BSR Classical Interludes, July 2026

Lenape Chamber Ensemble: Summer Gala Concerts
Saturdays July 11, 18, and 25, 8pm
Delaware Valley University/Life Sciences Auditorium, 700 East Butler Avenue, Doylestown

This is the 39th season for these summer classic concerts. Each one offers differing repertoire, and so you can hear works by Beethoven, Still, Schubert, Mozart, Milhaud, Dohnanyi, and more. These chamber evenings also feature a rotating roster of string artists (such as violinist Cyrus Beroukhim, cellist Alberto Parrini, and William Frampton on the viola), with Marcantonio Barone at the piano for each of the concerts. You can purchase tickets for the series or single concerts.

OperaDelaware: Parking Lot Pagliacci
July 16, 8pm (tailgating begins at 7pm)
OperaDelaware Studios/Parking Lot, 4 South Poplar Street, Wilmington

In advance of its slate of summer performances throughout the state, OperaDelaware is presenting a one-hour adaptation of Leoncavallo’s Pagliacci in the parking lot of the company’s Studio building. A reprise (of sorts) of the performances they gave during the pandemic, the ensemble will present company artists Dane Suarez, Emily Margevich, and Gerard Moon performing alongside guest artists Brian James Myer and Malcolm Richardson, with pianist Sarah Thune. You can bring your own chairs and food, or (for an upcharge) reserve a seat and get concession tickets.

Timeless Resonance Music: Pastoral Splendor
Saturday, July 18, 7pm
Philadelphia Ethical Society, 1906 Rittenhouse Square

This concert is part of the second season of programming from an ensemble founded by Temple alums Anthony Passante Contaldi and Gabe Preston. This “romantic celebration of the natural world” will feature pianist Passante Contaldi and Preston (flute and clarinet), along with cellist Leigh Brown and soprano Lizaveta Ponarina singing Dvořák’s “Song to the Moon” from Rusalka. On the program are works by Elgar, Liszt, and Schumann, as well as Passante Contaldi’s Nocturne in F Major for Solo Cello. Later in the month, the ensemble also hosts a free “Classical Open Mic” at the Philadelphia Ethical Society on Monday, July 27 at 7pm.

Curtis Presents: Gershwin, Corigliano, and More
Saturday, July 25, 7:30pm
Curtis Institute/Field Concert Hall, 1726 Locust Street

Just returned from presenting this American-themed concert in their New England tour, Curtis alums violinist Elissa Lee Koljonen (’94) and guitarist Hao Yang (’22) are joined by cellist Romain-Olivier Gray in a program celebrating the country’s 250th anniversary. The evening features work by Coleridge-Taylor Perkinson, George Gershwin, George Rochberg (’48), Astor Piazzolla, John Corigliano, and others. And it will include guitar great Pat Metheny’s Always and Forever in a special new arrangement by Curtis guitar faculty member Jason Vieaux.

Philadelphia Orchestra: Mozart and Beethoven Concerts
All Mozart
Friday July 31, 2pm

All Beethoven
Saturday August 1, 2pm
Kimmel Center/Marian Anderson Hall, 300 South Broad Street

Here’s a weekend of afternoon orchestra concerts to help you beat the heat—or keep you dry, depending on the weather! Naomi Woo conducts the Philadelphia Orchestra for both offerings. The Mozart concert features guest soprano Emma Markefka in some of his arias, along with the Overture to The Marriage of Figaro and the Jupiter Symphony. For the Beethoven afternoon, pianist Aristo Sham plays the composer’s First Piano Concerto, and the orchestra offers his dramatic Coriolan Overture along with the iconic Fifth Symphony.

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