One-Hour Live Concerts in the Secret Garden

Opera | Choir | Jazz | Chamber Music | Early Music | Cabaret | Tango | Flamenco

2024 Season Concerts

Sunday, March 3rd, 2024 | 5pm SOLD OUT, 6:30pm seats remaining
Anna Dmytrenko – A Fundraiser for Ukraine

Anna Dmytrenko, piano

Join Ukrainian pianist Anna Dmytrenko for a concert at The Rectory on Princess Street. Anna will perform on a 1917 Steinway A3 piano. Proceeds of this concert will go to aid for those affected by the ongoing war in Ukraine.

“Virtuosic knockout!… A fine combination of keyboard mastery and elegant refinement.”

Lyn Bronson, Peninsula Reviews

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Thursday, March 21st, 2024 | 5pm, 6:30pm
Broadway’s Best

Susan Derry, Voice | Howard Breitbart, Piano

Dive into an evening of iconic musical theater melodies. DC’s own Susan Derry is known from iconic roles in shows like Into the Woods, The Music Man, Phantom of the Opera, and My Fair Lady. From heart-wrenching ballads to toe-tapping numbers, it’s a musical spectacle not to be missed. March has never sounded so mesmerizing; grab your ticket today.

“Soaring Soprano… Striking theatricality” – The New York Times

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Monday, March 21th, 2024 | 7:30pm
Portland Youth Philharmonic Centennial Season Tour: A Century of Musical Excellence and Innovation at the Strathmore

Classical Movements presents the Portland Youth Philharmonic at the Strathmore, a momentous celebration of 100 years devoted to youth, musical excellence, inspiration, and unwavering commitment to the arts! This is the oldest youth Orchestra in the country.

To honor this centennial celebration, the Portland Youth Philharmonic combines forces with the GRAMMY-nominated, Imani Winds, to perform Jeff Scott’s “Paradise Valley Serenade,” a brand-new work for wind quintet and orchestra recently premiered by the winds of the Detroit Symphony.
The collaboration between this exceptional youth orchestra and the dynamic ensemble Imani Winds, combined with the diverse and engaging program, ensures that this tour is an event not to be missed! Save the date.

Sunday, April 7th, 2024 | 5pm, 6:30pm
Spring Strings – Beethoven’s Archduke Trio

Angelia Cho, violin | Eugena Riley, cello | Efi Hackmey, piano

Piano, violin, and cello at the Rectory on Princess Street!

Join us in April for Beethoven’s Piano Trio in B-flat Major, Op. 97, often referred to as the “Archduke Trio” because Beethoven dedicated it to amateur pianist, patron, and composition student Archduke Rudolph of Austria. Known for it’s prominent piano part, this trio will shine on our new 1917 Steinway A3.

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Thursday, May 9th, 2024 | 5pm, 6:30pm
Saxophone Serenades in the Secret Garden

Leigh Pilzer | Saxophone

As May flowers bloom, our Secret Garden prepares for an evening of jazz magic. Saxophonist Leigh Pilzer takes center stage with a blend of ageless jazz melodies and captivating originals, performing selections from the Great American Songbook, jazz standards, and swinging tuneful originals. Listeners might recognize classics like “Sophisticated Lady” by Duke Ellington or “I Thought About You” by Jimmy Van Heusen, and will be thrilled to get to hear originals like “Anyone But You”, “Swinging at the Station”, and “East Coast Andy”. Experience this unique blend of jazz and nature.

“Leigh Pilzer is an astral being of a baritone saxophonist that comes only once in a generation, a talent so rare that even the sharp eye of a Hubble has to be quick off the mark… In the curious case of Leigh Pilzer genius shines with an electrifying flash.” – Raul da Gama, The Jazz World

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This series is presented with the generous support of:


Magnolia Sponsors

John H. Hart | John R. Plimpton | George & Patti White | Classical Movements | Mitchell Hertz & Anne Carlucci | Carolyn Fuller
Camellia Sponsors
Linda Bunce | Louise Meng | Norma Dugger | Neeta Helms & Johan van Zyl | Cheryl Amyx

Rose Sponsors

Karin & Keneth Gross | Gail Melick

Hydrangea Sponsors

Jurgen & Susan Gobien | Jan & Elizabeth Lodal | Ourisman Automotive | Admiral James G. & Cynthia Foggo | Joan A Dempsey Charitable Fund | Raymond Eresman & Diana Garcia | Mary Ellen Rottiers | Morris Deutsch | Kristi & Mike Waschull | Martha Fitzpatrick | Nancy Prosser & Tres Lorton

Peony Sponsors

Elicia Pierno | Steve Ramsey | Stephanie Kanwit | Joshua Garboczi | Elena Fletcher | James Kanski |   Kristin Rover | Susan McAnney | William & Margory Blumenthal | Frances Usher

Lilac Sponsors

Allister Nelson | Karin Scott | Anne Neal | Jacqueline Michel & David Weisman | Donald Borut

Clematis Sponsors

Suzanne Willett | Gloria Black | Robert Oppelt | Mary Page Hickey | Rena Kraut | Dan and Laura Rodin | Dennis Hensley | Scott and Nena Thayer | Virginia Banchoff | Josephine Liu | Leann Binford | Juliana Marin | Marla Bright | Russel Simonaro
For more details about sponsorship opportunities, please reach out to Jayci@ClassicalMovements.com

Transportation to the Rectory and Parking

Classical Movements will provide more information about alternative forms of transportation to access The Rectory on Princess Street, 711 Princess St by email before each event. You can also go to https://www.alexandriava.gov/GOAlex for more information about available options. We encourage all patrons to park off-street through the provision of nearby garages or lots. Many parking garages and lots are located conveniently in the area. There is a parking garage at N. Alfred St Garage, 117 N. Alfred St, $5/hr ($25 daily max, $10 evening max) and a surface parking lot at Cameron/St Asaph Lot, 517 Cameron St, $2.50/hour ($10 daily max, $5 evening/weekend max). Visitors are encouraged to bike, walk or take the Metrorail Yellow or Blue lines to the King Street Station and take the free King Street Trolley, or DASH or Metro buses. For DASH schedule information visit, www.dashbus.com. For Metrobus schedule information, visit www.wmata.com. Bicyclists may visit www.alexandriava.gov/GOAlex for the City’s Bikeways Map, which features the City’s best on-street and off-road bikeways, as well as locations of grouped bicycle parking.

We discourage you from using the on-street parking. To ensure legal parking, read all posted signs before parking.

Limited off-street private parking is available on a first-come-first-serve basis at the following locations:
Classical Movements, 711 Princess Street, Alexandria VA
Fitness Together Alexandria’s main entrance, at the 300 N Washington Street building
Seasons Culinary Services, 715 Princess Street, Alexandria, VA 22314

2023 – 2024 Season Concerts

Sunday, February 4th, 2024 | 5pm
Ayreheart – A Celtic Savory Soiree

Concert with multi-course Celtic cuisine and wine pairings.

Ronn McFarlane, lute | Will Morris, fretless bass, violin and colascione | Mattias Rucht, percussion | Heather Aubrey Lloyd, voice

The festivities begin with a black velvet sparkling cocktail before a feast of scadán (herring) with pickles, red onions and carrots served on potatoes and dill, followed by gearrthóg uaineola (lamb) with rosemary in plum sauce served with celtic dumplings. The third course is císte meala, a honey cake with fruit preserves. Each course is served with a wine pairing, and a tasting of Irish whiskey (or Irish cream) ends the night. Courses are complemented with enchanting Renaissance music from Ayreheart. Get lost in traditional Irish, English, Scottish, and Welsh songs, and listen to a modern renaissance master, Ronn McFarlane, breathe new life into the music with his own inspired compositions.

