Concerts & Events
Notes & Narratives 2026
April 19
The Soldier’s Tale by Igor Stravinsky
A Benefit Concert for Wisconsin Youth Symphony Orchestras
Notes & Narratives is Wisconsin Youth Symphony Orchestras’ signature benefit concert experience, designed to deepen the way audiences listen and connect with great music.
Each program unfolds in two parts. The evening begins with Narratives, a brief, engaging talk by Music Director Kyle Knox, offering context about the featured work — its creation, the composer’s life, and the ideas that shaped it. After intermission, Notes brings the work fully to life in performance, enriched by the insights shared earlier and heard anew through sound, movement, and storytelling.
This year’s program features The Soldier’s Tale by Igor Stravinsky, a groundbreaking work that blends music, theater, and dance into a single, compelling narrative. Performed in its full theatrical form, the work comes vividly to life through movement, narration, and music.
Featuring members of the Wisconsin Chamber Orchestra and Madison Symphony Orchestra, conducted by Kyle Knox, with special guests Kanopy Dance and narration by James Ridge, this performance invites audiences to listen more deeply and hear the music anew.
The Story at the Heart of the Music
A soldier returning home meets a mysterious stranger who offers him wealth and power, in exchange for his soul.
Stravinsky’s The Soldier’s Tale is a darkly playful, sharply modern fable about temptation, ambition, and the cost of getting what we think we want. Told through music, narration, and movement, the story unfolds with wit and urgency, shifting between humor and unease as the soldier’s bargain begins to reveal its consequences.
At once intimate and theatrical, the work blurs the boundaries between concert, theater, and dance, drawing audiences into a story that feels both timeless and unmistakably of our own moment.
Event Schedule
VIP Pre-Performance Lunch – 12:30 PM
General Reception – 1:30 PM
Performance – 2:30 PM
(Approximately 2 hours total, including intermission)
Location:
Starlight Theater at MYArts • 1055 E Mifflin St, Madison, WI 53703
Early Access Pricing Available
Early access tickets are available for $85, ahead of the regular ticket price of $125. Early access ends on January 31 or when 50 tickets have been claimed, whichever comes first.
(Early access tickets do not include the VIP pre-performance lunch.)
About the Music
Reflections from Music Director Kyle Knox
A Revolutionary Work at the Crossroads of Music, Theater, and Dance
“This is one of the most unique works in the history of music and a defining piece of the early 20th century. Stylistically, it mixes popular dance music and jazz into the classical form in a way that was completely new. Its theatrical design — blending music, theater, and dance into one work — was revolutionary for its time.”
A Timeless Story That Still Speaks to the Present Moment
“First and foremost, it’s a great work, and it’s rarely performed in its full theatrical form. This is a wonderful opportunity to experience extraordinary music alongside great dance and first-class acting. The story itself — about trading one’s soul for power and money — explores timeless Faustian themes that remain as relevant today as they were a century ago.”
A Transformational Experience for Young Musicians
“Though it’s quite difficult to play (and to count!), musicians love this piece. It’s wonderfully challenging and the perfect ‘stretch’ work for ambitious young musicians. With only seven players, everyone plays a crucial role. Having young artists sit alongside professionals in this context will be a truly special experience.”
How Your Attendance Makes a Difference
By attending Notes & Narratives, you are directly supporting Wisconsin Youth Symphony Orchestras’ mission to provide exceptional music education experiences for young musicians across Wisconsin.
Your participation helps make possible:
- Tuition assistance and access initiatives for students and families
- Transformational learning experiences alongside professional musicians
- Innovative programming that connects music, storytelling, and interdisciplinary art
Tickets & Access
Questions about discounted ticket options?
Please contact development@wysomusic.org.