Eric Jacobsen, conductor
Michael Daniels, cello

Richard Strauss: Don Quixote 

Miguel de Cervantes’ epic novel Don Quixote inspires the fantastical tone poem by Richard Strauss with solo cello playing the role of the title character as he imagines battles with giants (windmills), sorcerers (friars), and an approaching army (sheep). 

Eric Jacobsen serves as the Virginia Symphony Orchestra’s twelfth Music Director, a position he’s held since 2021. He is also artistic director and co-founder of The Knights, the uniquely adventurous NYC-based chamber orchestra, and Music Director of the Orlando Philharmonic. In addition to conducting, Eric is a dedicated chamber musician (cello) and is a member of Yo-Yo Ma’s Silk Road Ensemble.

Michael Daniels has been the Elise Nusbaum Hofheimer Principal Cellist of the Virginia Symphony Orchestra since 1990. He has been a member of the Swannanoa Chamber Music Festival, a faculty member at the Brevard Music Center, and a participant in the Grand Teton Summer Music Festival. He is also a founding member of the Adagio Trio (harp, flute, and cello).