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Friday, September 8, 2023 | 5pm, 6:30pm
Tchaikovsky, Violin Concerto and Brahms, Sonata for Violin with David Kim!

Philadelphia Orchestra concertmaster, David Kim, violin | Jeffrey DeVault, piano

Embark on an extraordinary musical journey as we kick off our 2023-2024 concert series with the much-awaited return of David Kim! The illustrious Concertmaster of The Philadelphia Orchestra’s mesmerizing violin performances have dazzled audiences across continents, and his return promises an evening of sheer enchantment. Kim’s solo appearances with The Philadelphia Orchestra and orchestras worldwide have left audiences captivated – join us for a night that sets the stage for an unforgettable concert series!

This concert has been generously sponsored by Norma Dugger

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Thursday, September 21, 2023 | 5pm, 6:30pm
Insingizi – Voices of Southern Africa

INSINGIZI: Vusa Mkhaya Ndlovu | Blessings “Nqo” Nkomo | Roben Mlauzi

Witness the magic of Insingizi in concert – a trio from Bulawayo, Zimbabwe, renowned for their exceptional a cappella prowess and harmonious chants. With soul-stirring performances that address today’s struggles, their music resonates with honesty and vulnerability. Get ready for an exhilarating showcase of the traditional “gumboot dance,” a testament to the human spirit’s triumph over adversity. Immerse yourself in this one-of-a-kind experience, where cultural richness blends seamlessly with musical mastery.

Sunday, October 15, 2023 | 5pm, 6:30pm
Polished Brass

Musicians from the National Symphony Orchestra and the Washington National Opera/Kennedy Center Opera House Orchestra: William Gerlach, NSO Principal Trumpet | Michael Harper, NSO Assistant Principal Trumpet | James Nickel, NSO Horn | Casey Jones, NSO Acting Assistant Principal Trombone | Seth Cook, WNO/KCOHO Principal Tuba

Celebrate the Fall season with the vibrant sound of brass performed by Principal brass members of the National Symphony Orchestra and the Kennedy Center Opera House Orchestra.  Join us for this fresh and exciting concert. Hear works by living composers such as Jennifer Higdon, Lauren Bernofsky, and Anthony DiLorenzo, as well as by Morley Calvert and Victor Ewald – all composed specifically for the brass quintet!

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Thursday, November 9, 2023 | 5pm, 6:30pm
Flamenco Fiesta – A Night of Guitar and Dance

Michael “Miguelito” Perez, guitar | Ricardo Marlow, guitar and voice | Sara Jerez, dancer

Immerse yourself in the passionate rhythm and feel the fiery essence of Flamenco at our exhilarating concert! From the intricate melodies of vocals and captivating guitar duets to the electrifying synergy between the guitar and the dancer, the night will pulse with the heartbeat of solea, alegrias, and bulerias rhythms. Come and join us for an unforgettable evening of music and dance!

Sunday, January 14, 2024 | 5pm, 6:30pm
Celebrating 150 Years of Rachmaninoff

Dimitry Yudin, Piano | Maia Gonzalez, Soprano | Ben Strong, Bass-Baritone | Alisa Sadikov, Harp

Celebrate the 150th Anniversary of Sergei Rachmaninoff and inaugurate our new one-of-a-kind Steinway A3 piano at our January concert, an evening of enchanting music by some of the world’s most revered composers. This special event will feature the captivating works of Rachmaninoff, De Falla, and Glinka, performed by four of today’s most promising young musicians.

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2022 – 2023 Season Concerts

Friday, August 12, 2022 | 6pm, 7:30pm
Shakespeare in the Garden: “The summer’s flower is to the summer sweet”

Cole Manel, lute | Mara Yaffee, soprano | Sarah Shodja, recorder | Michael Crowley, Shakespearean Actor

Shakespeare’s works are bursting with picturesque descriptions of blooming gardens, birds, music, love and beautiful flowers. Immerse yourself into his words like never before – surrounded by our very own gorgeous garden! Music from the playwright’s time paired with captivating narrations from his sonnets, plays and poems will make you see the world around you with entirely different eyes.  Enjoy pieces by John Dowland, William Byrd, Robert Johnson, and more.

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Thursday, September 8, 2022 | 5pm, 6:30pm
Kennedy Center Opera House Quintet: “South Africa Send-Off Concert”

Adria Sternstein Foster, flute | Kayla Moffet, violin | Erika Gray, viola | Amy Frost Baumgarten, cello | Susan Robinson, harp

Experience this outstanding ensemble in the setting of an intimate garden concert, before they embark on their tour to South Africa! Their repertoire of Debussy, Piazzolla, Gershwin and more is sure to enchant you – and their audiences abroad!
This concert has been generously sponsored by George and Patti White 

Thursday, October 6, 2022 | 5pm, 6:30pm
It Takes Two (and a Trio) to Tango

New Trifilio Tango Trio: Emmanuel Trifilio, bandoneon | Julie Huang Tucker, piano | Zoë Jorgenson, double bass
Sean Ericson and Jackie Pham, tango dancers

Tango returns to the Secret Garden with beautiful movements of dancers accompanied by the captivating sound of the bandoneon, piano, and double bass, in a program featuring the entrancing music of Astor Piazzolla, the composer who brought tango to international attention, along with other celebrated tango composers and original music by Emmanuel Trifilio, the leading bandoneon musician in the Washington DC area. 

This concert has been generously sponsored by Norma Dugger

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Sunday, October 30, 2022 | 6:00pm
Classical Movements’ 30th Anniversary Gala

Celebrating 30 years of Moving the Music, Changing the World
International Artists | Dinner with Wine Pairings | Champagne Toast

Insingizi of Zimbabwe | Morgan State University Singers | Javier Arrey, baritone | Prague Summer Nights String Quartet  | Brass Fanfare

Join many of the wonderful friends we have made over these past 30 years for an evening to delight both the ears and palate.  The celebration begins with a reception followed by dinner with performances by an exciting array of international artists.

Gala Co-Chairs: Linda Bunce | Carolyn Fuller | Patti White
Anne Midgette, Master of Ceremonies

Sunday, November 13, 2022 | 5pm, 6:30pm
Bold as Brass: From Bach to Bernstein

Musicians from the National Symphony Orchestra and the Washington National Opera/Kennedy Center Opera House Orchestra
William Gerlach, NSO Principal Trumpet | Michael Harper, NSO Assistant Principal Trumpet | Robert Rearden, NSO Horn | Colin Wise, US Navy Band Principal Trombone | Seth Cook, WNO/KCOHO Principal Tuba

Celebrate the Fall season with the vibrant sound of brass! This program will include exciting works from Bach to Bernstein and works by Dukas, Cheetham, Maurer, and Ewald, and more will be performed by Principal brass members of the National Symphony Orchestra and the Kennedy Center Opera House Orchestra and the US Navy Band.

