Western Piedmont Symphony Concludes Season with Sheng Cai and Saint-Saëns’ ‘Egyptian’ Piano Concerto

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The evening's program features Karl Goldmark's Overture to Sakuntala, Georges Bizet's lively L'Arlesienne Suite No. 1, Max Steiner's beloved Casablanca Suite and more.

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Western Piedmont Symphony, the professional orchestra of the western foothills of North Carolina, will present MASTERWORKS: MUSICAL WANDERLUST on Saturday, May 16, 2026, at 7:30 p.m. at P.E. Monroe Auditorium in Hickory. Closing the Symphony's 61st season, this captivating Masterworks performance invites audiences on a musical journey across continents and cultures through a vibrant program inspired by the spirit of travel, storytelling, and adventure.

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The evening's program features Karl Goldmark's Overture to Sakuntala, Georges Bizet 's lively L'Arlesienne Suite No. 1, Max Steiner 's beloved Casablanca Suite, and Camille Saint-Saëns' Piano Concerto No. 5, "Egyptian," a colorful and virtuosic work influenced by the composer's travels throughout North Africa and the Middle East.

"Musical Wanderlust is an intriguing journey through music inspired by Europe, the Mediterranean, Asia, Africa, and America that is as thrilling as it is memorable," said Music Director Matthew Troy. "A few of the highlights of the concert will be music from the classic film Casablanca, and a performance by internationally renowned pianist Sheng Cai, who will play Saint-Saëns' "Egyptian" Piano Concerto. We are eager to share this experience with our audience as we conclude our 61st season."

Featured guest artist Sheng Cai, the 2026 Greg Knight Endowment Guest Artist, is an acclaimed Canadian pianist praised for his expressive depth and virtuosity. He has appeared as a soloist with major orchestras worldwide, including the Toronto Symphony, Shanghai Symphony, and Philharmonie Südwestfalen. A passionate interpreter of both standard and rare repertoire, his performances and recordings have earned international critical acclaim for their color, clarity, and power.

Behind the Music: Pre-Concert Conversation with Music Director Matthew Troy Enhance your concert experience with Behind the Music, a special pre-concert conversation led by Music Director Matthew Troy. This complimentary talk, included with concert admission, will take place from 6:30 to 6:50 p.m. in P.E. Monroe Auditorium prior to MASTERWORKS: MUSICAL WANDERLUST. Audiences are invited to gain deeper insight into the composers, inspirations, and musical connections featured on the program before the performance begins.

MASTERWORKS: MUSICAL WANDERLUST is funded with support from Century Furniture, Alex Lee , Inc., Chip and Lynn Young, and the Greater Hickory International Council. Additional support is provided by Our State magazine, Arts Culture Catawba, and the North Carolina Arts Council, a division of the Department of Natural and Cultural Resources.

MASTERWORKS tickets are $20-$58 for adults. Student tickets are $10 with a valid ID. Students can purchase $10 tickets in sections A and B only when accompanied by an adult who also buys a ticket in the same section. To purchase tickets, visit wpsymphony.org , call 828.324.8603, or stop by the Western Piedmont Symphony Box Office located on the SALT Block at 243 Third Avenue NE, Hickory, NC 28601. The Box Office is open Wednesday through Friday, from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. P.E. Monroe Auditorium, where MASTERWORKS concerts are held, is located at 625 7th Ave NE, Hickory, NC 28601.

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_Originally reported by [BroadwayWorld](https://www.broadwayworld.com/charlotte/article/Western-Piedmont-Symphony-to-Present-MASTERWORKS-MUSICAL-WANDERLUST-Season-Finale-20260512)._