Loudoun Symphony Plays 'Centennial Celebrations'

You have a babysitter for Saturday night, but you want to stay close to home?  A romantic night out can be had in Ashburn this weekend as the Loudoun Symphony Orchestra presents their upcoming concert, “Centennial Celebrations” at 7:30 p.m. March 26.

Set for the Virginia Academy’s newly constructed and spacious theater, the concert features music from composers Giuseppe Verdi, Samuel Barber and Gustav Mahler. This year marks the 100th anniversary of Mahler’s death as well as Barber’s birth, hence the title of the concert.

The program opens with one of Verdi’s most frequently performed pieces, the Overture to his opera La Forza del Destino. 

Then, the LSO will perform Barber’s Knoxville: Summer of 1915.  Soprano Ah Hong, whose voice has been described as “glistening and resilient” by The Washington Post, will perform as the featured soloist.

The second half of the concert features Mahler’s Symphony No. 4.  The talented Ms. Hong will sing the final of four movements.

Maestro Mark Allen McCoy will be giving a special pre-concert lecture at 6:30 p.m., a string workshop conducted by Dr. Yeong Su Kim will follow at 7 p.m. and the concert begins at 7:30 p.m.  Tickets cost $15 in advance and $18 at the door.  Event information can be found at: www.loudounsymphony.org.

The Virginia Academy, part of the has a café in which snacks and beverages can be purchased before the concert and during intermission.  A pre- or post-concert dinner could also be enjoyed at one of Ashburn’s fine dining establishments like or .