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Saturday, January 28, 2023 | 5pm (SOLD OUT), 7pm (Seats remain)
Northern Lights: A Scandinavian Savory Soiree
Edvard Grieg’s Peer Gynt, Sibelius, Elfrida Andrée

Concert with Sumptuous Multi-Course Scandinavian Cuisine and Wines
Marianna Prjevalskaya, piano | Elise Blake, violinist
The festivities begin with a Lingonberry sparkling cocktail reception before a dinner of three types of “Smørrebrød”, Baked Salmon with Swedish Hovmästarsås (dill sauce) served with potatoes au gratin and asparagus, ending with Rice pudding served with blueberry sauce “Risgrynsgrót ris, a la Malta” and a warm glass of Glögg.
Enjoy the fantastic music by Nordic composers such as Jean Sibelius, Edvard Grieg, and more as Marianna Prjevalskaya returns to the Rectory and will perform on our 1928 Grand Haines Piano alongside Elise Blake on violin, in our beautiful glass-enclosed atrium!.
Co-presented by Musical Movements for Change and Classical Movements

Saturday, February 25, 2023 | 5pm (sold out), 6:30pm (seats remain)
If I Loved You: Falling In & Out of Love
Gershwin, Porter, Kern, Sondheim, Richard Rodgers & more

Anna Bergman, soprano | Howard Breitbart, musical director & piano

Hailed by New York & London critics as “an artist at the top of her game” and “a soaring vocal talent,” acclaimed soprano, Anna Bergman, serenades you with her new show, an international musical journey of courtship, romance, heartbreak and love rekindled. With inspired arrangements by her musical director/pianist Howard Breitbart, Anna performs songs & arias by such songwriters as George & Ira Gershwin, Cole Porter, Jerome Kern, Stephen Sondheim, Edith Piaf, Leonard Bernstein, Richard Rodgers with Hammerstein & Hart, Franz Lehar & others.  This event takes place in our glass enclosed atrium.

“…a vocal citizen of the world who has triumphed in everything from Broadway tunes to opera arias and the sultry innuendoes of the cabaret chanteuse.” (The Washington Post)

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Friday, March 24, 2023 | 5pm, 6:30pm
American Roots: Bluegrass & Bourbon

Ken Kolodner, hammered dulcimer, hammered mbira & fiddle | Brad Kolodner, banjo,  gourd banjo & fiddle |  Alex Lacquement, bass

The father-son team Ken & Brad Kolodner crosses the boundaries of Old-Time, Bluegrass and American Roots music in a transfixing, elegant program played in sophisticated arrangements for banjo, hammered dulcimer and fiddle featuring distinctive songs, traditional pieces and original music.  

“…exceptionally talented musicians and they have created a tight, top-notch sound.” Bluegrass Today

“The Kolodners and their collaborators play with impeccable chops and with great feeling.” Bluegrass Unlimited

Join us between the two performances for a Bourbon Reception hosted by Musical Movements for Change

Sunday, April 30, 2023 | 4pm | Special Concert and Reception
A Benefit Concert for Ukraine: Mozart’s Clarinet Quintet & Ukrainian composers

Principal Musicians from the National Symphony:
Nurit Bar-Josef, violin concertmaster | Marissa Regni, principal second violin | Natasha Bogachek, violin | Daniel Foster, principal viola | Rebecca Epperson, viola | Loewi Lin, cello | Lin Ma, principal clarinet | Special Guest – Zino Bogachek, violin and composer from the Kennedy Center Opera House Orchestra  

The first half of the concert features Ukrainian composers with a world premier of a brand new piece by Zino Bogachek, Mortuis Praeterium Et Futurum followed by Mykola Lysenko’s Quartet in D. The second half features Mozart’s sublime clarinet quintet.

This concert is presented at Third Baptist Church just a two blocks from The Rectory.  If you donate $20 or more to Ukraine Relief, you are invited to join us for a reception and a meet-and-greet with the artists at the Secret Garden of The Rectory after the concert.

This concert has been generously sponsored by George and Patti White.

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Friday, May 12, 2023 | 5pm 6:30pm
Brahms, Beach, Schubert: Four Hands, one Piano
Brahms Hungarian Dances and Schubert Fantasy in F Minor

Vieness Piano Duo: Vijay Venkatesh, piano | Eva Schaumkell, piano
Hailed for “effortless technical command and authority with a sense of poetry”, award-winning pianist Vijay Venkatesh returns to the Secret Garden with Eva Schaumkell as they play together as the Vieness Piano Duo on one piano with a program of  Franz Schubert’s Fantasy in F Minor; Johannes Brahms’ Hungarian Dances; and Amy Beach’s Summer Dreams Op. 47.
“Vijay Venkatesh is blessed with it all: transcendent technique, unbridled passion, and irresistible charisma. He breathes with an oxygen of imagination.” (The Washington Post)
Eva Schaumkell is praised for her “astonishing combination of depth of expression and thrilling virtuosity” (Nassauische Neue Presse)
This concert has been generously sponsored by Norma Dugger

June 9, 2023 | 6pm | Opera in the Secret Garden
Alexandria Summer Nights: The Magic Flute

Musicians from the Alexandria Summer Nights Young Artists Music Program

IMPORTANT UPDATE: Due to the poor air quality in Alexandria the two performances originally scheduled for Thursday, June 8th and Friday, June 9th will be combined into one single performance on Friday, June 9th at 6:00 PM now at the George Washington Masonic Memorial.

Mozart’s masterpiece comes to the Secret Garden in an enchanting staging featuring a talented cast of young musicians. An audience favorite for 230 years, experience the delightful story of magic, adventure, and true love – and Mozart’s majestic, sparkling score – like never before. Performances include two in the Secret Garden and a third at Castleton. 

This concert is part of the Alexandria Summer Nights 2023, with is generously sponsored by John H. Hart

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Friday, July 21, 2023 | 5pm 6:30pm
Summertime: Jazz in July
Billie Holiday, Ella Fitzgerald, Sinatra & more

Sweet Something: Ariana Harbin, vocalist | Caleb Nei, pianist | Jeff Cuny, bassist | Aaron Ivey, drummer
Retro, smooth, and timeless. Vocalist and front-woman, Ariana Harbin leads jazz quartet Sweet Something in favorite jazz tunes from “Summertime” to “On the Sunny Side of the Street,” and in tribute to the indelible performances of Billie Holiday, Ella Fitzgerald, Frank Sinatra, Nat King Cole and more.
This concert has been generously sponsored by Carolyn Fuller

2021 – 2022 SEASON CONCERTS

Friday, September 24, 2021 | 5pm, 7pm
A Spanish September: An Evening of Flamenco and Moroccan Music


Wadih Ettabbakh, guitar and voice | Coco Barez, percussion | Mariana Gatto, dance

Don your finery for an elegant and festive season-opening, infused with the distinctive music of Andalusia and Morocco. Dance returns to the Secret Garden as the fiery rhythms and passionate melodies of flamenco take you on a musical journey to Southern Spain – then across the Strait of Gibraltar to Morocco for a fusion with Arabic musical traditions. After the performance, join Classical Movements for a 30-minute celebratory toast to the beginning of the season.

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Wednesday, September 29, 2021 | 6pm
Afghanistan: A Conversation with Musicians and Journalists

Join us in conversation with four female and male musicians and journalists from Afghanistan, newly arrived to the USA in August 2021, as they describe their alternately inspiring and harrowing experiences.

Many musicians and their families are in hiding in Afghanistan. Those that have been given refuge in the United States are in need of support not only for housing and basic expenses, but also for music lessons, instruments, rehearsal spaces, and much more to continue their musical pursuits and education.
To protect participants’ families, friends, and colleagues still in Afghanistan, we are not publishing names or identifying biographical details before the event. 
A portion of proceeds from the event will be directed to support musicians in Afghanistan and their families, as well as those who recently arrived in the United States.  This event is presented by Musical Movements for Change, a nonprofit organization associated with Classical Movements.

