Orchestral - my/maSCENA

Met Opera Chorus and Yannick Nézet-Séguin photographed by Rose Callahan on April 29, 2019 at the Met Opera.

The Met and its Orchestra Reach Agreement, Providing a Path to September Reopening

By Newswire on 24 August 2021 Classical Music, Orchestral

Free Performances of Mahler’s Resurrection Symphony Added to Pre-season in Damrosch Park on September 4 and 5 New Met Orchestra Chamber Music Series at Carnegie Hall and in Neighborhood Venues to Begin with the New Season New York, NY (August 24, 2021)—A new collective bargaining agreement between the Metropolitan Opera and its orchestra, the last of the Met’s three largest unions to reach an agreement, was ratified today. To commemorate the occasion, the Met has announced two free, pre-season performances of Mahler’s Symphony No. 2, “Resurrection,” to take place in Damrosch Park at 8:00pm ET on Saturday, September 4, and…

Photo: Antoine Saito

Classics prevail in Payare’s first OSM season

By Arthur Kaptainis on 24 August 2021 Classical, Classical Music, Interviews, Orchestral

Rafael Payare will be in masterpiece mode for his inaugural season at the helm of the Orchestre symphonique de Montréal. The Venezuelan conductor’s indoor opening act on Sept. 14 comprises Shostakovich’s Fifth, arguably the most popular of all post-Mahlerian symphonies; Ravel’s La Valse, a venerable OSM showpiece; and Pierre Mercure’s Kaléidoscope, a Canadian favourite since its premiere by the OSM in 1948. The closing concerts in May and June feature Beethoven’s Ninth. “I would not say anything against this,” the 41-year-old said Monday when it was put to him that a playlist including Brahms, Bruckner, Debussy and Sibelius reflects a…

Crédit: Agence BigJaw

Festival de Lanaudière: An Exceptional Year, Reunited Again!

By Newswire on 10 August 2021 Arts Industry, Newswire, Orchestral, Romantic

Joliette, August 10, 2021 — The Festival de Lanaudière concluded its massively successful 2021 edition this weekend, wrapping up an auspicious return to large-scale concerts before vast audiences. In total, more than 18,000 festival-goers attended this summer’s programming of concerts and recitals in different venues, in addition to enjoying a new component of free musical walks-in-the-parks. Owing to several changes of distancing measures and the partial reopening of the Canada-USA border, many surprises awaited the Festival team this summer, even after announcing the event’s artistic programming on June 17. These surprises, however, turned into unforgettable moments: a few days after the…

San Francisco Symphony: Michael Tilson Thomas recovering until November

By Newswire on 9 August 2021 Arts Industry, Orchestral

ANNOUNCEMENT ON BEHALF OF MICHAEL TILSON THOMAS After a series of tests, Michael Tilson Thomas (MTT) was diagnosed with a brain tumor that required an immediate operation. The operation at the UCSF Medical Center was successful. He is now embarking on a course of therapy for the next several months which necessitates curtailing his public appearances through the end of October. MTT is being cared for by the excellent team at UCSF who are continuing to explore all possible options for treatment. “I deeply regret missing projects that I was greatly anticipating,” said Tilson Thomas. “I look forward to seeing…

Boston Symphony Orchestra appoints Earl Lee as new assistant conductor

By Newswire on 9 August 2021 Arts Industry, Orchestral

The Boston Symphony Orchestra has appointed Korean-Canadian conductor Earl Lee as the orchestra’s new assistant conductor for a two-year term beginning with the 2021–22 season. He will join the Boston Symphony Orchestra for his first podium appearance as assistant conductor during the 2022 Tanglewood season, followed by subscription concerts at Symphony Hall during the 2022–23 season. He succeeds former Assistant Conductor Yu-An Chang whose term with the BSO ended in 2020. Mr. Lee will be one of two assistant conductors; he joins Anna Rakitina whose tenure continues through 2023. In addition to leading his own performances with the Boston Symphony…

Francis Choinière. Photo: Tam Lan Truong

OPCM announces its 2021-2022 season

By Newswire on 29 July 2021 Arts Industry, Orchestral, Piano

Orchestre philharmonique et choeur des mélomanes 2021-2022 season includes Alain Lefèvre playing Mathieu’s Concerto de Québec Montreal, July 29, 2021 – The seventh season of the Orchestre Philharmonique et Chœur des Mélomanes (OPCM) includes pianist Alain Lefèvre as soloist in André Mathieu’s Concerto de Québec. This is one of three concerts in the Maison symphonique under the direction of Francis Choinière. “I have always been keen to support the next generation and it is with enthusiasm that I accepted the invitation of the young conductor Francis Choinière to present this gem,” Lefèvre said, referring to the concerto, a work he was instrumental…

Tanglewood showcases the other John Williams

By Paul E. Robinson on 26 July 2021 Concert Reviews, Orchestral, Romantic

It was encouraging to see concerts being given once again at Tanglewood, and with a big crowd in attendance. Finally, we are getting back to something approaching normal. Not yet normal, to be sure. Tanglewood is currently limited to 50% attendance and three-foot distancing. But for a large facility that still means a lot of people. There were 2,400 in the (covered) Shed and 6,600 on the lawn. On the strength of scores for dozens of very popular films, John Williams may be one of the best-known composers in the world. His music for Star Wars, Superman, Indiana Jones, E.T.,…

Photo: John Rennison

Brott Music Festival shifts into summer gear

By Arthur Kaptainis on 15 July 2021 Classical Music, Orchestral

Ladies and gentlemen, start your engines. Or actually, leave them off and start your radios, to hear Così fan tutte, the opera that opens the 2021 Brott Music Festival on July 15 in the normally not-so-operatic outdoor setting of the Ancaster Fairgrounds west of Hamilton, Ont. Drive-in operas and concerts have become a growth industry in the wake of the pandemic but not all such events involve a happy harmony with the presentation itself. This version of Mozart’s 1790 opera buffa takes place in a 1950s drive-in diner. A vintage automobile will be part of the staging by Anna Theodosakis.…

National Youth Orchestra of Canada: Mindful of the future

By Arthur Kaptainis on 4 June 2021 Classical Music, Orchestral

For the second summer in a row, the National Youth Orchestra of Canada will do without certain elements that might seem indispensable for an orchestral training program. A tour, for example, or performances under a conductor. And for the second summer in a row, the venerable institution – alumni of which constitute 40 percent of professional musicians playing in orchestras in Canada – is making the best of the situation by stressing the digital side of cultivating a career.“Operating a USB microphone, using a video camera, lighting and acoustics,” are some of the subjects mentioned by Kate Eccles, NYO communications…

OSM announces final concerts of the season

By Newswire on 13 May 2021 Orchestral

Montreal, May 13, 2021 – The OSM concludes a thoroughly exceptional season by presenting two concerts that are sure to leave a lasting impression! First, offered free of charge via webcast on June 15 VOICES OF WOMEN: AN ODE TO LIFE pays tribute to women creators and performers, and to all women in an ode to their sensitivity and diversity. Next, audience members are invited to join us at the Maison symphonique on May 28 and 29 for the last concert of the season, BEWITCHING MELODIES: BERLIOZ’S LES NUITS D’ÉTÉ led by Dutch conductor and Music Director of the Vancouver Symphony…

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