Stars of the Future: Tchaikovsky Romeo & Juliet Overture-Fantasy

TCHAIKOVSKY: Romeo & Juliet Overture-Fantasy

Length: c. 20 minutes 

DE FALLA: Three Dances from The Three-Cornered Hat

Length: c. 13 minutes 

Strings Concerto TBA

          Featuring the winner of the 2026 Ann & Charles Eisemann International Young Artist Competition 

Overview

Explore the realms of love, conflict, and tradition through three masterful works as we celebrate the enduring power of music and dance. 

Tchaikovsky’s “Romeo and Juliet” sets the tone with its emotional depth, inspired by Shakespeare’s tale of tragic love. Tchaikovsky infused his personal sorrows and artistic vision into this piece, influenced by the profound impact of Eduard Zak’s tragic death. Opening with a stirring introduction, the music explores themes of conflict and doomed romance. The love between the star-crossed lovers soars beautifully before succumbing to familial animosity. This masterpiece has resonated through countless films and shows, securing its place in cultural history. 

Dive into the vibrant world of Manuel de Falla’s ballet, “The Three-Cornered Hat,” a groundbreaking work that transformed the dance landscape. Drawing on traditional Spanish dance techniques and based on Pedro Antonio de Alarcón’s novel, de Falla’s creation dazzles with dynamic energy. Envisioned by Diaghilev and brought to life by Massine and Picasso, this cultural journey across Spain culminated in an unforgettable debut at London’s Alhambra Theatre. Prepare to be swept away by music and movement that pulse with life, evoking the spirit of Spain with every note and step. 

The strings concerto, to be announced, will feature the winner of the 2026 Ann & Charles Eisemann International Young Artist Competition.

Join us for an enchanting evening filled with emotional resonance, cultural richness, and extraordinary talent.  

Program Details

PYOTR ILYICH TCHAIKOVSKY (1840-1893) 

Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky drew profound inspiration from Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet, channeling his affinity for tragic love stories into a 20-minute fantasy-overture. Encouraged by Mily Balakirev in 1869, Tchaikovsky embarked on this musical exploration amidst a deeply emotional connection with Eduard Zak. Zak’s tragic suicide left a lasting impact on Tchaikovsky, evident in his poignant diary reflections. 

This blend of personal sorrow and artistic vision resulted in a masterpiece that vividly captures the essence of Shakespeare’s narrative. The piece begins with a stirring introduction, leading into themes of intense conflict and doomed romance. The love between Romeo and Juliet soars beautifully before being crushed by familial animosity, eventually transforming into a serene, transcendent finale that echoes love’s enduring spirit. 

A decade later, in 1880, Tchaikovsky revised the ending, subtitling it “Overture-Fantasia.” Completed by September 10, it premiered on May 1, 1886, in Tbilisi, Georgia, conducted by Mikhail Ippolitov-Ivanov. 

The overture’s iconic love theme has since resonated across numerous films and television shows, including Columbo, The Simpsons, A Christmas Story, The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air, Sesame Street, and The Three Musketeers, among many others. 

MANUEL DE FALLA (1876-1946) 

The ballet The Three-Cornered Hat (El sombrero de tres picos or Le tricorne) was a groundbreaking collaboration between choreographer Léonide Massine and composer Manuel de Falla. Commissioned by Sergei Diaghilev, it premiered in 1919 and was notable for its authentic Spanish setting and the adaptation of traditional Spanish dance techniques, diverging from classical ballet norms. 

Initially, de Falla composed music for a two-scene pantomime titled El corregidor y la molinera (The Magistrate and the Miller’s Wife), based on Pedro Antonio de Alarcón’s novel and adapted by María Martínez Sierra. This work debuted at Madrid’s Teatro Eslava on April 6, 1917. 

Sergei Diaghilev, introduced to de Falla by Igor Stravinsky during the Ballets Russes’ 1916 visit to Spain, envisioned incorporating Spanish influences into his productions. Although he sought to use de Falla’s Noches en los jardines de España, he was only granted rights to El corregidor y la molinera. 

To authentically capture Spanish choreography, Diaghilev and Léonide Massine traveled across Spain in July 1917, accompanied by teenage dancer Félix Fernández García. Their journey took them to cities like Zaragoza, Toledo, and Granada, immersing them in local dance traditions. Over the following months, Massine, Pablo Picasso, and de Falla collaborated on the choreography, sets, and music. After some delays, the ballet debuted at the Alhambra Theatre in London on July 22, 1919. 

Guest Artist

Winner of the 2026 Ann & Charles Eisemann International Young Artist Competition for Strings. 

Each year, the Richardson Symphony Orchestra showcases the winner of the Ann & Charles Eisemann International Young Artist Competition, which alternates annually between strings and piano.

This prestigious competition highlights exceptional young musicians, offering the grand prize winner a $5,000 award and the opportunity to perform with the RSO.

In 2026, the competition will feature string players from around the world, with the winner taking the stage with the orchestra on March 7, 2026. Who will rise to the occasion? Tune in to find out! The semi-final and final round will be held on Saturday, January 10, 2026, at First United Methodist Church Richardson (Richardson, TX, USA).