Thursday, October 7, 2021 | 5pm, 6:30pm
An October Opus: The Brahms Clarinet Quintet


Principal Musicians of the Washington National Opera/Kennedy Center Opera House Orchestra:

David Jones, principal clarinet | Oleg Rylatko, concertmaster | Ko Sugiyama, assistant concertmaster | Allyson Goodman, principal viola | Amy Frost Baumgarten, principal cello

Principal musicians from the Kennedy Center Opera House play one of the most gorgeous works of chamber music in their return to Secret Garden, following sold-out concerts in spring 2021. Composed in a fit of creativity that drew Johannes Brahms out of retirement, the haunting character of the quintet for clarinet and strings is interrupted by moments of intense inner warmth, this is one of the most ravishing works of chamber music.  Then enjoy the lighthearted and enjoyable George Gershwin piece “Promenade – Walking The Dog” from the famed movie “Shall we Dance?” which featured Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers  – and a perfect complement to an autumn evening.

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Friday, October 22, 2021 | 6:30pm
Savory Soiree: Japanese Garden Gala Dinner and Concert

Concert with Musicians of the National Symphony Orchestra
Marina Aikawa, violin | Tsuna Sakamoto, viola | Mahoko Eguchi, viola | Ryo Yanagitani, guest piano

Sumptuous Multi-Course Japanese Cuisine, Green Tea, Sake & Whiskey
Experience Ikebana, Koto, Origami & more

Don your silks and pearls for a benefit concert and a cocktail attire gala celebration in support of concerts and artists in the transformed Secret Garden.
Join Classical Movements and Japanese musicians from the National Symphony and acclaimed pianist Ryo Yanagitani – for an unforgettable fundraising events inspired by the art, culture, and cuisine of Japan.
The Gala Dinner & Concert begins with illuminating demonstrations of ikebana flower arrangement, the traditional koto musical instrument, and origami.  Then enjoy a beautifully curated musical program and memorable Japanese menu.
If you are unable to attend our event in person you can also support us through our online auction. 
A significant portion of your ticket cost will be tax-deductible through Musical Movements for Change, a 501(c)(3) organization.

Saturday, October 30, 2021 | 5pm, 6:30pm
Violin Masterworks: David Kim plays Handel, Prokofiev & Kreisler


David Kim, violin | Jeffrey DeVault, piano

David Kim was sensational in May of 2021 and is now back by popular demand. The Philadelphia Orchestra concertmaster makes a second appearance in the Secret Garden with a program of gorgeous, virtuosic showcases for the violin by Handel, Prokofiev, & Kreisler – and also featuring John Williams’ heartbreaking violin theme from the film “Schindler’s List.” Don’t miss the opportunity to hear one of the world’s great violinists in a program that will take your breath away and move your soul in equal measure.

“Style and buoyance” The Philadelphia Inquirer

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Tuesday, November 9, 2021 | 5pm, 6:30pm
Blow Those Horns: Music for Horn Quartet

French Horns from the National Symphony Orchestra:
Abel Pereira | Markus Osterlund | James Nickel | Robert Rearden

Don’t miss a remarkable opportunity to hear a quartet of the regal French Horns playing brilliant music you should know – by composers you have likely never heard of. Members of the NSO horn section lend their refulgent tone to majestic, moving, and delightful rarities by American, German, and Russian composers.

 

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Sunday, February 27, 2022 | 5pm, 7:30pm

Savory Soiree: “A Chopin Salon at the Rectory”
Thomas Pandolfi, concert pianist

This event has been rescheduled due to weather and will now be on February 27th.

Enjoy 3-courses of culinary delights from Poland accompanied by French champagne and wine during this evening of Chopin in the Atrium. Thomas Pandolfi joins us for the second time at The Rectory on Princess Street. He will debut our 1928 Grand Haines Piano in our beautiful glass-enclosed atrium!

Masks will be required indoors at all times and seats socially distanced.

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Friday & Saturday, March 25-26, 2022
Philadelphia Tour: See Yannick Nézet-Séguin Conduct Philadelphia Orchestra


Join Classical Movements and the Friends of Sounds of Hope & Harmony just up the road in Philadelphia! This special tour will give you an insider view on the world-class Philadelphia Orchestra. Meet concertmaster of the Philadelphia Orchestra, David Kim, over a champagne toast after a concert by the orchestra conducted by the electric Yannick Nézet-Séguin with Venezuelan-Argentine classical pianist Sergio Tiempo. A fabulous dinner with wine and a visit to one of Philadelphia’s historic museums rounds out this weekend jaunt to this dynamic city. We have enough sign-ups, but still welcome a few more participants until March 1.

More Information Register for the Tour

Thursday, March 10, 2022 | 7pm, 8:30pm
Flamenco Guitar Meets Tabla

Wadih Ettabbakh, guitar and voice | Hamid Habib Zada, tabla

Sip Spanish wine as you journey from Southern Spain, through North Africa, all the way to Afghanistan. Join us in the Atrium for a dazzling pre-season display of improvisation, virtuosity, and an unforgettable exchange between cultures. Guitarist Wadih Ettabbakh returns after opening our autumn season with his distinctive blend of flamenco and Moroccan music, joined by newly arrived Afghan musician Hamid Habib Zada playing the tabla, the ancient hand drums central to musical traditions across South Asia

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Tuesday, March 22, 2022 | 5pm, 6:30pm
Spring Season Opener: Concert for Ukraine
Smetana, Skoryk, Bogachek

Musicians from the National Symphony Orchestra and the Washington National Opera/Kennedy Center Opera House Orchestra
Zino Bogachek, violin | Natasha Bogachek, violin | Eric DeWaardt, viola | Loewi Lin, cello

The spring season opens with the 100th and 101st concerts in the Secret Garden, offered in solidarity with the courage and resistance of the people of Ukraine. An international tribute featuring Ukrainian, Russian, Dutch and Taiwanese-Canadian musicians performing powerful, inspiring repertoire by Bedřich Smetana and Ukrainian composers.

A portion of proceeds from ticket sales and the entirety of additional donations will be donated to Doctors Without Borders in support of their relief efforts in Ukraine.

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Thursday, March 31, 2022 |  6:30pm
MOZART | TCHAIKOVSKY | MASSENET
PRICE | HEGGIE | BARNES

Shana Oshiro, soprano | Dr. Brian Bartoldus, piano | Jodi Beder, cello

Join us at 6pm for a reception in the Atrium and enjoy a “Maya Angelou” cocktail before the concert. 

Shana Oshiro combines her radiant voice with exquisite poise and beauty and offers a program of Mozart’s rarely heard Abendemfindung (“Evening Sentiment”) with the unforgettable Dans un bois solitaire (“Alone in a Forest”), and on to Tchaikovsky’s well known Serenade and Massenet’s soulful On Dit (“One Says”). The program continues with a powerful story of transformation, feminism, equality, and Justice with songs by the extremely popular Florence Price, Jake Heggie (Dead Man Walking), and Jasmine Barnes. Accompanied by pianist, conductor, and composer Brian Bartoldus and cellist Jodi Beder.

This concert has been generously sponsored by Louise Meng

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Thursday, April 7, 2022 | 5pm, 6:30pm
The Immortal Beloved: Love Through the Sound of the Cello – Beethoven & Brahms

Amit Peled, cello | Allison Freeman, piano

After a breathtaking debut with sold-out performances in the Secret Garden in April 2021, internationally renowned Israeli-American cellist Amit Peled and his 1695 instrument by the Italian master Giovanni Grancino make a return appearance for a program built around the passion, seduction, longing, and despair of Beethoven and Brahms’s hidden love affairs.  A glass of Riesling will be served

“A glowing tone, a seductive timbre and an emotionally pointed approach to phrasing that made you want to hear him again” The New York Times

“Fiery and intelligent, Peled really shone in a bold and dramatically conceived interpretation” The Strad Magazine

The event is made possible with the support of the Embassy of the Federal Republic of Germany, Washington DC

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Thursday, April 14, 2022 | 5pm, 6:30pm
Bolero, Zarzuela & Arias

Co-Presented with IN Series:
Timothy Nelson, Artistic Director | Judy Yannini, soprano | Emily Baltzer, piano

Sip a virgin margarita while you listen to an artist fast on the rise, Mexican soprano Judy Yannini makes her Secret Garden debut in an incandescent program of selections from vibrant zarzuelas and beloved operas, presented in partnership with IN Series.

