DEFIANCE
SATURDAY, DECEMBER 6, 2025 - 7:30 PM Anne S. Richardson Auditorium HOME 2025/2026
Eric Mahl, Music Director
Known for his contagious energy and passion, Mr. Mahl has solidified his place as one of the most exciting conductors of his generation. His performances captivate audiences, and through these unique musical experiences he unleashes music’s immense power to bring positive change to the world. He is dedicated to bringing music to life for everyone, believing that it is a necessary part of a joyous and fulfilling existence. Mr. Mahl is the Music Director with the Ridgefield Symphony Orchestra, Northport Symphony Orchestra, Philharmonia Orchestra at Third Street, Opera Acadia at the Bar Harbor Music Festival, and Western Connecticut Youth Orchestra, as well as faculty/festival ensemble conductor at the Charles Ives Music Festival.
Maestro Mahl is looking forward to a 2025-26 season that includes: engagements with violinist Aubree Oliverson, marimbist Ji Su Jung, flutist Katie Althen, singer/songwriter Judy Collins and many more internationally renowned musicians; Beethoven Symphony No. 9 with the Ridgefield Symphony Orchestra; performances of numerous contemporary works including pieces by Missy Mazzoli and Kevin Puts; and countless other exciting performances over the course of the season and into the summer, as he returns to the Bar Harbor Music Festival as Music Director of Opera Acadia and as conductor with the prestigious Charles Ives Music Festival. Maestro Mahl consistently conducts, leads and performs with ensembles, and soloists, comprised of world-class musicians from orchestras ranging from the New York Philharmonic, Metropolitan Opera Orchestra, Houston Symphony, Baltimore Symphony, and Orpheus Chamber Orchestra among others. He has collaborated with with Grammy Winning artists including Jennifer Koh, Michelle Cann, Brandon Patrick George, Ranaan Meyer, the Los Angeles Guitar Quartet, Judy Collins and others. Mr. Mahl has become known for his unique and innovative programs, highlighting the rich diversity of the world, providing accessibility and contextualization, and bringing the music to the people in every way possible. He is constantly searching for meaningful music that is under represented in the current cannon. Most recently, Mr. Mahl’s orchestral arrangements of Nathaniel Dett’s Piano music was given its world premier with the Northport Symphony, and a fresh interpretation of Florence Price’s The Oak with the Greenwich Village Orchestra was met with thunderous applause. As a fervent supporter of new works, Mr. Mahl frequently conducts various new music ensembles in the Greater NYC area. He has conducted more than twenty world premieres and has commissioned nine pieces for full orchestra, as well as world premieres of fully-staged operas, ballet, and countless small and large ensemble pieces of all genres and instrumentations. This busy musician also can be heard in unique music lecture series, library workshop series, inter- active children and family concerts, outreach programs, and concerts that explore the history and culture of a particular communities. As a passionate educator, Mr. Mahl has personally taught all ages and instruments at public and private schools throughout the five boroughs of New York City, and frequently works with student musicians from under-served communities. Mr. Mahl received his Bachelor of Music Degree from Ithaca College, and continued his studies at Universite de Montreal and the State University of New York at Fredonia. He has studied with some of the foremost conducting pedagogues in the country including Marin Alsop, James Ross, Harold Farberman, and Larry Rachleff and has participated in workshops in the United States, Canada and Europe. Mr. Mahl plays trumpet and piano, and in his very limited free time continues to play in orchestral and chamber music programs. When not on the podium, his passions extend to fitness, tennis, and spending time in nature. ericmahl.com
Aubree Oliverson, Violin Praised for her evocative lyricism and joyful, genuine approach, young American violinist Aubree Oliverson is proving to be one of the most compelling artists of her generation, distinguishing herself with clear, honest, and colorful performances, which have been described as “powerful… brimming with confidence and joy” by the (Miami New Times).
