An evening of Romantic passion and vivid storytelling. Joshua Brown performs Max Bruch’s beloved Violin Concerto No. 1, filled with soaring melodies and virtuoso flair. The program concludes with Hector Berlioz’s groundbreaking Symphonie fantastique, a bold and imaginative journey through love, obsession, and fantasy.

Violinist Joshua Brown is recognized internationally for his expressive artistry, praised for his “richness of sound, elegance of reading, and commitment of every moment at the service of the work” (La Libre). He rose to global prominence following his success at the 2024 Queen Elisabeth Competition in Brussels, where he was awarded Second Prize along with both Audience Awards. In 2025, he received an Avery Fisher Career Grant and the CAG Louis and Susan Meisel Prize, and is represented by Concert Artists Guild.

Since his debut with the Cleveland Orchestra, Joshua has performed with leading orchestras across the United States and Europe, including the Munich Radio Orchestra, MDR Sinfonieorchester, Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra, Chicago Civic Orchestra, East Coast Chamber Orchestra, Belgian National Orchestra, and Orchestre Philharmonique Royal de Liège. His performances are noted for their depth, sensitivity, and clarity of interpretation.

Joshua is currently pursuing an Artist Diploma at the New England Conservatory, studying with Donald Weilerstein, where he also completed his Bachelor and Master of Music degrees. He previously studied with Almita and Roland Vamos at the Music Institute of Chicago. He performs on a Nicolò Amati violin from Cremona, dating from circa 1635–1640.

A brilliant baritone makes his Folsom Lake Symphony debut and adorable young choristers join the celebration. Revel in The Night Before Christmas, Carol of the Bells, It’s the Most Wonderful Time of the Year/Christmas Waltz, White Christmas, selections from The Nutcracker and Frozen, O Holy Night, Symph-Hanukkah, a Christmas Carol sing-along, and many more goodies!

Praised by Opera News as “utterly loveable, with an expansive sound and easy stage presence,” bass-baritone Jesús Vicente Murillo enjoys a versatile career spanning opera, musical theater, concerts, and recital work across North America. He made his professional debut at age eighteen with Michigan Opera Theatre.

Recent and upcoming engagements include appearances with Pittsburgh Opera, Opera Tampa, Opera San José, and National Sawdust. On the concert stage, he has performed with the Philadelphia Fringe Festival, The Pittsburgh Concert Chorale, and Symphony San Jose, and appeared in recital at Filoli Gardens.

Murillo made his Metropolitan Opera debut in the 2022–23 season and has since performed with companies including Portland Opera, Anchorage Opera, Nashville Opera, Opera Theatre of St. Louis, Santa Fe Opera, and Chautauqua Opera. A former resident artist with Utah Opera, he performed more than 450 shows during his tenure. Murillo holds degrees from the University of Michigan and McGill University, and is based in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.

MUSIC FROM THE HEART
Saturday, February 20, 2027, 7:30pm
Jason Vieaux, guitar

Wagner: Prelude to Act III of Lohengrin
Rodrigo: Concierto de Aranjuez
Tchaikovsky: Symphony No. 5

Grammy Award–winning guitarist Jason Vieaux headlines a program of sweeping Romantic expression and timeless melody. The evening opens with Wagner’s radiant Prelude to Lohengrin, followed by Rodrigo’s beloved Concierto de Aranjuez—a cornerstone of the guitar repertoire known for its haunting beauty and emotional depth. The concert concludes with Tchaikovsky’s Symphony No. 5, a powerful journey of fate, struggle, and triumph that remains one of the most compelling works in the symphonic canon.

Grammy Award–winning guitarist Jason Vieaux is internationally recognized for his virtuosity and expressive artistry. Praised by The New York Times as “virtuosic, flamboyant, dashing, and sometimes ineffably lyrical,” he is considered one of today’s leading classical guitarists.

A distinguished soloist, Vieaux has performed with major orchestras including The Cleveland Orchestra, Toronto Symphony Orchestra, Houston Symphony, and Nashville Symphony, and appears regularly in recital and chamber music with presenters such as San Francisco Performances, Chamber Music Society of Lincoln Center, and 92nd Street Y. His international engagements include performances at the Concertgebouw and Seoul Arts Center, among other leading venues worldwide. Vieaux’s extensive discography includes his Grammy Award-winning album Play (Azica Records, 2014), which the Huffington Post called “part of the revitalized interest in the classical guitar.” Vieaux is on the faculty of Curtis Institute of Music, where he co-founded the guitar department in 2011, and Cleveland Institute of Music, where he has taught for over 25 years. He performs on a guitar by Gernot Wagner (Frankfurt, 2013).