“Yannini displayed a warm, maternal tone at both top and bottom, easily negotiating the distances between them” Washington Classical Review

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Thursday, April 21, 2022 | 5pm, 6:30pm
Old Time Roots: Bluegrass and Americana

Ken Kolodner, hammered dulcimer, hammered mbira & fiddle | Brad Kolodner, banjo,  gourd banjo & fiddle | Rachel Eddy, fiddle & guitar

The father-son team Ken & Brad Kolodner crosses the boundaries of Old-Time, Bluegrass and American Roots music in a transfixing, elegant program played in sophisticated arrangements for banjo, hammered dulcimer and fiddle featuring distinctive songs, traditional pieces and original music.  Enjoy a virgin “Coal Miner’s Daughter” cocktail during the performance.

“…exceptionally talented musicians and they have created a tight, top-notch sound.” Bluegrass Today

“The Kolodners and their collaborators play with impeccable chops and with great feeling.” Bluegrass Unlimited

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Concert Postponed due to Illness
Haydn’s “Joke” for Strings
Musicians from the National Symphony

Marissa Regni, violin | Marina Aikawa, violin | Tsuna Sakamoto, viola | Eugena Chang, cello
“The String Thing” – Heather LeDoux Green, violin | Paul DeNola, bass | Jeffrey Weisner, bass

Musical laughs meet exquisite harmony when musicians from the National Symphony play Haydn’s witty String Quartet in E-flat – nicknamed “The Joke,” appropriately for a composer noted for his sense of humor as well as for being the “Father of the String Quartet.” The program also features Pulitzer Prize-winning Jennifer Higdon’s gentle musical portrait, “Southern Harmony.” Then hilarious duo “The String Thing” (Heather LeDoux Green, Paul DeNola) leads a Guess the Composer Challenge. Test your knowledge of the great works of classical music – and see if special guest Jeff Weisner can keep his NSO colleagues on their best behavior!

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Thursday, May 12, 2022 | 5pm, 6:30pm
Early Music for Lute and Viola da Gamba

Ronn McFarlane, lute | Carolyn Surrick, viola da gamba

BACH, DOWLAND, PICCININI HASSLER, ORTIZ
And new music for the Lute by Mcfarlane and Surrick

The refined splendor of Grammy Award-winning lutist Ronn McFarlane returns to the Secret Garden, joined by Carolyn Surrick for an imaginative, wide-ranging program of early music for the captivating combination of lute and viola da gamba, the Renaissance precursor to the modern cello, including iconic works by Dowland, Telemann and Bach.  Enjoy a glass of English Ale during the performance.

“Here there is a genuine feeling of engagement and enjoyment here, a sense of sharing material with each other, the idea that after each tune someone says ‘if that then this’, or ‘do listen to this’.” Planet Hugill

This concert has been generously sponsored by Diana Garcia 

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Thursday, May 19, 2022 | 5pm, 6:30pm
The Romantics in the Secret Garden: Beethoven’s “Moonlight” Sonata

Vijay Venkatesh, piano

Hailed for “effortless technical command and authority with a sense of poetry,” award-winning pianist Vijay Venkatesh plays a program of Romantic piano music by Clara Schumann, Johannes Brahms, Frederic Chopin and Beethoven’s famous “Moonlight” Sonata.  A glass of Spätburgunder wine will be served during the performance.

“Vijay Venkatesh is blessed with it all: transcendent technique, unbridled passion, and irresistible charisma. He breathes with an oxygen of imagination.” The Washington Post

The event is made possible with the support of the Embassy of the Federal Republic of Germany, Washington DC.
The Lead sponsor for this concert is Anne Carlucci & Mitchell Hertz.

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Thursday, May 26, 2022 | 5pm, 6:30pm
The Golden Age of Gypsy Jazz

Nuage Rhythm: Myriam Phiro, vocals | Matvei Sigelav, violin | Lisa Liu, guitar | Elias Bailey, upright bass

Sip a French Martini while Chanteuse Myriam Phiro and her band Nuage Rhythm celebrate the golden age of jazz across the Atlantic, from the salons of Manhattan to Paris and the Mediterranean with a transatlantic flair and distinctive blend of Parisian and American Jazz from New York City to the Secret Garden. Inspired by the stylings of Edith Piaf and Nat King Cole, experience your favorite jazz classics in French, English, Italian, Portuguese, and Spanish, reimagined through the unmistakable flavor of gypsy jazz.

“…deep, powerful, fun and sexy all at once.” –NYC Culture & Style Magazine

This concert has been generously sponsored by Cheryl Amyx

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June 3 & 4, 2022
Le nozze di Figaro


Musicians from the Prague Summer Nights Young Artists Music Program & Washington National Opera Cafritz Young Artists  

Opera returns to the Secret Garden with Mozart’s beloved comedy in a delightful, immersive staging featuring a talented cast of young musicians. An audience favorite since 1786, discover the madcap comedy and radiant score as never before.

This concert is part of the Prague Summer Nights 2022 Washington D.C. Residency, which is generously sponsored by John H. Hart, and George & Patti White.

Tickets & Program

Thursday, June 16, 2022 | 5pm, 6:30pm
Steps Towards Freedom: A Juneteenth Remembrance

With the Coalition for African Americans in the Performing Arts
Ayana Freelon, soprano | Carl Dupont, baritone | Shawna Williams, dancer | Dr. Lester Green, piano | Pamela Simonson, narrator

After presenting its first Juneteenth concert just a day after Congress voted to make Juneteenth a national holiday, Classical Movements and CAAPA partner once again to celebrate this day of joy and liberation. Discover the power and significance of this celebration from a new perspective through the combination of narration and chamber music.  A “Juneteenth cocktail” will be provided for your enjoyment during this program.

“A timely celebration in jubilation of the abolishment of enslavement and involuntary servitude.” The Zebra

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Friday, June 24, 2022 | 5pm, 6:30pm
Cuban: A Night in Havana

Luis Faife & Cuban Roots Featuring: Luis Faife (alto saxophone, flute, trumpet, background vocal, Leader) | Manuel “Memo” Pelayo (lead vocals, tenor saxophone, clarinet) | Bienvenido Dinzey (piano, background vocals) | Daniel Vargas (percussion)

Enjoy a mojito during this exuberant celebration of the golden age of Cuban music in the secret garden including favorite songs of the Buena Vista Social Club like Chan Chan, Guantanamera, Lágrimas Negras, El Cuarto de Tula, Que le den Candela and more. 