Acclaimed as a “masterful” soloist (San Diego Story), Aubree has soloed with the Chamber Orchestra of New York at Carnegie Hall, Utah Symphony, Peace Orchestra Project, Royal Liverpool Philharmonic), Columbus Symphony, Orquesta Sinfónica de Navarra, North Carolina Symphony, Pacific Symphony, Des Moines Symphony, Amarillo Symphony, Moldavian Philharmonic, Excelentia Madrid, Slovak Sinfonietta, Rousse Philharmonic Orchestra, New Haven Symphony, Puerto Rico Symphony, the Kontrapunktus Baroque Ensemble and previously with the Ridgefield Symphony Orchestra as well, pairing the Barber and Esmail violin concertos. Passionate about and at ease with all periods of classical repertoire, Ms. Oliverson is committed both to performing the beloved standard works, as well as bringing lesser-known pieces into their rightful spotlight: “I play music that speaks to me regardless of how often it’s already being played, rediscovering lost masterpieces and composers who deserve more attention, paired with my own fresh take on the classics. It’s my hope that if I love a piece, someone in the audience will too.” Aubree is dynamic recitalist and sensitive chamber musician as well, and has has collaborated with world-renowned artists such as Robert McDuffie at the Aspen Music Festival, Gil Shaham on tour in Mexico, Renaud Capuçon in France, Joseph Silverstein in Salt Lake City, and Lynn Harrell, Orli Shaham, Robert Chen, and Andrew Marriner in Los Angeles. Ms. Oliverson was awarded the 2023 Francis Rosen Prize at the Colburn Conservatory, where she also obtained her Bachelor’s Degree and Artist Diploma. Aubree plays a very fine Giovanni Battista Guadagnini violin, kindly loaned to her by Irene R. Miller through the Beare's International Violin Society, and a Jean “Grand” Adam bow on loan from the Metzler Violin Shop. aubreeoliverson.com
Salvatore Di Vittorio, Composer Salvatore Di Vittorio is an internationally respected, published composer and conductor, recognized for his uniquely lyrical, melodic orchestral music “following in the footsteps of Ottorino Respighi” – the revered 20th century composer who inspired great composers in both classical and film music. In 2008, the great nieces of Respighi, Elsa and Gloria Pizzoli, entrusted Di Vittorio with the restoration of several early
orchestral works, including the completion of the first Concerto for violin (in A Major). With his profound natural gift of melody throughout all his memorable music, Di Vittorio’s forte of orchestration and arrangement is evidenced not only through his own original works but numerous elaborations across the spectrum from Claude Debussy to John Barry. A multifaceted career, doubling as an orchestral conductor, as Music Director of Chamber Orchestra of New York, further distinguishes Salvatore Di Vittorio from most orchestral composers today. BIOGRAPHY Born in Palermo, Italy, composer and conductor Salvatore Di Vittorio is heir to the Italian neoclassical orchestral tradition “following in the footsteps of Ottorino Respighi” – Luigi Verdi, Bologna Philharmonic Academy. In 2008, the great nieces of Respighi, Elsa and Gloria Pizzoli, entrusted Di Vittorio with the restoration of several early orchestral works, including the completion of the first Concerto for violin (in A Major). With his work as Music Director of Chamber Orchestra of New York and acclaimed Naxos recordings “Di Vittorio has been recognized internationally among the leading scholars and interpreters of Respighi’s music” – Giornale di Sicilia. His works have been commissioned and premiered (often under his baton) by such orchestras as London Philharmonic, San Diego Symphony, Detroit Symphony, Chamber Orchestra of Philadelphia, Orchestra Sinfonica Siciliana, Teatro Alla Scala of Milan, and Teatro Massimo Opera of Palermo. n 2023, Di Vittorio received an Award of Excellence for Best Score at IndieFest Film Festival, for his orchestration, arrangement and conducting on his first film Transformation directed by Nancy Hamilton. He has received exclusive projects involving the music of Maurice Ravel (in partnership with his publisher Durand) and John Barry (under his family estate). salvatoredivittorio.com
