April 30, 2026: Host Christa Wessel welcomes Portland Opera; and pianist Orli Shaham to the Irving Levin Performance Hall.
Portland Opera presents an exclusive preview of their production of Verdi’s Requiem, featuring the Portland Opera Chorus and Orchestra. Then, superstar pianist Orli Shaham returns to perform an unforgettable recital ahead of her concert with the Vancouver Symphony Orchestra.
Tune in Thursday at 3:00 PM PT at 89.9 FM in Portland, OR or from anywhere in the world on our website.
ABOUT
Verdi’s Requiem is music that reaches directly into the soul. It is a powerful, emotional journey through life, death, and the hope for something greater. Written as a tribute to his dear friend Alessandro Manzoni, the first of Verdi’s late masterpieces carries the weight of his deep personal loss yet speaks universally to the struggles we all face: the pain of grief, the fear of the unknown, and the search for peace.
Portland Opera has been bringing opera to life since the company’s founding in 1964. The first production was Johann Strauss II’s Die Fledermaus, which opened on November 7, 1964, at the Leodis V. McDaniel High School (then known as Madison High School). This first season also included Puccini’s beloved masterpiece, La Bohème, which (to date) has been the most performed opera in the company’s history.
Today, you can still find Portland Opera singers in parks and festivals around town, with their Opera a la Cart performances. Learn more at portlandopera.org.
A consummate musician recognized for her grace, subtlety, and brilliance, pianist Orli Shaham is hailed by critics on four continents. The New York Times called her a “brilliant pianist,” The Chicago Tribune referred to her as “a first-rate Mozartean,” and London’s Guardian said Ms. Shaham’s playing at the Proms was “perfection.”
Orli Shaham has performed with many of the major orchestras around the world, and has appeared in recital internationally, from Carnegie Hall to the Sydney Opera House. She is Artistic Director of Pacific Symphony’s chamber series Café Ludwig in California since 2007 and was Artist in Residence at Vancouver Symphony (USA) in 2022-2024.
Keep reading at orlishaham.com.
This season the Vancouver Symphony Orchestra celebrates 47 years of providing symphonic music to the community. Its success is due to the talent and commitment of the early conductors and musicians who provided its foundation. Visit vancouversymphony.org for more.