The lead sponsor for this concert is Carolyn Fuller

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Friday, July 22, 2022 | 6:30pm
Savory Soiree: La Dolce Vita – Garden Dinner and Concert

Concert with Sumptuous Multi-Course Italian Cuisine, paired with Italian wines
Frank Plumer, accordion, piano & voice | Ruth Swope, violin

Join us for a delightful evening of Neapolitan love songs and Italian favorites like O Sole mio, Volare, La Donna è mobile, Come back to Sorrento, and more on accordion, violin and piano.
This savory soiree will offer you an authentically Italian three-course dinner, with wine pairings of a sensational Sangiovese rosé and a Borgo San Daniele Friulano white wine. The dinner is accompanied by several musical courses. Burrata served with arugula, cherry tomatoes and prosciutto to start, pollo alla cacciatora served over pappardelle pasta as the main course with Tiramisu and raspberries to finish your meal. We will end the evening sipping limoncello while listening to some finale music. Join us for this unforgettable evening where we will bring Italy to Old Town Alexandria!
Co-presented by Musical Movements for Change and Classical Movements

2020 – 2021 Season Concerts

SATURDAY, JULY 25, 2020: “The Four B’s: Barrière, Bologne, Bartok, and Beethoven” – Chamber Music

 

Musicians from the National Symphony Orchestra:

Cello Duos & String Quartets
Eugena Chang, cello  |  Britton Riley, cello
Alexandra Osborne, violin  |  Angelia Cho, violin  |  Mahoko Eguchi, viola  |  Rachel Young, cello

Vibrant, daring and ravishing music by Beethoven, Bartok, Bologne, Chevalier de Saint-Georges, Barrière, Joplin and others

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SATURDAY, AUGUST 1, 2020: “Prague Comes to Washington” – An Evening of Art Song and Opera


Javier Arrey, baritone | Kaylee Norris, soprano | Taylor Hutchinson, piano

Featuring Metropolitan Opera Star and Chilean Baritone, Javier Arrey and Kaylee Norris, winner of the Prague Summer Nights Young Artists Music Festival voice competition

The program includes Beethoven’s superlative song cycle “An die ferne Geliebte” in celebration of the 250th anniversary of his birth, Dvorak’s beautiful “Biblical Songs”, as well as charming arias and art songs by Mozart, Stravinsky, Brahms, Liszt, and others

“…a voice so lovely to listen to” Washington Post

Presented with the generous support of:
IDEA*TECH Associates, your local Alexandria IT System Support

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SATURDAY, AUGUST 8, 2020:  “Night-Shining White: Music for Percussion and Brass” – Chamber Music


Musicians from the National Symphony Orchestra: 

Scott Christian, Percussion
William Gerlach, trumpet | Amy McCabe, guest trumpet | Robert Rearden, horn | David Murray, trombone | Stephen Dumaine, tuba

Rousing, rhythmic and dynamic music by living composers Joyce, Singleton, Akiho, Zhou, as well as Ewald and the celebrated Duke Ellington

Presented with the generous support of:
IDEA*TECH Associates, your local Alexandria IT System Support
Fitness Together: Private, Personalized, Training & Nutrition in Alexandria, VA

 

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SATURDAY, AUGUST 15, 2020: An Evening of Grand Opera, Italian and American Art Songs


Issachah Savage, tenor | Joy Schreier, piano

“Savage sang with a combination of power and finesse that is rare to observe.” San Francisco Chronicle

“…easy, rich, warm sound that poured out of him” Washington Post

Enjoy gorgeous arias and expressive art songs by Verdi, Wagner, Strauss, Tosti, Donaudy and Margaret Bonds

Presented with the generous support of:
IDEA*TECH Associates, your local Alexandria IT System Support
CAAPA – Coalition for African Americans in the Performing Arts

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SATURDAY, AUGUST 29, 2020: “Sweet Songs of Sorrow and Joy” * – An Evening of Music Celebrating Civil Rights on the Anniversary of the March on Washington


Alexandria Crichlow, soprano | V. Savoy McIlwain, baritone | Lester Green, piano | Pamela Simonson, the narrator

Newly Added Concert Program in collaboration with CAAPA (Coalition for African Americans in the Performing Arts)

SPIRITUALS  |  FREEDOM SONGS  |  GOSPEL  |
CIVIL RIGHTS ANTHEMS

*“God has wrought many things out of oppression. He has endowed his creatures with the capacity to create—and from this capacity has flowed the sweet songs of sorrow and joy that have allowed man to cope with his environment and many different situations… This is triumphant music.” – Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

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SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 12, 2020: “A Brand New Day” – Choral Music Returns!

The Choir of Hope & Harmony | Anthony Blake Clark, conductor

12 professional singers perform 400 years of compelling choral music by Byrd, Britten, Panufnik, Coleridge-Taylor, Barnett and more on themes of hope in times of uncertainty

Presented with the generous support of:
IDEA*TECH Associates, your local Alexandria IT System Support

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SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 19, 2020: “An Evening of Novel Ensembles” – Chamber Music


Musicians from the National Symphony Orchestra

 Alexander Jacobsen, bass | Michael Marks, bass | Charles Nilles, bass | Jeffrey Weisner, bass
Jamie Roberts, oboe | Paul Cigan, clarinet | Ying Fu, violin | Daniel Foster, viola | Alexander Jacobsen, bass

An ambitious, imaginative and eclectic program featuring Prokofiev’s famous Quintet in G minor for oboe, clarinet, violin, viola, and double bass and one-of-a-kind arrangements for double-bass quartet of classical and pop hits by Gershwin, Bach, O’Connor, Bjork, Seal and the Beatles

Presented with the generous support of:
IDEA*TECH Associates, your local Alexandria IT System Support

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SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 26, 2020: “Cabaret in Twilight” – Jazz and Musical Theatre

Awa Sal Secka | Christian Douglas

Dan Campolieta, piano

The night lights up with this dynamic duo performing jazz, musical theater and popular music, featuring the music of Marvin Gaye, Rogers and Hammerstein, Johnny Mercer, Erroll Garner, Rogers and Hart, Sting, Stephen Schwartz, Jeanine Tesori, Alan Menken, Sara Bareilles, the Beatles, Billy Joel and original songs by Awa Sal Secka and Christian Douglas

Presented with the generous support of:
IDEA*TECH Associates, your local Alexandria IT System Support

Listen

SATURDAY, OCT. 3 and SUNDAY, OCT. 4, 2020: Alexandria Symphony Orchestra Special Event


Beethoven’s uplifting Septet for winds and strings and Piazzolla’s iconic tango “Oblivion” will mingle in the fresh outdoor air of the “Secret Garden” in the heart of Alexandria’s Old Town. Featured bandoneonist Emmanuel Trifilio will transport us to a night club in Buenos Aires, even as Beethoven’s melodies linger in the garden atmosphere. ASO Music Director Jim Ross steps to the podium for the first time since February to conduct musicians of the ASO in this remarkably creative program. The Secret Garden series is a creation of ASO partners Classical Movements, owners of the historic Rectory on Princess, built in 1785.  

Rain dates: October 10 and October 11

2021 Spring Season Concerts

Saturday, March 27, 2021 | 2:30pm, 4pm
Season Opener: “Spring Comes On the World” – Chamber Music


Musicians from the National Symphony Orchestra:

Marissa Regni, violin  |  Angelia Cho, violin  |  Peiming Lin, violin  |  Andrew Eng, viola  |  Britton Riley, cello

Celebrate the return of springtime and “Sounds of Hope & Harmony” with string musicians from the NSO in charming, seasonal chamber works including Vivaldi’s popular “Spring” concerto from The Four Seasons and Mozart’s “Spring” quartet – as well as a mesemerizing quartet by legendary Jewish-American composer Philip Glass, in honor of Passover

This concert has been generously sponsored by John H. Hart

 

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Saturday, April 3, 2021 | 11am, 12:30pm
“A Garden Full of Angels” – Easter with Brass


Brass Musicians from the National Symphony Orchestra & Guests:

Kevin Gebo, trumpet  |  Anthony Bellino, trumpet  |  Robert Rearden, horn  |  Douglas Rosenthal, trombone  |  David Murray, bass trombone

Lift your Spring spirits with the vibrant sound of brass! This program will feature light and exuberant works that hearken the festive Easter holiday. Works from Bach, Handel, Haydn, Purcell, Bizet, and more will be performed by members of the NSO and guests.