DEFIANCE Saturday, December 6, 2025 - 7:30 PM Anne S. Richardson Auditorium Sponsored by Joan Payden Payden & Rygel Investment Management
Eric Mahl, Conductor Conductor Chair Sponsored by Dan and Annette O’Brien & Jeanette Horan Aubree Oliverson, Violin Huapango José Pablo Moncayo (1912-1958) Viaggi de Enea Salvatore Di Vittorio (b. 1957-) I. Da Una Tempesta di Mare (Troia) II. Bello delle Muse (Grecia) III. Canto D’Amore, Enea e Didone (Cartagine) IV. Tarantella e Inno (Sicilia-Roma) Introduction and Rondo Capriccioso Camille Saint-Saëns (1835-1921) Aubree Oliverson, Violin Intermission Symphony No. 2 in D major, Op. 73 Johannes Brahms (1833-1897) I. Allegro non troppo II. Adagio non troppo III. Allegretto grazioso (quasi andantino) IV. Allegro con spirito
Ridgefield Symphony Orchestra Musicians Performing the December 6, 2025 Concert VIOLIN 1 Rachel Handman, Concertmaster Gabriela Rengel, Assistant Concertmaster Kathleen Thomson Corinne Metter Krystyana Czeiner
OBOE Keve Wilson, Principal Dorothy Darlington ENGLISH HORN Dorothy Darlington CLARINET Julie Levene, Principal Steven Cohen BASSOON Lisa Alexander, Principal Jacqueline Sifford Joyner HORN Sara Della Posta, Principal Marjorie Seymour Callaghan Darlene Kaukoranta Kathleen Ditmer TRUMPET Robert Patrick, Principal Nicholas Catino
James Czeiner Margaret Hill Silvia Padegs-Grendze Claudia Hafer Tondi Mark Kushnir VIOLIN 2 Beryl Diamond Chacon, Principal Lori Miller Abbott, Assistant Principal Hafez Taghavi Chie Yoshinaka Matejek Lawrence Watson Mila Gufeld Fong Fong Joshua Daniels VIOLA Suzanne Corey-Sahlin, Principal Elizabeth Handman, Assistant Principal Amy Jones Isabela Quines Denise Cridge Naomi Graf CELLO Nicholas Hardie, Principal Cheryl Labrecque, Assistant Principal Chris Santos Andrew Woodruff Gunnar Sahlin Cassey Stypowany BASS Kevin Callaghan, Principal Joseph Russo Wendy Kain Barone Jim Andrews FLUTE Allison Hughes, Principal Elizabeth Kitson Cecilia Burns
Jerome Burns TROMBONE Keith Green, Principal Topher Logan James Marbury TUBA Samantha Lake
TIMPANI Lee Caron PERCUSSION Glenn Rhian
Russell Fisher Sean Charles HARP Amanda Evans Carabase CELESTE Kathleen Theisen
RSO Matching Gift Campaign
RSO at the Ridgefield Playhouse 9.27.25
The RSO Board of Directors has initiated a Matching Gift Challenge in support of the 2025/26 Annual Campaign. With 100% participation, each board member has generously contributed to double the impact of YOUR donation. Every dollar contributed will be matched dollar for dollar up to $20,000!
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MUSIC AT THE MANSION Sunday, December 14, 2025 Lounsbury House 4:00 PM wine & cheese | 4:30 PM concert 316 Main Street, Ridgefield, CT Hafez Taghavi & Friends String Quartet
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RSO in Concert FEBRUARY 7, 2026 - 7:30 PM David F. Clune Auditorium
HOME 2025/2026 SEASON
Ji Su Jung, Marimba The School for Scandal Overture - Samuel Barber Marimba Concerto - Kevin Puts
Black, Brown and Beige - Duke Ellington An American in Paris - George Gershwin
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