Louisville is fortunate to have a thriving arts scene, and this fall's music options alone could easily fill your calendar before the holidays. Below is a liberal sampling of what you have to look forward to, but it is by no means exhaustive. You may want to check the full events calendars for Kentucky Center [4], Louisville Phiharmonia [5], Louisville Chamber Choir [6], and Bourbon Baroque [7] as they announce their seasons or add events.
Kentucky Opera
The season opens with a classic, followed by a contemporary opera. All performances are at the Brown Theatre. Friday performances are at 8 p.m. and Sunday matinees are at 2 p.m. for both productions. For show details and tickets, visit Kentucky Opera online [8] or call 502-584-4500.
SEP 18 & 20 Verdi's Macbeth
Giuseppe Verdi composed the music for this classic Shakespeare tragedy with Gregory Dahl as Macbeth and Lyne Fortin as Lady Macbeth, conducted by Joseph Mechavich.
Nov 13 & 15 Jake Heggie's Three Decembers with Denyce Graves
Heggie is one of the most talented and well-known composers in contemporary opera whose other works include Dead Man Walking and a stunning adaptation of Moby Dick. KO snagged star mezzo-soprano Graves to anchor this production.
Louisville Orchestra
The Louisville Orchestra's new season kicks off under the baton of Teddy Abrams with a free preview concert [9] at Iroquois Amphitheater. The preview show on September 19 at 7 p.m. will offer a sampler of music from the upcoming season's programs. All Saturday night Classics concerts take place at Kentucky Center at 8 p.m. (Coffee concerts are Friday's at 11 a.m.). For details on single tickets and subscriptions, call 502.584.7777 or visit LouisvilleOrchestra.org [10].
SEP 26 Bernstein's Mass: A Theatre Piece for Singers, Players and Dancers 
Commissioned by Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis, the Mass made its world premiere at the opening of the Kennedy Center in Washington, D.C. on September 8, 1971. This will be the first time LO has ever performed this sprawling work, which requires a large cast of singers, dancers, and performers in addition to the orchestra. As last year's Carmina Burana proved, Abrams has no trouble rounding up talent, especially taking advantage of the local music community.
Baritone Jubilant Sykes heads a production that includes Broadway singer Morgan James, local vocalists Emily Albrink, Tyler Dippold, Chad Sloan, Carly Johnson, and Amy Cuneca. Also expect to see the University of Louisville Collegiate Chorale, Louisville Chamber Choir, Louisville Male High School Marching Band, and Highland Hills Middle School Boys Choir. (There will be an additional performance on Sunday, September 27 at 3 p.m.)
OCT 9 Four Last Songs - Jorge Mester, conductor
Featuring soprano Kelley Nassief. Brahms Tragic Overture, R. Strauss Four Last Songs, Tchaikovsky Symphony No. 4.
OCT 24 Eroica
Abrams conducts his own composition, Louisville Concerto, in its world premiere with guest singers Will Oldham (Bonnie Prince Billy) and Jalin Roze. Beethoven's Symphony #3 caps off the evening.
NOV 7 The Bach Effect
Explore the influence of Bach across the centuries with music of R.Strauss, Wagner, Rihm, Mozart, and Hindemith.
There's more...
Pops and Family series, Bob Bernhardt conducting
OCT 10 Vanessa Williams
OCT 30 Nightmare on Main Street - Halloween at the LO
NOV 14 The Music of Led Zeppelin - Brent Havens, conductor
OCT 31 Brown Halloween Spooktacular
And more...
Music Without Borders
The series of community concerts continues with shows scheduled around the area at the Ogle Center at IUS, Adath Jeshrun, The Temple, Central High School, Valley High School, and the Jeffersontown Community Center. Tickets are $20, general admission. Check out the schedule [11].
Louisville Ballet
Artistic Director Robert Curran's new season [12] includes fresh takes on classics and collaborations with the Louisville Orchestra.
OCT 2 & 3 Coppélia
Music by Léo Delibes. The charming story of this ballet is set in Louisville's Germantown during World War I. Friday and Saturday night performances are at 8 p.m. with a Saturday matinee at 2 p.m. at the Brown Theatre. For tickets, contact Kentucky Center [13].
The Louisville Chorus
The first performance in the 2015-2016 season will be at St Brigid Catholic Church, 1520 Hepburn Ave. at 4 p.m.
NOV 1 Choral Masterpieces - Music Director, Daniel Spurlock
LC will be joined by the Oldham Co. HS Chorale and Cantamus, Haley Reed, Director; Timothy Baker, Organist. Tickets are $20 General Admission ($15 seniors, $5 students). For details visit LouisvilleChorus.org [14] or call 502-968-6300.