the Cornmeal)
Astor Piazzolla Sinfonía Buenos Aires
Gabriela Lena Frank Elegía Andina
Jose Pablo Moncayo Huapango
Arturo Márquez Danzón No. 2, Dubuque Symphony Youth Orchestra Side-by-Side
Hablamos español! This program will thrill you with the rhythms and sounds of Latin-America! This program covers a wide range of styles including music by Brazilian, Argentinian, Mexican, and American composers. The moving elegy by American composer Gabriela Lena Frank reflects her Peruvian ancestry with stylistic elements of Peruvian panpipes. The Sinfonía Buenos Aires by Piazzolla includes two bandoneóns, a type of accordion, for that characteristic Argentinian sound. The Dubuque Symphony Youth Orchestra adds a touch of “wild youth” as they join the DSO for the finale, the much loved Danzón No. 2 by Mexican composer Arturo Márquez.
Classics 4 – Carnival of the Animals
Five Flags Theater
Saturday, March 4 at 7:30pm | Sunday, March 5 at 2:00pm
Georges Bizet Symphony in C Major
Camille Saint-Saëns/Coley Carnival of the Animals, Heartland Marimba Quartet (soloists & narrators)
Kevin Romanski Concerto for Marimba Quartet and Orchestra (world premiere), Heartland Marimba Quartet
The DSO welcomes back the Heartland Marimba Quartet—by popular demand after their debut with the DSO in 2021—to create that mesmerizing sight and sound of four marimbas with orchestra! This time they perform the world premiere of a gorgeous piece by American composer Kevin Romanski as well as an old favorite to celebrate a wide range of wildlife: Saint-Saëns’ Carnival of the Animals. Bizet’s youthful, energetic, and very lyrical Symphony in C opens the program.
Classics 5 – SEASON FINALE: Human Nature
Five Flags Theater
Saturday, April 1 at 7:30pm | Sunday, April 2 at 2:00pm
Valerie Coleman Seven O’Clock Shout
Sergei Rachmaninoff Piano Concerto No. 2, Ilya Yakushev, piano
Piotr Tchaikovsky Symphony No. 4
DSO’s Classics Series finale begins with American composer Valerie Coleman’s shout out to essential workers who helped us all get through the pandemic. This piece is stunning, powerful, and fun all at the same time—and really shows the wild side of the DSO musicians. The orchestra rounds out the Classics Series with two favorites: Rachmaninoff’s dazzling and beautiful Second Piano Concerto and Tchaikovsky’s intense Fourth Symphony. Charismatic virtuoso pianist Ilya Yakushev makes his long awaited return to the DSO!
In addition to the Classics Series, the symphony also announces the dates of its Casual Concerts: Holiday Family (December 3, 2022), traditional Holiday Concerts (December 3-4, 2022), Ultimate Rock Hits (January 13-14, 2023), Spring Family (March 4, 2023), Ultimate Country Hits (May 19-20, 2023) and free Summer Melodies Concert (June 25, 2023).
Single Tickets
Single tickets to concerts at Five Flags Theater go on sale August 15, 2022 and may be purchased at Five Flags Box Office or through Ticketmaster. Single tickets to Ultimate Rock or Ultimate Country at the Mississippi Moon Bar will be available through the Diamond Jo box office this fall/winter.