SYMPHONIC MASTERWORKS
Saturday, April 17, 2027, 7:30pm
Alexandre Moutouzkine, piano

Rachmaninoff: Piano Concerto No. 3
Bartók: Concerto for Orchestra

Pianist Alexandre Moutouzkine joins the orchestra for an evening of monumental orchestral writing and virtuosic brilliance. Rachmaninoff’s Piano Concerto No. 3 is a towering masterpiece of emotional depth and technical brilliance, renowned for its sweeping lyricism and formidable demands on the soloist.

The program concludes with Bartók’s Concerto for Orchestra, a dazzling showcase for every section of the ensemble. Full of rhythmic energy, vibrant colors, and folk-inspired themes, it transforms the orchestra into a series of featured soloists in one of the 20th century’s most dynamic symphonic works.

Russian-American pianist Alexandre Moutouzkine has performed internationally as a soloist, recitalist, and chamber musician, appearing with over 60 orchestras including the Cleveland Orchestra, Berlin Philharmonic, and Israel Philharmonic Orchestra. He has performed at major venues such as Carnegie Hall, Lincoln Center, the Kennedy Center, and Wigmore Hall, where his playing has been praised for its technical brilliance and expressive depth.

A top prizewinner in more than 20 international competitions, including the Naumburg International Piano Competition and the Van Cliburn International Piano Competition, he has also received international recognition for his recordings on Steinway & Sons. Moutouzkine serves on the faculty and co-chairs the piano department at the Manhattan School of Music and is a visiting professor at the École Normale de Musique de Paris.

Sacramento Master Singers
Stockton Chorale

Chris Brubeck: Rhythms of the Range
Beethoven: Symphony No. 9, “Choral”

A powerful season finale celebrating unity, humanity, and joy. The program opens with a premiere of Chris Brubeck’s Rhythms of the Range, a new orchestral work inspired by jazz icon Dave Brubeck and narrated with Dave’s legendary voice.

The second half features one of the most iconic works in all of classical music, Ludwig van Beethoven’s Symphony No. 9. Monumental in scale and emotional scope, the symphony moves from darkness to triumph, culminating in the famous “Ode to Joy” finale—a choral celebration of brotherhood, hope, and shared humanity.

This performance brings together an exceptional roster of vocal soloists, the Sacramento Master Singers, and the Stockton Chorale, joining forces with the orchestra in Beethoven’s powerful call for unity. The result is a stirring season finale that reflects the enduring power of music to connect and inspire.

Bianca Orsi, soprano
Northern California soprano Bianca Orsi is praised for her expressive performances in opera and concert. Recent highlights include Adina in L’elisir d’amore and Despina in Così fan tutte. She has appeared with Opera Theatre of St. Louis and Opera San José and has performed internationally in Mexico. Orsi holds degrees from USC and the San Francisco Conservatory of Music.

Monica Danilov, mezzo-soprano
Returning to our stage, Monica Danilov is an internationally acclaimed artist with local roots. She holds degrees in vocal performance from the Manhattan School of Music and the Conservatory of Music at Brooklyn College. Her career has taken her to renowned venues worldwide, including the Kennedy Center, Avery Fisher Hall, the Cairo Opera House, and stages across South America.

Ashley Faatoalia, tenor
Ashley Faatoalia is a Los Angeles–born tenor acclaimed for his soaring voice and warm stage presence. A champion of new works, he has collaborated with leading composers and performed with companies including LA Opera and Oakland Symphony. Recent roles include Turandot and Omar. He appears on film and studio recordings and serves as a teaching artist with LA Opera Connects.

Cedric Berry, bass-baritone
Cedric Berry returns to dazzle our audiences again with his powerful, agile voice and commanding presence. He has performed title roles in Gianni Schicchi, Faust, and Don Giovanni, and appeared with the Pasadena Pops  Orchestra, LA Philharmonic, and Telemann Chamber Orchestra of Japan. A Metropolitan Opera Western Region Competition winner, he studied at Interlochen and the University of Southern California.