URGENT UPDATE: Renowned soprano Maria Valdes is set to take the stage for a highly anticipated performance with the Valdosta Symphony Orchestra on November 15, 2025, marking a heartfelt homecoming for the artist. Valdes, who hails from the Atlanta area, has deep roots in Georgia, having attended Georgia State University and participated in the prestigious Governor’s Honors Program, historically hosted at Valdosta State University.
This concert will feature Valdes performing Samuel Barber’s evocative “Knoxville: Summer of 1915,” a piece that transforms James Agee’s nostalgic poem into a rich lyrical experience. The composition, originally commissioned by soprano Eleanor Steber in 1947, has been a staple in Valdes’s repertoire, having captivated audiences across the United States, including performances with the California Symphony and San Jose Symphony.
Valdes will also showcase her talent with selections from Aaron Copland’s “Old American Songs,” including “Long Time Ago,” “Simple Gifts,” and “I Bought Me a Cat.” This concert promises to be an emotional journey through music that highlights the rich tapestry of American culture.
Scheduled for 7:00 PM at the Whitehead Auditorium in the VSU Fine Arts Building, this performance is part of the Valdosta Symphony’s “Scenes of Life” concert series. Notably, this concert will start earlier than the traditional 7:30 PM time, with a pre-concert chat at 6:15 PM to engage audience members in the evening’s program.
Other highlights of the concert include Barber’s haunting “Adagio for Strings,” Gershwin’s vibrant “Catfish Row,” and the thrilling “Symphonic Suite from Porgy and Bess.”
Tickets are selling quickly. For more information or to secure your seat, visit valdostasymphony.org or call (229) 333-2150. Don’t miss this chance to experience the magic of Maria Valdes live in concert—an event that promises to evoke powerful emotions and unforgettable memories.
