Get excited for Belvedere’s four new commissions
What’s coming in the 2025-2026 Season Program
by Sara Laws
As part of my inquiry into what commissions are, Belvedere’s Founding Artistic Director Ingrid Keller walked me through the four commissioned works that are forthcoming in the 2025-2026 Season Program.
These are fascinating collaborations that the Richmond live music scene will want to pay attention to. Beyond the fact that new music is being written, these commissions bring the work of world-class contemporary composers to RVA.
Why commissions?
The Belvedere Series has built a diverse and dynamic roster of commissioned works. This is part of its broader mission of supporting contemporary music and fostering meaningful collaborations.
“The honest reason for doing commissions is that I can help support someone’s art.”
A commission occurs when a composer, who creates music, is invited by someone—such as a performer, an ensemble, or an organization—to write a new piece. The composer is financially supported for their work and uses their artistic skills to produce something fresh and original for audiences to appreciate.
Commissions are not just about adding new works to a long list of celebrated pieces; they are about creating works that resonate with contemporary issues and elevate the art form.
For Ingrid, a major value of commissions is their ability to support and uplift creators. “The honest reason for doing commissions is that I can help support someone’s art. How else do you support people?" she reflects.
The composers behind the new artworks
Ingrid’s trust in the composers she works with is evident: "I know they’ll write pieces that resonate." This confidence extends to all composers commissioned by Belvedere, who each bring a unique voice to the table.
Damien Geter, classical and operatic visionary
Geter is a contemporary American composer, conductor, and bass-baritone singer known for his work in both the classical and operatic music worlds.
He has gained recognition for his compositions that often address social justice issues, blending elements of classical music with African American spirituals, jazz, and other genres.
“Geter is an amazing composer, singer, and opera performer. And his music is fun.”
He is particularly noted for his operatic work, including his composition An African American Requiem, which premiered in 2022.
This piece, like much of his work, reflects his commitment to addressing themes of race, history, and identity through music. In addition to his work as a composer, Geter is also an accomplished performer and has appeared in various operatic and concert settings.
His contributions to contemporary music, particularly his focus on creating works that engage with important social issues, have made him a prominent figure in the world of modern classical music.
Geter’s approach to composing is versatile, as he is both a singer and a composer.
When Ingrid asked him what he might want to create in collaboration with Belvedere, he expressed a desire to write a string quartet, specifically for the Harlem Quartet, a renowned string quartet known for its dynamic performances and diverse repertoire, which spans classical music, jazz, Latin, and contemporary works.
Formed in 2006, the ensemble has earned international acclaim for its commitment to promoting diversity in classical music, as well as for its collaborations with a wide range of artists across various genres.
Geter’s new 12-15 minute piece will wow, there’s no doubt about that.
Look for the Belvedere premiere of Geter’s commission in spring 2026.
Kati Agócs, composer of textured, vibrant works
Kati Agócs’ commission, is a collaboration that began with Ingrid’s deep admiration for Kati’s music. Hearing Kati’s piece Queen of Hearts left a lasting impression on Ingrid due to its structure and emotional depth. Because of this, Belvedere has programmed Queen of Hearts as part of its April 2025 “For the end of time” concert.
Agócs is a contemporary composer known for her unique blend of Eastern European folk music, modern classical styles, and a deep sense of lyricism and spirituality. She is of Hungarian and American descent.
“Everything she does is with intention.”
Her compositions are often described as vibrant, emotionally direct, and richly textured.
She has received commissions from numerous prestigious organizations and ensembles, including the Boston Symphony Orchestra, the Toronto Symphony Orchestra, and the Minnesota Orchestra.
Her work spans various forms, including orchestral, choral, and chamber music, and she is known for her ability to create deeply expressive and evocative soundscapes.
Her music often explores themes of identity, culture, and the human experience, and she has been praised for her ability to communicate complex emotions through her compositions.
