PLYMOUTH, MA — The Phil is opening its 111th season with a night at the opera—but not quite as you know it.
On Saturday, September 19, 2026, at 7:30 PM, the Plymouth Philharmonic Orchestra takes the stage at the Plymouth South High School Performing Arts Center for an exhilarating evening featuring four operatic masterpieces and a special world premiere. Under the direction of Conductor Steven Karidoyanes, the concert will feature internationally acclaimed violinist Irina Muresanu in a program filled with drama, danger, passion, heroics—and plenty of virtuosic fireworks.
From Rossini’s epic Overture to William Tell and Borodin’s exotic Polovtsian Dances from Prince Igor to Sarasate’s dazzling Fantasy on Bizet’s Carmen and Gershwin’s sweeping Fantasy on Porgy & Bess, arranged by Star Trek theme composer Alexander Courage, the evening offers audiences four unforgettable opportunities to lose themselves in some of the most beloved music ever written.
“This is a program overflowing with color, excitement, and extraordinary melodies,” said Karidoyanes. “Each piece brings its own sense of drama and personality, and having Irina Muresanu with us to perform these spectacular violin fantasies makes this an especially thrilling way to begin our new season.”
Both the season and the concert begin with a special premiere on the Phil stage: Elena
Roussanova’s fiery A Festival Fanfare. This music was rewritten by the composer at the request of conductor Karidoyanes, expanding its instrumentation to full symphony orchestra from its original version for just brass and percussion.
Muresanu, praised for her passionate and dynamic performances, will take center stage for Sarasate’s celebrated fantasy based on themes from Bizet’s Carmen, as well as the fantasy on Gershwin’s beloved Porgy & Bess. Together, the works provide a virtuosic showcase for one of today’s most compelling violinists.
Ticket holders are also invited to arrive early for a free pre-concert talk with Steven Karidoyanes at 6:30 PM, offering additional insight into the evening’s music and composers.
Tickets are $40 and $75 and are available through the Phil.
Concert Details
OPENING NIGHT: Fiddler of the Opera Saturday, September 19, 2026 | 7:30 PM Plymouth South High School Performing Arts Center 490 Long Pond Road, Plymouth, MA
Pre-Concert Talk with Steven Karidoyanes
6:30 PM | Free for ticket holders
About the Plymouth Philharmonic Orchestra
The Plymouth Philharmonic Orchestra is a premier non-profit cultural institution in Massachusetts and the Orchestra-in-Residence with the Town of Plymouth at Memorial Hall. Dedicated to artistic excellence and community enrichment, the orchestra offers world-class performances, innovative outreach programs, and strong community partnerships. Now launching its 111th season, The
Phil’s mission is to create music and educational experiences that engage people of all ages and from all walks because we believe music inspires curiosity, enables connection, and provides joy.
For more information, visit plymouthphil.org or call 508-746-8008.
Contact:
Melissa Arp, Marketing Manger 508-746-8008
m.arp@plymouthphil.org