Free classical concerts coming to Wilmington and Southport this month

WILMINGTON, NC (WWAY) — Wilmington Voices is preparing to showcase the sounds of fall with two free concerts later this month, highlighting cellist Hillary Flowers and pianist Elizabeth Loparits.

The ensemble, made up of professional musicians with collegiate-level training or higher, will perform programs themed Autumn Sonata in Wilmington and Southport.

The concerts feature works by female composers Nadia Boulanger and Reena Esmail, along with pieces from Chopin, Beethoven and Rachmaninoff. Flowers says the program blends early 20th-century French impressionism, contemporary influences, and classical masterworks.

“Beethoven’s Fourth Cello Sonata is one of the most beautiful works ever written,” Flowers said. “The third movement of that piece is the reason why Beethoven is my favorite composer of all time.”

The first concert will take place Friday, Sept. 26, at 7:30 p.m. at Landfall’s Kenan Chapel. Although admission is free, tickets are required and will be distributed beginning Monday, Sept. 22, at the New Hanover County Public Library’s Northeast Branch on Military Cutoff Road.

A second concert is scheduled for Saturday, Sept. 27, at 3 p.m. at St. Peter’s Lutheran Church in Southport. That performance is free and does not require tickets.

Wilmington Voices is a nonprofit organization. While the performances are free, donations are accepted to support future concerts.

You can find more information here.