Five World Class Showcase Concerts
Choose Vivace for a complete immersion in music!
2026 Vivace Festival Showcase Concerts
Nicholas Canellakis & Michael Stephen Brown
August 2 | 7:30 PM | St. James Episcopal Church
Cellist Nicholas Canellakis and pianist-composer Michael Stephen Brown, who “play with their antennae tuned to each other” (The Washington Post), are both longtime artists with the Chamber Music Society of Lincoln Center. They have performed together virtually all over the world, bringing their affectionate, brutally honest, and infectious rapport to the stage while presenting programs celebrating the standard literature, little-known gems, and original works and arrangements.
Alexander Kobrin
August 5 | 7:30 PM | St. James Episcopal Church
Called the “Van Cliburn of today” by the BBC, pianist Alexander Kobrin has placed himself at the forefront of today’s performing musicians. His prize winning performances have been praised for their brilliant technique, musicality, and emotional engagement with the audience. Prepare to be transported throughout this evening of virtuosic pianism.
Chamber Music Showcase
August 6 | 7:30 PM | St. James Episcopal Church
A showcase of Vivace’s internationally-acclaimed Festival Faculty! Featuring violinists Stella Chen and Amy Schwartz Moretti, cellist Edward Arron, and pianist Dmitri Vorobiev in an exhilarating evening of the chamber music of Brahms.
Hung-Kuan Chen
August 7 | 7:30 PM | St. James Episcopal Church
Award-winning pianist Hung-Kuan Chen is one of the most honored pianists of his generation, performed in the world’s foremost concert venues, and enjoyed artistic collaborations with Yo-Yo Ma, David Shifrin, the Tokyo and Shanghai String Quartets, and many more. Don’t miss this one-night only performance!
Vivace Extravaganza
August 8 | 7:30 PM | Beckwith Recital Hall (UNCW)
The 2026 Vivace International Music Festival closes its Showcase Series with a Vivace Extravaganza! Co-artistic directors Marina Lomazov and Joseph Rackers lead works that showcase students and faculty in solos and ensembles ranging from familiar classics to surprising crossovers. A perfect live event for a whole family to enjoy, the hour-long concert will proceed seamlessly, without conventional breaks for applause and end on a surprising note!
Become a Vivace Insider
For $240, enjoy one ticket to all five concerts, an exclusive invitation to the August 1 House Concert, an invitation to the Festival Celebration on August 8, and exclusive Vivace Insider swag!
Need financial assistance to attend Vivace events?
Contact Vivace at info@vivacemusicfoundation.org for an application.
Tickets are a revocable license that may be revoked by Vivace in its sole discretion.