Yo-Yo Ma
André
Watts
Joshua Bell
“The element of surprise is
something I hope people enjoy”
— Matt Spivey
Kwame
Kwei-Armah
Theatre and Edward Berkeley (who brought the 2014 production
of A Midsummer Night’s Dream to life). She’s also looking forward to Porgy and Bess in April, which will partner the BSO with
Center Stage Artistic Director Kwame Kwei-Armah.
“The concert version of Gershwin’s music offers humor,
romance, and tragedy in timeless songs,” says Alsop. “We will also
explore racial issues surrounding this piece.”
Alsop notes that other highlights from the season will be the
performance of Verdi’s Requiem and a concert juxtaposing Vivaldi
with the contemporary composer Philip Glass.
“This season we continue our popular Off the Cuff series,” Alsop
says, “another hallmark initiative of the BSO to reach out to audiences
in new ways and share our passion for and knowledge of the music.”
The coming season will feature conversational performances of
Rachmaninoff and Elgar’s Enigma Variations.
For his part, Spivey is looking forward to the return of the worldfamous Yo-Yo Ma, the BSO’s performance of Bach’s Mass in B Minor
under the baton of baroque expert Nicholas McGegan, and, of course,
the one-night celebration of the BSO’s birth date on February 11.
“Marin is planning something quite special,” he says. The
evening will include a performance by violinist Joshua Bell. “I think
that concert will convey the significance of 100 years and it will be
fun, full of surprises, and a musical party.”
The BSO is extending the celebratory vibe to the reaches of the
symphony hall, with special exhibits in the hall itself and a forthcoming book on the history of the orchestra that will be available for sale
in the Fall. Concertgoers will even get an anniversary gift: as part of
its ongoing efforts to improve the concert-going experience, the box
office has opted to remove all handling fees from ticket purchases.
During the centennial year, the BSO intends to press its commitment to outreach with young musical ambassadors across
Maryland spreading the BSO mission, with its OrchKids and
Youth Orchestras programs. “Through our educational outreach,
we hope to change the demographics of our orchestra makeup over
the next few decades,” says Alsop.
Whether you look forward to John Waters’ reprise of Hairspray,
A Gospel Christmas with the Morgan State University Choir, or a
night of all Beethoven featuring three of the master’s works led by
new BSO Principal Guest Conductor Markus Stenz, the 100th season
at the BSO promises to honor the organization’s history while
looking to a very bright future.
Nicholas
McGegan
Kevin
Puts
John
Waters
DHMH RSA # R24924
Edward
Berkeley
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TRUST, INTEGRITY &
EXCELLENCE SINCE 1957
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Salerno Sonnenberg
May– June 2015 |
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