In addition to her work as a composer, Kati Agócs is also a dedicated educator. She has served on the faculty at the New England Conservatory in Boston, where she has influenced a new generation of musicians and composers.
When Ingrid reached out to her about the idea of a commission, Agócs proposed the idea of writing a French horn trio, a rare and unique form, which immediately intrigued Ingrid.
Kati’s long-standing relationship with former Boston Symphony Orchestra principal French horn player James Somerville added another layer to the project, as she had previously written a concerto for him.
“As a musician, I’m looking forward to playing her trio in 2025,” Ingrid said. “I haven’t played her music before and look forward to learning her work. It adds a new layer of understanding with her.”
Look for the Belvedere premiere of Agócs’ commission in June 2026.
Zach Wadsworth, pedagogue and acclaimed composer
Another notable collaboration is with Zachary Wadsworth, who was originally approached to create a song cycle for Belvedere.
Wadsworth is a contemporary American composer known for his wide-ranging and evocative compositions that span choral, orchestral, chamber, and vocal music. He has gained recognition for his ability to blend traditional and modern elements, creating music that is both accessible and deeply expressive.
Wadsworth's works have been performed by prominent ensembles and soloists around the world, including performances at the Kennedy Center, Carnegie Hall, and across Europe and Asia.
He has received numerous commissions from prestigious organizations, including the Yale Glee Club, the Buffalo Philharmonic Orchestra, and the Houston Grand Opera.
His music often explores themes of literature, history, and spirituality, and he is particularly known for his choral works, which are celebrated for their lyrical beauty and emotional depth.
In addition to his compositional work, Wadsworth has served as a teacher and mentor, contributing to the education and development of young musicians. His music has been widely published and recorded.
“Wadsworth blends traditional and modern elements. This makes his music both accessible and deeply expressive.”
The idea for Wadsworth’s commission evolved from a song cycle into something more intricate: A piano trio plus a singer.
"Zach writes really well for the voice," Ingrid says, which is why she thought of him for this project. The lyrics for this remarkable piece will draw from the poetry of Joan Murray to create a cohesive and powerful narrative through music.
Look for the Belvedere premiere of Wadsworth’s commission in February 2026.
Polina Nazaykinskaya, master of narrative-driven music
Polina Nazaykinskaya, another composer commissioned by the Series, brings a different yet equally compelling style to the program.
Nazaykinskaya is a contemporary Russian-American composer and conductor known for her richly expressive and emotionally resonant music. Nazaykinskaya has established herself as a significant voice in contemporary classical music, with works that span orchestral, chamber, choral, and ballet music.
Her compositions are noted for their lyrical beauty, intricate textures, and deep emotional impact. Her music often draws on her Russian heritage while also embracing a broad range of influences, including Western classical traditions and contemporary styles.
“Guests can expect a powerful story written by a deep person who gets right into things.”
Nazaykinskaya's music has been performed at prestigious venues around the world, and she has received numerous awards and honors for her work. She has been commissioned and performed by prominent ensembles and institutions, including the Minnesota Orchestra, the Russian National Orchestra, and the Albany Symphony.
In addition to her career as a composer, Nazaykinskaya is also active as a conductor and educator, sharing her passion for music with the next generation of musicians.
Her dedication to both her craft and her students has made her a respected figure in the classical music community.
Ingrid was introduced to Polina’s work through a YouTube recording of her piece “Emily,” part of a ballet based on the life and poetry of Emily Dickinson.
“Her music is extremely pretty—in every sense of that word’s actual meaning. It’s gorgeous, and it’s emotional. Her music tells a story.”
Ingrid and Polina’s personal connection led to the commission of a ten-minute piano solo based on the theme of ‘the divine feminine,’ which will open a Belvedere concert program slated for fall 2025.
“She will write a ten-minute piano solo that I will play,” said Ingrid, “Guests can expect a powerful story written by a deep person who gets right into things.”
Look for the Belvedere premiere of Nazaykinskaya’s commission in October 2025.
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