Volta Redonda Philharmonic Orchestra kicks off 2025 season with sponsorship from CSN

The Volta Redonda Philharmonic Orchestra (OFVR) opens its 2025 season on Tuesday, March 18, at 7:30 p.m., at the Maestro Franklin Carvalho Junior Theater in Volta Redonda. The concert, sponsored by CSN, will be conducted by maestro Nilton Soares and will feature pianist Simone Leitão as soloist.

The program brings together great works of classical music, beginning with “Psalmus” by João Guilherme Ripper, a contemporary piece of strong expressiveness. Next, Simone Leitão performs Sergei Rachmaninoff’s “Concerto No. 2 for Piano and Orchestra,” one of the most iconic compositions in the piano repertoire.

The second part of the concert features Maurice Ravel’s “Bolero,” which marks the beginning of celebrations for the French composer’s 150th birthday. The concert will close with Igor Stravinsky’s suite “The Firebird,” a ballet that established the Russian composer’s reputation and stands out for its orchestral intensity and dramatic atmosphere.

Recognized for her expressiveness and brilliance, Simone Leitão has performed four times at Carnegie Hall and maintains a busy concert schedule in Europe and the Americas. As a soloist, she has collaborated with orchestras such as the Minas Philharmonic, OSB, Miami Symphony, and Potsdam Orchestre.

The Volta Redonda Philharmonic Orchestra has established itself as one of the most important orchestras in southern Rio de Janeiro state, providing free access to high-quality concerts. Many of its musicians were trained through the Garoto Cidadão project, an initiative of the CSN Foundation that has been promoting social integration and cultural education among young people for over 22 years.

The OFVR is the result of a partnership between CSN, the CSN Foundation, the City of Volta Redonda, and conductor Nilton Soares. This union has been fundamental to strengthening classical music in the region, bringing culture and art to the public in an accessible way.

2025 Season

The Volta Redonda Philharmonic Orchestra presents its 2025 season with a diverse program that includes symphonic concerts, educational presentations, and themed shows, bringing the works of great Brazilian and international composers to the public.

Highlights:

• Outdoor Concert I (March 27 – Rio de Janeiro Municipal Theater)
  Conductor: Nilton Soares | Soloist: Simone Leitão (piano)
  Works by João Guilherme Ripper, Rachmaninov, Marlos Nobre, and Stravinsky.
• Arigó Series – Concert I: Music from Film and TV (April 8 – Cine 9 de Abril)
  Conductor: Nilton Soares | Soloist: Johnatha Bastos
  Iconic themes by John Williams, Ennio Morricone, Michael Giacchino, and others.
• Cicuta Series – Educational Concert I (April 7 – Cine 9 de Abril)
  Open rehearsal with a program similar to that of the Arigó Series.
• Arigó Series – Concert III: Tribute to Mothers (May 13 – Maestro Franklin Theater) Conductor: Nilton Soares | Soloist: Delia Fischer, Works by César Guerra-Peixe and original songs by Delia Fischer.
• Ingá Series – Concert II (June) – Conductor: Wagner Polistchuk | Soloist: Leandro Dantas (trombone). Works by Antonin Dvořák and Vittor Santos.
• OFVR Anniversary Concert (July 8 – Maestro Franklin Theater). Conductor: Nilton Soares | Soloist: Vera Astrachan. Works by Bernstein, Lorenzo Fernandes, Camargo Guarnieri, and Copland.
• Ingá Series – Concert IV: Volta Redonda 71 Years (July – Praça Brasil). Conductor: Isaac Karabtchevsky | Program to be confirmed.
• ExpoVR Opening Concert (August 1–3 – Ilha São João). Conductor and soloists to be confirmed.
• Ingá Series – Concert V (September 16 – Maestro Franklin Theater). Conductor: Marcelo Jardim | Soloist: Fernando Portari (tenor, to be confirmed). Works by Alberto Nepomuceno, Francisco Mignone, Tim Rescala, and Villa-Lobos.
• Concert for Children (October 7 – Gacemss Theater). Conductor: Nilton Soares | Theater Company | Narrator to be confirmed. Prokofiev’s “Peter and the Wolf.”
• Opera “Carmen” – In Concert Form (November 22 and 23 – Maestro Franklin Theater). Conductor: Nilton Soares | Cast to be confirmed.
• Ballet “The Nutcracker” (December 6, 7, and 8 – Maestro Franklin Theater). Conductor: Nilton Soares | Volta Redonda Dance Company.

In addition to symphonic concerts, the season will feature performances from the Chamber Music Series, with events at the Municipal Library, CEU das Artes, and Espaço Zélia Arbex.

For more information, visit: www.institutocultural.art or contact us by phone at (24) 99953-6318.