JSO Presents an Evening of Romance and Drama with Tchaikovsky and Barber

The Jackson Symphony Orchestra’s Classical Concert Series continues its 76th season with Romeo & Juliet, a program filled with emotion, beauty, and passion. Taking place on Saturday, November 15, 2025, at 7:30pm at the Michigan Theatre (124 N Mechanic St), this concert features soaring melodies and powerful storytelling through music.

The evening begins with Tchaikovsky’s Romeo and Juliet Overture-Fantasy, a sweeping depiction of Shakespeare’s timeless tragedy. From its tender love theme to its dramatic climaxes, this beloved work captures the intensity of young love and the power of fate.

Next, the orchestra welcomes soprano Kathryn Mueller for Samuel Barber’s Knoxville: Summer of 1915, a heartfelt reflection on childhood, memory, and the passage of time. Barber’s lush harmonies and lyrical beauty showcase Mueller’s expressive voice in one of American music’s most beloved works.

The concert concludes with Tchaikovsky’s Symphony No. 5, a masterful journey through darkness and triumph. With its rich orchestration and unforgettable melodies, the symphony explores the human spirit’s resilience in the face of fate.

“For this program, we present three works whose romantic intensity and nostalgic warmth are especially dear to me,” said Jackson Symphony Orchestra Music Director Matthew Aubin.

Pre-Concert Conversation: Join us at 6:30pm before the concert for a special Pre-Concert Conversation, featuring Matthew Aubin and soprano Kathryn Mueller.

Thank you to our sponsors: Consumers Energy, Henry Ford Health, Dawn Foods, Alro Steel, Commonwealth, Holiday Inn Express & Suites, Huntington Bank, Penske, Grand River Brewery and Michigan Theatre.