BRIDGEWATER, Va. — The Richmond Symphony delivered a dynamic performance of music from classical masterpieces to contemporary favorites at the local Sipe Center on Oct. 5, highlighting its goal to enhance the cultural landscape of the region.
Sponsored by the Bridgewater Retirement Community, the performance featured a quartet of musicians: Jeannette Jang, Alyssa Evans, Bryan Evans and Adam Jang. These performers, representing the Richmond Symphony’s 70-member ensemble, brought the works of Central Virginia’s largest performing arts organization to the local Sipe Center.
Local resident Rachel McGregor commented on the cultural scene in Bridgewater, “Culture, it’s lacking here,” McGregor said. The Sipe Center, which hosted the quartet’s performance, aims to address this gap; “When they bring in things like that, they contribute quite a bit,” McGregor said.
The program featured a blend of genres spanning over 10 pieces that ranged from classical to contemporary. The quartet opened with three movements from Wolfgang Mozart’s “Divertimento No. 1” and continued with pieces including Carlos Gardel’s “Por Una Cabeza,” Antonio “Vivaldi’s Summer” and Charlie Daniels Band’s “The Devil Went Down to Georgia.”
Following the performance, the quartet stayed on stage to pack up their instruments. “Thanks for coming to our little town!” an audience member said. “We love it here!” Evans said.
The programming featured at the Sipe Center can be attributed to Valentina Peleggi, who since becoming the Richmond Symphony’s music director in July of 2020 has focused on expanding the Symphony’s cultural impact. When choosing music, concerts and performance locations, “We try always to understand what is the kind of audience, not only that we have, but that we would like to reach and have,” Peleggi said.
Originally from Florence, Italy, Peleggi was living in Brazil when she was informed of the music director position opening in Richmond. When asking others about Richmond, her mentor, Marin Alsop, encouraged her to apply; “[T]hey were the first community that gave me a chance before anybody understood my talent… that’s the place you want to apply,” Alsop said.
Looking ahead, Peleggi is focused on finding the orchestra’s “sound,” which she views as a priority. According to Peleggi, this involves questioning many things about the organization, including the Symphony’s image, values, partnerships and community impact.
