The New Jersey Symphony Orchestra under the baton of Music Director Xian Zhang wraps up its annual Winter Festival with three concerts that will include the NJSO premiere of Wagner’s “The Ring Without Words."

Pianist Simon Trpceski will join the orchestra for the performances at Princeton University’s Richardson Auditorium Jan. 17; State Theatre New Jersey Jan. 18 and the New Jersey Performing Arts Center Jan. 19.

Zhang chose to feature scores written for opera and ballets this year because that music is not often performed by stand-alone orchestras.

“To put these on the symphony concert stage shows their importance and the music totally deserves it,” Zhang said. “This is a part of the repertoire that’s been way underrepresented.”

Zhang and the orchestra will finish the month Jan. 25 with a Lunar New Year Festival and Celebration at the New Jersey Performing Arts Center. The pre-concert festival in the lobby of Prudential Hall includes entertainment and activities.

The concert, which will feature multiple guest performers, is billed as “an unmissable celebration of community and cultural exchange” that will blend eastern and western musical traditions. The line-up includes the traditional songs including “Kangding Love Story” and “The Little Swallow,” Giuseppe Verdi’s “Sempre Libera” and Franz Lehar’s “Lippen Schweigen.”

Shaking up the orchestra’s status quo was one of Zhang’s goals when she became maestro during the 2016-2017 season. She wanted to move the focus away from the “Big Three:” Bach, Mozart and Beethoven and broaden the orchestra’s repertoire as a way of broadening its audience. She’s done that by offering more family-friendly concerts, bringing in well-known guest musicians and offering a variety of musical fare.

The orchestra will celebrate its 100th birthday during the 2021-22 season. Zhang is planning a big year of big performances.

“We’re building momentum going into the centennial,” she said. “The audience will find it very enjoyable.”

New Jersey Symphony Orchestra Winter Festival

Jan. 17. Princeton University, Richardson Auditorium, Princeton. Tickets: $20-92, available online at njsymphony.org.

Jan. 18. State Theatre New Jersey, 15 Livingston Ave, New Brunswick. Tickets: $20-80, available online at njsymphony.org.

Jan. 19. New Jersey Performing Arts Center 1 Center St., Newark. Tickets: $20-92, available online at njsymphony.org.

New Jersey Symphony Orchestra celebrates Lunar New Year Festival and Concert

Jan. 25. New Jersey Performing Arts Center 1 Center St., Newark. Tickets: $19-80, available online at njsymphony.org.

Natalie Pompilio is a freelance writer based in Philadelphia. She can be reached at nataliepompilio@yahoo.com. Find her on Twitter @nataliepompilio. Find NJ.com/Entertainment on Facebook.