 

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Saturday, April 10, 2021 | 2:30pm, 4:00pm
Opera in the Garden: Arias in April

Joshua Blue, tenor  |  Ashley Marie Robillard, soprano  |  Aurelien Eulert, piano

Returning to DC after captivating audiences in appearances at Washington National Opera and Wolf Trap Opera, award-winning tenor Joshua Blue and soprano Ashley Marie Robillard offer an enchanting program of art songs and operatic excerpts, including arias and duets by Mozart, Verdi, and Donizetti and songs by Claude Debussy, Florence Price, and more.

“I defy any heart to resist Joshua Blue, a smiling, expressive tenor with ringing high notes…” (Washington Post).

“Ashley Marie Robillard […] sang with beauty and precision even in her most comic moments. Hers is the voice I’d most like to hear again.” (The Philadelphia Inquirer)

This concert has been generously sponsored by George & Patti White

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Saturday, April 17, 2021 | 4pm, 7pm
Savory Soiree: “The Food of Love” – An Earth Day Celebration of Shakespeare

Ronn McFarlane, lute

A musical birthday feast for William Shakespeare, featuring a musical program of musical works by John Dowland and anonymous popular tunes from the Elizabethan era, performed by Grammy-nominated lutenist Ronn McFarlane – and accompanied by an Earth Day-inspired farm-to-table dinner and wine pairings.

 

Information and Book Your Table Listen

Sunday, April 25, 2021 | 5:30pm, 7pm
“Cello Bloch-buster: Celebrating J.S. Bach and Ernest Bloch”

 

Amit Peled, cello

Renowned for his profound artistry and charismatic stage presence, Israeli-American cellist Amit Peled pairs Bach’s monumental and joyful Cello Suite No. 6 – “a symphony for solo cello” as described by Mstislav Rostropovich – with haunting work by the Swiss-born American composer Ernest Bloch: From Jewish Life, one of many musical works reflecting Bloch’s deeply personal and individual musical treatment of Judaism. Amit performs on a 1695 cello by the Italian master Giovanni Grancino – nicknamed “Shoko” because its rich sound is like a “hot chocolate bath.”

“A glowing tone, a seductive timbre and an emotionally pointed approach to phrasing that made you want to hear him again.” (The New York Times)

The date has changed to our Sunday rain date.

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Saturday, May 1, 2021 | 2:30pm, 4pm
“Mendelssohn in May” – Chamber Music

String Musicians from the National Symphony Orchestra:

Marissa Regni, violin | Natasha Bogachek, violin | Marina Aikawa, violin | Heather LeDoux Green, violin | Tsuna Sakamoto, viola | Ruth Wicker, viola | Eugena Chang, cello | Britton Riley, cello

Our May Day program centers on the teenaged Felix Mendelssohn’s Octet in E-flat a dramatic chamber work of almost symphonic proportions – inspired the supernatural proceedings said to occur on the night according to German folklore and as depicted in Goethe’s Faust – alongside striking contemporary works by Caroline Shaw and Jessie Montgomery.

 

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Saturday, May 8, 2021 | 5:30pm, 7pm
“A Song in My Heart: A Tuneful Gift for Mom”

 

Anna Bergman, soprano  |  Howard Breitbart, piano

Celebrate Mother’s Day with internationally acclaimed singer Anna Bergman in favorites from cabaret to operetta. An unforgettable musical treat featuring gems from stage, screen, and popular hits.

Favorites from South Pacific, The Sound of Music, Fiddler on the Roof, and Into the Woods, and other songs made famous by Ella Fitzgerald, Edith Piaf, Julie Andrews, and more.

Enjoy a sparkling toast and a Mother’s Day surprise!

“…a vocal citizen of the world who has triumphed in everything from Broadway tunes to opera arias and the sultry innuendoes of the cabaret chanteuse.” (The Washington Post) 

Tickets & Program Discover Anna Bergman Sample Program

Thursday, May 13, 2021 | 5:30pm, 7pm
“Bolero, Barcarola, and Bomba”

Choir of Hope and Harmony | Dr. Diana Sáez

The Choir of Hope & Harmony returns to the Secret Garden for a vibrant evening of the syncopated melodies and driving rhythms of the classical, dance, and folk traditions of Latin American music. The program features repertoire from Argentina, Chile, Cuba, Puerto Rico, and Venezuela, by composers Astor Piazzolla, Rafael Hernández, Inocente Carreño, and others, conducted by leading specialist Dr. Diana Sáez.

 

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Thursday, May 20, 2021 | 5:30pm, 7pm
“Meditations and Fantasies”

David Kim, violin  |  Jeffrey DeVault, piano

Sarasate’s Carmen Fantasy | Massenet’s “Meditation” from Thais | Stravinsky’s Suite Italienne

Concertmaster of the Philadelphia Orchestra since 1999, David Kim comes to the Secret Garden for a brilliant program demonstrating the range of his artistry, from the personal to the virtuosic. Highlights include Jules Massenet’s “Meditation” from Thais and Pablo de Sarasate’s Carmen Fantasy, alongside lesser-known works such as Maria Theresia von Paradis’s Sicilienne and Igor Stravinsky’s Suite Italienne – in honor of the 50th anniversary of the composer’s death.

“Much burden fell on concertmaster David Kim, who carried a number of movements with style and buoyancy.” (The Philadelphia Inquirer)

This concert has been generously sponsored by Carolyn Fuller

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Thursday, May 27, 2021 | 5:30pm, 7pm
“Musical Gems from the Opera and Ballet”

Principal Musicians of the WNO and KCOHO:

Adria Sternstein Foster, flute | Susan Robinson, harp | Ko Sugiyama, violin | Allyson Goodman, viola | Amy Frost Baumgarten, cello

Don Giovanni | Carmen | Tosca | Cavalleria Rusticana | and more

From the orchestra pit to our Secret Garden, see the musicians from the Kennedy Center Opera House Orchestra and relive stunning moments from the opera and ballet stages.  A unique program of excerpts of imaginative arrangements, and a rare opportunity to experience the beguiling sounds of the harp and flute in this intimate and charming setting.

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Friday, June 4, 2021 | 5:30pm, 7pm
“I Hear America Singing”

Choral Arts Chamber Singers  |  Scott Tucker, conductor

Performing in person for the first time since the beginning of the pandemic, singers from the Choral Arts Society of Washington and Music Director Scott Tucker showcase the wide-ranging influences that have shaped American choral music in a program of stunningly beautiful and rarely heard works. From the styles and languages of Asia and Europe to the tradition of African American spirituals that inspired pioneering Black composers Nathaniel Dett and Undine Moore Smith to a world premiere by B. E. Boykin celebrating Mary Church Terrell, an activist in the movements for civil rights and women’s suffrage, commissioned by Classical Movements

Because of the threat of rain, the concert has been moved indoors at St. Paul’s Episcopal Church, 228 S. Pitt Street, Alexandria VA.

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Thursday, June 10, 2021 | 5:30pm, 7pm
“A Haunting Refrain: Jazz in June”

Sweet Something

Retro, smooth, and timeless. Vocalist and front-woman, Ariana Harbin leads jazz quartet Sweet Something in favorite jazz tunes from “Summertime” to “On the Sunny Side of the Street,” and in tribute to the indelible performances of Billie Holiday, Ella Fitzgerald, Frank Sinatra, Nat King Cole and more.

