Experience an unforgettable evening of timeless romance and drama with Star-Crossed Lovers, Folsom Lake Symphony’s exploration of passion through three legendary compositions. The program opens with selections from Bizet’s Carmen, bringing to life the magnetic allure of Carmen and her fateful romance. Its Spanish-inspired melodies and stirring rhythms promise to captivate audiences.

Then, the Butterfly Lovers Violin Concerto takes center stage, telling the story of China’s Romeo and Juliet, Liang Shanbo and Zhu Yingtai. Through lush, melodic themes, the violin expresses the heartache and passion of these lovers who are united only in spirit.

Finally, Leonard Bernstein’s Symphonic Dances from West Side Story bursts onto the stage, bringing the tale of Tony and Maria to life with fiery Latin beats, jazz, and classical influences. Their love, set against the backdrop of 1950s New York, is full of intensity and tragedy that resonates through Bernstein’s vibrant score. Join Folsom Lake Symphony for a night where love knows no limits and music transcends time.

South Korean virtuoso Ji in Yang embarked on her musical journey at the age of six, guided by a profound passion for the art form. Since then, she has shared her music with audiences around the world, striving to connect deeply with each listener through her performances. As a guest soloist, Ms. Yang has collaborated with renowned ensembles spanning the United States and Korea, including distinguished orchestras such as the KBS Symphony Orchestra, Bucheon Philharmonic Orchestra, Atlantic Music Festival Orchestra, Daegu Symphony Orchestra, Suwon Philharmonic Orchestra, and the Ulsan Philharmonic Orchestra, among many others. Recognized for her expressive and nuanced playing, the United Kingdom’s Musical Opinion described her solo appearance at Cadogan Hall as ‘brilliantly played.’

Ms. Yang’s educational background includes Bachelor’s and Master’s Degrees from the Juilliard School, where she studied with Hyo Kang and Dorothy DeLay. She has earned an Artist Diploma on a full scholarship from Yale University under Hyo Kang and earned her Doctorate of Musical Arts on a full scholarship at the Graduate Center of the City University of New York with Daniel Phillips.

Ms. Yang plays on a Petrus Guarnerius violin, crafted in Venice in 1723.