classical and chill

Houston Symphony unveils new 'living room' virtual concert series

Enjoy personalized Houston Symphony concerts — and accompanying cocktails — from the comfort of your home.

Photo courtesy of Houston Symphony

Dealing with the daily challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic can be trying and grating, making the search for something soothing downright essential. To the rescue comes the Houston Symphony, which has announced a new series to help harried Houstonians chill.

Appropriately dubbed the Living Room Series, the new symphony program runs Fridays at 8 pm. The hour-long livestream spotlights an individual Houston Symphony musician, and in some cases, musician members of their household, performing at home.

The recitals reflect the personalities of the individual musicians, bringing the audience into their homes to hear performances curated by them, according to the symphony. Each concert also features remarks by that week’s musician, and concludes with a Q&A from audience members.

Each week’s performance is now on sale for $10 online at houstonsymphony.org; those who purchase tickets will receive a private link. Here is the schedule of performances provided by the symphony:

May 1
Principal keyboard, Scott Holshouser, kicks off the series performing a recital from his home along with his son, vocalist Sean Holshouser. The evening’s program includes music from Chopin, Mozart, Schumann, Debussy, and an improvisation on Gershwin’s Rhapsody in Blue.

May 8
Houston Symphony principal clarinet, Mark Nuccio, will perform a transcription of Bach’s Chromatic Fantasy for Piano, two short pieces by Debussy, and several solo clarinet showpieces in an homage to Richard Strauss. Nuccio selected pieces from different regions of the world in hopes that the audience may be inspired to pair their favorite wines, spirits, or cuisine with each piece.

May 15
Principal cello, Brinton Averil Smith, will be joined by his pianist wife and frequent collaborator, Evelyn Chen, and his vocalist daughter Calista, for a selection of short works inspired by the recordings of the legendary cellist Emanuel Feuermann. Composers on the program include Albéniz, Sarasate, Rimsky-Korsakov, and Handel.

May 22
Associate principal viola, Joan DerHovsepian, will be joined by her husband, Houston Grand Opera Orchestra bassist, Erik Gronfor, as well as their violinist daughter, Clara, in a program that includes works for solo viola from the Baroque to the Romantic periods, as well as a duo for viola and bass, and several short pieces for the family trio.

Meanwhile, the symphony’s Nuccio offers up these cocktail recipes to pair with the performances (frankly, these look appealing for any occasion):

Fröhlich (to be paired with Chromatic Fantasy, Johann Sebastian Bach)

1 Sugar Cube
Jägermeister
Brut Sekt (German Sparkling Wine)

Place a sugar cube on a small plate. Douse the sugar cube with Jägermeister. Fill a champagne flute with the Sekt (4 oz or so). Carefully drop the Jägermeister-drenched sugar cube into the drink. No garnish.

Widow's Kiss (to be paired with Deux Arabesques, Claude Debussy)

1.5 oz Calvados
.75 oz Yellow Chartreuse
.75 oz Benedictine D.O.M Liqueur
2 dashes Angostura Bitters
Luxardo Maraschino Cherry

Pour the liquids into a mixing glass. Stir with lots of ice for 40 revolutions and strain into a chilled coupe (cocktail glass). Drop the cherry into the drink.

Into the Woods ( to be paired with Hommage for Solo Clarinet, Richard Strauss)

2.25 oz Gin, preferably St. George Terroir Gin
.75 oz Vodka, preferably St. George All Purpose Vodka
.5 oz Zirbenz Stone Pine Liqueur of the Alps (if not available, try Yellow or Green Chartreuse)
Rosemary Sprig

Pour the liquids into a mixing glass. Stir with lots of ice for 40 revolutions and strain into a chilled coupe (cocktail glass). Place the rosemary sprig in the drink.

El Presidente (to be paired with Lecuonerias from The Cape Cod Files, Paquito D'Riveria)

1.5 oz Aged Spanish-Style Rum
.75 oz Blanc Vermouth, preferably Dolin
.5 oz Dry Curaçao, preferably Pierre Ferrand
A Barspoon of Grenadine, if not homemade, use Liber and Co
Orange peel
Luxardo Maraschino Cherry

Pour the liquids into a mixing glass. Stir with lots of ice for 40 revolutions and strain into a chilled coupe (cocktail glass). Express the orange peel over the top of the drink and discard. Drop the cherry into the drink.

welcome to houston

Musical theater veteran joins prominent Houston company

Courtesy of Stages

Stages has named Valerie Rachelle as its new associate artist director.

A Houston theater company is adding an accomplished artist to its ranks. Stages announced that Valerie Rachelle will be the company’s new associate artistic director beginning in January 2026.

For more than a decade, Rachelle has been artistic director of the Oregon Cabaret Theatre in Ashland, Oregon, where she oversaw artistic vision and operations. That theater specializes in musical theater performances offered in a cabaret setting.

Rachelle comes to Houston with a career spanning nearly 30 years as a director and choreographer. She has extensive experience in developing new musicals and plays for regional theaters and opera companies across the United States, including the Tony Award-winning Oregon Shakespeare Festival, the Utah Shakespeare Festival, and Sierra Repertory Theatre. She was appointed to her position at Stages following a nationwide search.

“I’m beyond thankful for this opportunity to join this incredible company, and I’m excited to be a part of a creative entity that has a strong mission and vision as Stages,” Rachelle said in a statement.

In her role with Stages, she will support artistic director Derek Charles Livingston with season planning and casting; liaise with artists, press, and staff; and coordinate day-to-day operations for the artistic department. She will also assist with crafting educational materials, direct and choreograph productions, and serve as the primary liaison with theatrical unions.

“We are thrilled to welcome Valerie to Stages in this role,” said Livingston. “I have seen her work as a director and director choreographer — she's excellent. Those skills combined with her experience as a theatre artistic director and manager only further fortify Stages' commitment to artistic excellence and community engagement.”

Born and raised in Eugene, Oregon, Rachelle began her career as a dancer and apprentice ballerina with the Eugene Ballet Company before earning her BFA in acting from California Institute of the Arts. She received her MFA in Directing from the University of California, Irvine. She has held teaching and directing positions at numerous institutions, including the University of Southern California, Southern Oregon University, Pacific Conservatory of the Performing Arts, and others. She has also served as a mentor through Statera Arts, an organization dedicated to gender equity in the arts.

Rachelle teaches musical theater, auditioning, and singing at Southern Oregon University when she isn’t on the road as a freelance director and choreographer. She’s also a classically trained singer and toured the world with her parents and their illusionist show as a child.

“Joining the team that has a long-standing reputation of excellence in theater is an honor,” Rachelle added.

performing-arts stages theater