Mercury Chamber Orchestra Announces 2024-2025 Concert Season, Antoine Plante 24th Season as Artistic Director
02 April 2024
Houston, TX — April 2, 2024
Mercury Chamber Orchestra proudly announces its highly anticipated 2024-2025 season, offering a dynamic and diverse series of concerts that will inspire and delight music lovers across the city. As an organization driven by the mission of bringing vibrant, historically informed performances to the Houston community, Mercury continues to blend classical tradition with innovative programming to enrich, entertain, and educate audiences.
Mercury's vision is rooted in expanding the reach of classical music, engaging new listeners, and cultivating a deep connection between musicians and audiences through intimate, powerful performances. This season promises to deliver a series of remarkable events, each crafted to showcase the orchestra's versatility, passion, and commitment to artistic excellence.
This season’s repertoire showcases the orchestra’s ability to blend tradition with modern interpretation, celebrating the works of Boccherini, Bach, Vivaldi, Mendelssohn, and Clara Schumann, while introducing audiences to vibrant Venezuelan folk music. Each concert is carefully curated to highlight Mercury’s signature approach to performance, combining historical authenticity with artistic innovation.
2024-2025 Downtown Series at Cullen Theater, Wortham Center
1 October 12, 2024 — Boccherini’s Night in Madrid.
Featuring Elinor Frey, cello.
An evening filled with the Spanish charm of Luigi Boccherini’s most vibrant compositions, including A Night in Madrid and La Casa Del Diavolo, this concert brings the festive spirit of 18th-century Madrid to life with fiery rhythms and dance.
2 November 9, 2024 — English Romantic Strings.
A journey through the English romantic tradition with works by Vaughan Williams, Elgar, Warlock, and Holst. Mercury’s strings shine in pieces like Elgar’s Elegy and Vaughan Williams’ lush Fantasia on a Theme by Thomas Tallis.
3 December 7, 2024 — Christmas with Nicole Heaston!.
Featuring Nicole Heaston, soprano.
Usher in the holiday season with sacred arias by Handel, Bach, Fauré and Gounod, performed by celebrated soprano Nicole Heaston. A concert to lift the spirit and inspire joy.
4 January 11, 2025 — Vivaldi, Handel & Bach.
Featuring Jonathan Godfrey (violin), Nate Helgeson (bassoon), and David Dickey (oboe).
This baroque showcase will feature stunning concertos, including Vivaldi’s Concerto for Bassoon and Bach’s elegant Suite No. 1. The perfect marriage of virtuosity and orchestral beauty.
5 February 8-9, 2025 — Loving Clara Schumann.
An emotionally charged, fully staged production that tells the story of Clara Schumann, the beloved 19th-century pianist and composer. Through music, dance, and powerful performances, audiences will experience her life and her relationships with Robert Schumann and Johannes Brahms.
6 March 22, 2025 — Bach’s St. John Passion.
Featuring Nicholas Phan as Evangelist and the Mercury Singers, directed by Betsy Cook Weber.
A profound and moving interpretation of Bach’s iconic St. John Passion, this concert will delve into the emotional depths of the biblical story with expert musicianship and vocal mastery.
7 May 17, 2025 — Mozart & Mendelssohn.
Featuring Kerson Leong, violin.
The season concludes with an exhilarating performance of Mendelssohn’s Violin Concerto and his uplifting Symphony No. 4 (“Italian”), capturing the energy and elegance of classical Europe.
2024-2025 Neighborhood Series: Bringing the Music to You
Mercury’s Neighborhood Series invites audiences to enjoy the orchestra’s exceptional musicianship in intimate, accessible venues across Houston, from the Museum of Fine Arts, Houston (MFAH) to Dosey Doe.
1 October 26-31, 2024 — Classical Piano Trios.
Jonathan Godfrey (violin), Elinor Frey (cello), and Mario Aschauer (fortepiano) perform stunning works by Haydn and Mozart bringing chamber music to life with grace and precision.
2 December 14-19, 2024 — English Baroque Christmas.
Mercury Singers bring the magic of English Baroque music to the holiday season with carols and festive works that celebrate the richness of this tradition.
3 April 5-10, 2025 — Venezuelan Folk Music.
Featuring Alexis Cárdenas, violin.
Mercury explores the lively, passionate rhythms of Venezuelan folk music in this thrilling concert. A fusion of classical technique and traditional melodies, this program promises to be a vibrant cultural journey.
Miller Outdoor Theatre Special Event: Vivaldi & Telemann
• August 31, 2024 — Mercury kicks off the season with an exhilarating performance at Houston’s beloved Miller Outdoor Theatre, featuring recorder virtuoso Vincent Lauzer in an evening of Vivaldi and Telemann.
For further information, visit mercuryhouston.org.
About Mercury Chamber Orchestra.
Founded with the mission to bring historically informed performances to life, Mercury Chamber Orchestra redefines the concert-going experience with vibrant interpretations of the classical repertoire. Through innovative programming and community outreach, Mercury aims to make classical music accessible and engaging for all audiences.