Music Director Andrew Crust, Mezzo Vocalist Nikola Printz, and VSO Musicians Present Works ranging from Romeo and Juliet to Star Wars at Locations Across Vermont
Burlington, VT — The Vermont Symphony Orchestra announces its 2025 Summer Festival Tour, Summer of Love. A dynamic program with works from across the world and a range of genres, Summer of Love includes pieces from Tchaikovsky’s Romeo and Juliet, John Williams’ Star Wars Theme, Leonard Bernstein’s West Side Story, and pop hits such as “I Put A Spell On You” and “Nature Boy.” The VSO also welcomes mezzo Nikola Printz as the tour’s special guest vocalist.
An annual VSO tradition, the Summer Festival Tour celebrates music, community, and the summer season. This year’s tour will take place from July 1-6, 2025 in the following locations: Castleton, Grafton, East Burke, South Pomfret, Shelburne, and Stowe. All locations will include VSO’s Musical Petting Zoo where the audience can explore a variety of orchestral instruments, available before the performances. The Grafton, Shelburne, and East Burke performances will conclude with fireworks displays.
“The Vermont Symphony Orchestra is thrilled to bring Summer of Love to audiences across the state this season,” said Andrew Crust, VSO Music Director and conductor of the Summer Festival Tour. “This year’s program is a vibrant blend of genres, featuring beloved selections from musicals, classical masterpieces, and iconic pop hits. We are especially excited to welcome vocalist Nikola Printz, whose dynamic performances will add a fresh dimension to our cherished Summer Festival Tour. And of course, in true festival tradition, we will close the program with the rousing patriotic favorite, Stars and Stripes Forever.”
Mezzo vocalist Nikola Printz, described as “musically resplendent” (San Francisco Chronicle) and known for their “sheer stylistic range … full-throated vocalism and raw emotional honesty” (San Francisco Classical Voice) will join the VSO for several pieces of the concert program.
“Singing love songs is such a personal experience—sharing familiar melodies, poetry, and words that resonate deeply with listeners is incredibly powerful,” said Nikola Printz. “I’m especially thrilled to perform with an orchestra for a mash-up of Nature Boy and Bachianas Brasileiras by Villa-Lobos. I love songs that are in conversation with one another, and that blend jazz and pop with classical music.”
The full concert program includes:
- Frances Scott Key – The Star-Spangled Banner
- Leonard Bernstein/Mason – West Side Story Selections
- Franz Lehár– Meine Lippen sie küssen so heiß
- Georges Bizet – Habanera from “Carmen”
- Piotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky – Romeo and Juliet Fantasy Overture
INTERMISSION
- Lalo Schifrin – Tango de Atardecer
- John Williams – Across the Stars Love Theme from Star Wars Episode II
- Heitor Villa-Lobos/Krance – Bachianas Brasileiras No. 5
- Nat King Cole/De Vol – Nature Boy
- Nina Simone/McKenzie – I Put a Spell on You
- John Philip Sousa – Our Flirtation
- John Philip Sousa – Stars and Stripes Forever
Event Details:
All concerts begin at 7:30pm with a 5:30pm meadow open for picnicking.
- Vermont State University Castleton Pavilion, Castleton, VT: July 1, 2025
- Saskadena Six Ski Area, South Pomfret, VT: July 2, 2025 produced in partnership with Pentangle Arts
- Grafton Trails and Outdoor Center, Grafton, VT: July 3, 2025 (This performance includes a fireworks display and a pre-concert performance by Kinhaven music students).
- Shelburne Museum, Shelburne, VT: July 4, 2025 (This performance includes a fireworks display)
- Burke Mountain Ski Resort, East Burke, VT: July 5, 2025 (This performance includes a fireworks display)
- Trapp Family Lodge Concert Meadow, Stowe, VT: July 6, 2025 produced in partnership with Stowe Performing Arts
For more information and ticketing details, visit Vermont Symphony Orchestra.
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