From the President
AS WE BRING the 2024 – 25 season to a close, we do so with an exciting culmination of music, artistry, and innovation. The six weeks included in this edition of Overture reflect some of the brightest stars and most ambitious projects of the entire year.
This past September, we set out on a journey exploring the music and perspective of BSO Composer in Residence James Lee III. Now, we can share in the experience of two new commissions each receiving their world premiere under Music Director Jonathon Heyward’ s direction: James’ cello concerto, Renewed Mind, featuring Joshua Roman( May 1 & 3 – 4) and his long-awaited Concerto for Orchestra( June 5 & 7 – 8), performed alongside Beethoven’ s“ Emperor” Piano Concerto No. 5 with the esteemed Yefim Bronfman.
We also take great pride in launching a new, multi-year Verdi opera initiative with landmark seasonconcluding performances of Verdi’ s Aida( June 13 & 15). These stunningly enhanced performances at the Meyerhoff and Strathmore complement our region’ s rich operatic landscape by pairing the power of a full orchestra with some of the best voices of today, including Angel Blue, Jamie Barton, and Limmie Pulliam. Discover more about this exciting production on page six.
Every week between now and mid-June holds highlights too numerous to summarize in this letter. Consider that on May 14 alone, just as members of the Orchestra join D-Nice for a special Preakness 150 Festival concert at Pier 6, hundreds of OrchKids students take to the Meyerhoff stage for the program’ s annual Spring Celebration Concert. Such breadth and depth of programming is only possible because of the BSO’ s unique position as a full-time symphony orchestra with two incredible homes, and a dual mindset prioritizing artistic excellence and community service.
Summer is another time when the magic of the BSO will be on full display. This year’ s expanded programming will feature more concerts across more venues, bridging classical and contemporary music in exciting ways, including the launch of SummerFest at Strathmore and our return to beloved venues like Oregon Ridge and Boordy Vineyards. Learn more on page eight.
In closing, thank you! Your unwavering applause and support have made this an unforgettable season. We have shared moments of joy, reflection, and inspiration. We look forward to the music yet to come and welcoming you back for another extraordinary season at the BSO.
Mark C. Hanson
PRESIDENT AND CEO BALTIMORE SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA
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