Reviews

Monterey Symphony begins its 2025-2026 season with another of its popular Love Letter concerts at the Outdoor Forest Theater this month, this time a tribute to the magic and music of Paris. Associate conductor Brad Hogarth leads the ensemble in a program of French favorites, including Offenbach's exuberant "Can Can," "Fauré's dulcet Pavane," Gershwin's "An American in Paris," and film music from "Beauty and the Beast," "Ratatouille" and "Amélie."

Three great vocalists join this program. Love Letter favorite Malinda DeRouen sings Édith Piaf classics, "La Foule" and "La Vie en rose." Bernard Holcomb joins Leberta Lorál for a "Phantom of the Opera" duet, and Lorál is showcased in Bizet's "Habanera" and Michel Legrand's "I Will Wait for You."

Love Letter to Paris will be presented Sept. 16-17 at 6:30 p.m. at the Forest Theater in Carmel at the corner of Mountain View and Santa Rita Avenue. Tickets are available at www.montereysymphony.org or by calling (831) 646- 8511.

The regular subscription series at Carmel's Sunset Center begins next month on Oct. 18 & 29 with music director and conductor Jayce Ogren leading the orchestra in a program highlighted by Rachmaninoff's Symphony No. 2 and a jazzy world premiere with returning saxophone soloist Timothy McAlister.

The following month Ogren will conduct Jonathan Bailey Holland's "Dream Elegy," Edvard Grieg's Piano Concerto in A minor with soloist Orion Weiss, and Anton Bruckner's Symphony No. 9. In February ticketholders will enjoy works by Mendelssohn, Mozart, Haydn, and Schbert's Mass in G major. March brings Tchaikovsky's Violin Concerto, Sibelius's Symphony No. 7, and a commissioned work by Marina Lopez. The season continues in April with the world premier of John Wineglass's clarinet concerto "Democracy" featuring soloist Mariam Adam, along with works of Frank Zappa and Beethoven. The final program celebrates the approach of the nation's 250th birthday with works by Leonard Bernstein, Aaron Copland and William Dawson.

For tickets and information see www.montereysymphony.org or by calling (831) 646-8511.