"Under the Mistletoe" w/ The FD Area Symphony

Description

Sun Dec 7, 2025 – 3pm Fort Dodge Middle School Joshua Barlage, conducting Michael Richardson, baritone Ashley Augspurger, cello Adalyn SIDON  Festive Fanfare BERLIN  White Christmas J. S. BACH  Sheep May Safely Graze TORMÉ  The Christmas Song Buddy GREEN  Mary Did You Know? TCHAIKOVSKY  Clara and her Nutcracker from The Nutcracker FAURÉ  Élégie HAYDN  Now Heavens in Fullest Glory Shown from The Creation HANDEL  The Trumpet Shall Sound from Messiah TCHAIKOVSKY  Waltz of the Flowers from The Nutcracker Feel the musical warmth of the holidays with seasonal favorites including Chestnuts Roasting on an Open Fire and Mary Did You Know? brought to life by the rich, resonant voice of baritone and Fort Dodge native Michael Richardson, performed alongside music by Bach, Faure and Tchaikovsky’s The Nutcracker. Whether you’re starting a new holiday tradition or continuing a cherished one, this concert promises a heartwarming afternoon filled with the spirit of the season. Said to possess a voice “full of pathos” and described as “a balm for the soul,” baritone Michael D. Richardson captivates audiences with a rich tone and commanding presence. Whether it is operatic roles, theater roles, or concerts, Michael loves performing as much as possible. Currently based in Fort Dodge, IA, Richardson has a Masters in Music from James Madison University. Michael completed his BA at Buena Vista University in Storm Lake, IA. He has studied under several persons, including vocal pedagogue, Mr. Kevin McMillan (Prof. Emeritus JMU), Dr. Merrin Gill (former Prof. Buena Vista University – currently Prof. Bethel College), Mrs. Sharon Morrical (Iowa Central CC) and Dr. Gail Dooley (Prof. Em. Morningside College). He has performed roles such as Mephistopheles in C. Gounod’s Faust, Papageno in a scenes rendition of W.A. Mozart’s Die Zauberflote, Nick Shadow in I. Stravinsky’s The Rake’s Progress, and William in P. Glass’s Fall of the House of Usher. Other significant roles include the title role in an all-English rendition of G. Puccini’s Gianni Schicchi, Seargent of Police in G&S’s Pirates of Penzance, William Putnam in J. Heggie’s If I Were You, and Peter in J. & C. Owens’ musical, The Witness. Concert performances in which Michael was a soloist include Messiah with the Shenandoah Valley Choral Society, The Songs of the Slave with the Blacksburg Master Chorale, and Creation and Catfish Row with the James Madison University Wind Symphony. He has been featured as a soloist numerous times – collaborating with pianists Dr. David Berry, Linlin Uta, Dr. Jeremiah Padilla, Dr. Kathryn Schmidt, Kathleen Schreier, and the late Mary Heimbruch. Admission is by season membership or individual concert ticket ($15) available for purchase at the door.  Students & children (with an adult) are always welcomed free of charge at Symphony performances.