Opening Night: Overture to NOI+F with John Morris Russell | NOI Philharmonic
Opening Night: Overture to NOI+F with John Morris Russell | NOI Philharmonic
About the Event
French for “opening,” the overture is an essential form within the orchestral repertoire originally intended to begin a ballet, opera or oratorio. Today, it is common to hear an overture at the beginning of an orchestra concert–but in 2026, NOI+F is kicking off the festival with a unique concert exclusively highlighting this instrumental prelude! Conductor of the Cincinnati Pops Orchestra and long-time friend of NOI+F, John Morris Russell returns to lead a riveting program that combines perennial overtures with those more rarely performed. Composers include Beethoven, Brahms, Coleridge-Taylor, Arturo Márquez and more.
Program
Selections to include:
- Beethoven: Egmont Overture
- Verdi: Nabucco Overture
- Brahms: Academic Festival Overture
- Tchaikovsky: Capriccio italien
- Marquez: Danzon No. 2
Pre-Concert Conversation
Join us at 6:30PM in the NOI+F SPARK! Lounge for Overtures with Elizabeth Massey.
National Orchestral Institute + Festival
This event is part of the National Orchestral Institute + Festival. NOI+F brings together aspiring orchestral musicians from across the country for a month of dynamic music- making and professional exploration. Chosen through a rigorous, cross-country audition process, these young artists present passionate and thrilling performances of adventurous repertoire at The Clarice Smith Performing Arts Center (The Clarice). Internationally recognized conducting luminary Marin Alsop was appointed first-ever music director of the National Orchestral Institute + Festival in 2020. As music director, Alsop leads the NOI+F Conducting Academy and conducts multiple concerts at The Clarice each June.
View the full festival lineup here.
NOI+F Package Savings!
Purchase tickets to three or more NOI Philharmonic concerts in a single transaction to receive a 20% discount on regular price tickets. Please note that the 20% discount does not apply to additional concert ticket purchases.
Support for NOI+F
The National Orchestral Institute + Festival is supported in part by the Maryland State Arts Council, The Clark-Winchcole Foundation, and The Marinus and Minna B. Koster Foundation.