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DIARY: Thursday, July 16, 2026

by Stephanie Manning

HAPPENING TODAY:

It’s a big day for both Ohio Light Opera, who open Gilbert and Sullivan’s The Yeomen of the Guard at 2:00 pm, and The Cleveland Orchestra, who open this year’s Summers at Severance series at 7:00 pm (pictured). Semyon Bychkov conducts and local favorite Garrick Ohlsson performs Rachmaninoff’s Piano Concerto No. 1, along with works by Smetana and Dvořák.

Also in the evening, the Medina Concert Series presents a free program of chamber ensemble, voice, and organ at St. Paul’s Episcopal Church at 7:00 pm.

At 7:30 pm, Ohio Light Opera completes its double-show day with a performance of Damn Yankees and the Oberlin Organ Academy presents a free faculty recital from Kirk M. Rich.

TODAY’S ALMANAC:

by Daniel Hathaway

Belgian composer, violinist and conductor Eugène Ysaÿe was born on this date in 1858 in Liège. His solo sonatas are popular encore pieces, and you can see why in James Ehnes’ performance of his Third Sonata on an occasion that the YouTube uploader hasn’t bothered to identify. Any clues? [Read More…]

Pre•Views & Features

Karen Gomyo returns to Blossom with Shostakovich

by Mike Telin

When violinist Karen Gomyo made her Cleveland Orchestra debut, she brought the Mendelssohn concerto. When she returned in 2014 she delivered a gripping performance of Saint-Saëns’s third concerto.

On Saturday, July 18th, Gomyo will heard in Shostakovich’s haunting Violin Concerto No. 1. The 7:00 pm Blossom Music Center program led by Semyon Bychkov, will also include Brahms’ Symphony No. 4. Tickets are available online.

I spoke to the violinist by phone and began our conversation by asking her to share her history with the Concerto.

Karen Gomyo: It’s a piece that has impacted me profoundly since I first heard it when I was about 13 . I had really immersed myself in the world of Shostakovich at that time. My entry into this concerto was the recording by David Oistrakh. I was just captivated by his playing and by the music.

[Read on…]

Garrick Ohlsson to open Summers at Severance

by Mike Telin

Since his debut in 1975, Garrick Ohlsson has appeared frequently with The Cleveland Orchestra, and his magical performances have fittingly earned him the title of fan-favorite. “There’s no place I’d rather play,” the pianist said during a Zoom conversation.

On July 16 at 7:00 pm, Ohlsson will make his 27th appearance with the Orchestra when he opens the Summers at Severance series with Sergei Rachmaninoff’s Piano Concerto No. 1. Under the direction of Semyon Bychkov, the program also includes Bedřich Smetana’s “The Moldau” from Má vlast and Antonín Dvořák’s Symphony No. 8. Tickets are available online.

Ohlsson recalled that he was introduced to Rachmaninoff’s first concerto as a kid. “Back in the age of LPs, there was a RCA Victor issue of Rachmaninoff himself playing the Paganini Rhapsody. On the other side was Concerto Number 1. It had a marvelous cover with a wintery scene of the back of an elderly woman trudging through the snow. And above it was this gloomy face of Rachmaninoff. That’s when I first heard the piece — I was ten years old and I fell in love with it.”

[Read on…]

Tri-C JazzFest returns for 2026

by Ben Giesen

The 47th edition of the Tri-C JazzFest will be taking place at Playhouse Square from Thursday, June 25th through Saturday, June 27th. With eleven ticketed indoor events and numerous free outdoor performances and festivities, this celebration of Cleveland’s musical heritage will offer no shortage of entertainment.

The indoor line-up will feature a unique group of musicians ranging from jazz giants like bassist Ron Carter, who has shared the stage with Miles Davis, “Cannonball” Adderly, and Thelonious Monk — among many others — to rising stars like Durand Burnarr, who has been gaining significant traction in the neo soul world since receiving a Grammy Award for his 2025 album, Bloom.

Neo soul fans will also want to hear bassist MonoNeon as well as Chris Dave & The Drumheads featuring Stokely. World renowned jazz vocalist and lyricist, Kurt Elling, will be performing music from his ongoing duo album series, Wildflowers, with pianist Fred Hersch. Keep an eye out for Cleveland’s own Dominick Farinacci and Lauren Talese who will be performing in the Hanna Theater on the 26th at 6 PM and on the 27th at 7 PM.

[Read on…]

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