HEAR IT FROM Heyward
A glance ahead at the 2024 – 25 Season with Music Director Jonathon Heyward by Lauren Fischer
JH : What ’ s exciting about Aida is , when you pare it down , it has a simple , beautiful narrative . Being able to streamline this narrative into a fascinating semi-staged adaptation provides an even more interesting perspective that I think audiences will cherish , and the versatility and quality of the Baltimore Symphony fits so well with Verdi ’ s dramatic and flexible score .
The mightiness of the Orchestra ’ s brass playing is perfectly suited with Aida ’ s triumphant marches and military themes . The sweetness of the string sound that we have in the Orchestra will elicit this beautiful and intricate love story that drives the whole opera . Finally , the tenderness of our wind players will be able to elicit the conflict between father and daughter , which is another strained relationship in Aida .
All of these qualities help tell the story in the most musical way , which is again another reason why I think our Orchestra is perfect for it .
Jonathon Heyward
This season , the Baltimore Symphony Orchestra celebrates Music That Resonates — rhapsodic classics , fairytales and drama , and spiritual elevation . Overture Editor Lauren Fischer recently sat down with Music Director Jonathon Heyward to discuss what he is looking forward to this season as the Orchestra embarks on a new chapter .
Lauren Fischer : One of this season ’ s highlights will surely be Aida with soprano Angel Blue , the first such performance in a multi-year Verdi opera initiative . What sort of connection do you hope listeners will make with Verdi ’ s music , both through Aida and our multi-year commitment to the composer ’ s operatic works ?
Jonathon Heyward : Our opera project is in direct response to what I heard from audience members . There is this sense of passion for this art form at both our homes , and a real interest in having more opera in Baltimore where , as you may or may not know , there ' s a storied operatic history . Being able to respond to that need in a way only the BSO can was important to me . As a cellist , I have also played in opera orchestras and have always loved performing Verdi . The new initiative is a great opportunity to experience these operas again from the podium .
LF : Another element of this season is the official arrival of James Lee III as the BSO ’ s Composer in Residence . What inspired you to embark on this partnership with him ?
JH : As I continue to think of partnerships that are meaningful for the BSO , I believe it is important that we champion local voices and Baltimore ’ s own . James Lee III is a professor at Morgan State University and has been for many years . He is an internationally known composer who really knows Baltimore and the Orchestra ’ s unique sound , and a partnership like this is a very special thing . We ’ re in for a wonderful sort of journey through Lee III ’ s music as we commission quite a few works and play his existing pieces .
LF : What about Lee III ’ s music do you think will excite audiences this season , particularly as the BSO premieres his new works , written specifically for the Orchestra ?
JH : What I love about Lee III ’ s music is the “ cinematography ” that comes with it . It is illustrative and it takes you on an adventure from the first note to the very last . With this ability to spark such vivid imagery comes an incredible sense of relatability to James ’ s work . You can ' t not be captivated by his music , or not be interested , because it ' s so accessible .
James Lee III
Explore more about the 2024-25 Season at bsomusic . org
LF : What is it about the BSO , specifically , that makes it well-suited for an opera performance ?
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