 

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Thursday, June 17, 2021 |  5:30pm, 7pm
Juneteenth Celebration: “Day of Jubilee!”

With CAAPA – Coalition for African Americans in the Performing Arts

Shana Oshiro, soprano | Jarrod Lee, baritone | Shawna Williams, dancer | Dr. Lester Green, piano | Pamela Simonson, narrator

Join in an uplifting and festive musical celebration of Juneteenth, the oldest nationally celebrated commemoration of the ending of slavery in the United States. Featuring texts by Langston Hughes and Martin Luther King, Jr. and music by trailblazing composers Margaret Bonds and Adolphus Hailstork.   A Joyful and reflective celebration through song, narration, and for the first time in the Secret Garden – dance!  

 

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June 24, 25 & 26, 2021
Mozart’s The Magic Flute

Musicians from the Prague Summer Nights Young Artists Music Program

Mozart’s masterpiece comes to the Secret Garden in an enchanting staging featuring a talented cast of young musicians. An audience favorite for 230 years, experience the delightful story of magic, adventure, and true love – and Mozart’s majestic, sparkling score – like never before.

This concert is part of the Prague Summer Nights 2021 Washington D.C. Residency, which is generously sponsored by John H. Hart.

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Saturday, June 26, 2021  |  4:30pm
“The Stars of Tomorrow” – Gala Opera Arias Concert

Musicians from the Prague Summer Nights Young Artists Music Program
Mozart | Donizetti | Strauss | Gounod

Discover the opera stars of tomorrow with an evening of greatest hits from Don Giovanni, Le nozze di Figaro, Faust, L’elisir d’amore, Die Fledermaus and other favorite operas. Featuring the emerging and talented young artists of Prague Summer Night’s Washington, D.C. Residency in delightful, moving, and astonishing moments from the opera stage.  Attend this elegant evening of opera and end with a glass of champagne.

This concert is part of the Prague Summer Nights 2021 Washington, D.C. Residency, which is generously sponsored by John H. Hart.

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Thursday, July 1, 2021 | 5:30pm, 7pm
Schubert’s The Trout Quintet – Chamber Music

 

Musicians from the National Symphony Orchestra:
Marissa Regni, violin | Ruth Wicker, viola | Loewi Lin, cello | Michael Marks, bass | Efi Hackmey, piano

Schubert’s beloved but rarely heard Trout Quintet is an unmissable and significant addition to our concert series.  Washington DC composer Carlos Simon’s “Be Still and Know” completes this stunning program.  Hear the NSO musicians perform with a piano for the first time in the Secret Garden.  If you have never heard The Trout performed live, don’t miss this piece that is described as “radiating golden sunshine, confident hope, and high spirits”.

 

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Thursday, July 8, 2021  |  5:30pm, 7pm
Jazz in July

Sweet Something Jazz Quartet
Ariana Harbin, vocals  |  Caleb Nei, piano  |  Kevin Johnson, upright bass  |  Aaron Ivy, drums

Jazz quartet Sweet Something returns to the Secret Garden for a new program of favorite jazz tunes. Paying tribute to the legends of yesteryear, vocalist and front-woman Ariana Harbin brings her own unmistakable touch to evergreen classics from “At Last” to “Almost Like Being in Love” and more songs made famous by the likes of Peggy Lee, Ray Charles, Etta James, Frank Sinatra, Ella Fitzgerald, Nat King Cole, Billie Holiday, and Louis Armstrong!

 

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Friday, July 23, 2021 | 7pm
Savory Soiree: “Liberté chérie: A Bastille Day Celebration”

Elizebeth Barnes, mezzo-soprano | Thomas Pandolfi, piano

Celebrate Bastille Day with an epicurean feast paired with champagne and fine French wine and a delectable musical program of French songs and opera arias by Jules Massenet, Claude Debussy, Georges Bizet, Pauline Viardot, Nadia Boulanger, Francis Poulenc, Gabriel Fauré, and more.

 

Listen

Thursday, July 29, 2021  |  5:30pm, 7pm
“Bold as Brass” – Chamber Music


Kennedy Center Horn Duo:
James Nickel, horn  |  Robert Rearden, horn

Kennedy Center Trombone Quartet
Douglas Rosenthal, trombone  |  Kevin Carlson, trombone  |  David Murray, trombone  |  Matthew Guilford, bass trombone

If you’ve never heard a trombone quartet or a French horn duo, this is your moment. Hear the noble French horn and the characterful trombone showcase the arresting versatility of their instruments in rousing and stunning music by Beethoven, Bruckner, Vaughan Williams, Florence Price – and legend of bossa nova, Antônio Carlos Jobim.

 

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Thursday, August 5, 2021 | 5:30pm, 7pm
“A Caruso and Lanza Celebration”

Errin Duane Brooks, tenor | Carter Sligh, piano

Puccini | Verdi | Bizet | Tosti

In 2019 alone he made his Metropolitan Opera, Carnegie Hall, and Lincoln Center debuts.  Derailed by Covid in 2020, tenor Errin Duane Brooks makes his Washington, D.C. debut celebrating the centennial of Enrico Caruso’s death and Mario Lanza’s birth with beloved songs and breathtaking arias by Verdi, Puccini, Bizet and Leoncavallo – including “Nessun dorma”.  You heard him here first.

“…a voice like warm steel, superbly controlled to its highest notes” (Parterre Box)
“A tenor with a really big voice.”  (All Things Considered – NPR) 

This concert has been generously sponsored by Linda Bunce and John H. Hart

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Sunday, August 15, 2021 |  4pm, 5:30pm
“Trio to Tango: Celebrating Piazzolla at 100”

The New Trifilio Tango Trio
Emmanuel Trifilio, bandoneon  |  Julie Huang Tucker, piano  |  Ali Cook, double bass

Honor the centennial year of Astor Piazzolla with a glass of Malbec wine and the singular sound of the bandoneon in a program featuring the entrancing music of the composer who brought tango to international attention, along with other celebrated tango composers and original music by Emmanuel Trifilio.

 

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Sunday, August 29, 2021 | 5:30pm, 7pm
“Beautiful, Poetic Strings” – Chamber Music

Musicians from the National Symphony Orchestra

Marissa Regni, violin  |  Derek Powell, violin  |  Mahoko Eguchi, viola  |  Rachel Young, cello

Musicians from the National Symphony Orchestra celebrate summer, and offer a program of stimulating music for string quartet including Haydn’s “Lark” Quartet, “The Orangery” by Caroline Shaw, “Oblivion” and “Libertango” by Piazzolla, and more.

“… consistent refinement and interpretive restraint…” (Washington Post about Last Stand Quartet)

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“The presenter took every possible precaution…the dangers posed by the coronavirus felt about as mitigated as they could possibly be.”
– Charles T. Downey, Washington Classical Review

 

During COVID when all concerts and venues were shut down, Classical Movements decided to present an outdoor, live concert series “Sounds of Hope & Harmony” in solidarity with our clients and friends in the local music community and specially designed to accommodate safe social distancing for performers, audience and staff. Concerts usually take place on Thursdays and Saturdays (with some Tuesdays and here and there, other days of the week), with different start times and rain dates for many performances.

This has turned out to be s silver lining of COVID and the artists and the community overwhelmingly want them to continue. Thousands of members of the DMV area come to these no-fuss, casual concerts, set amongst our beautiful garden, featuring world-class concerts, celebrating the illuminating power of music during this period of so much uncertainty and tension.

The Secret Garden
At the Rectory on Princess Street
711 Princess Street, Old Town Alexandria, VA
Laura@classicalmovements.com
Tel: 703-683-6040