After eighteen months at a distance , the full Orchestra and in-person audiences returned to the concert hall for an Opening Night program featuring the great Itzhak Perlman .
The 2021-22 Season of Discovery to follow introduced special artists and new music ; explored forgotten works and repressed voices alongside beloved repertoire ; and saw our community rediscover the magic of experiencing live music together again .
Together with the debut of Artistic Advisor James Conlon and the return of Music Director Laureate and OrchKids Founder Marin Alsop , established and emerging guest conductors from around the world dominated the classical series as part of an international Music Director Search , documented in a fourteen-episode , second season of BSO Sessions . Season highlights included the BSO premiere of Clara Schumann ’ s Piano Concerto performed by Isata Kanneh-Mason ; a multi-media presentation of Kevin Puts ’ The Brightness of Light with operatic superstars Renée Fleming and Rod Gilfry ; and the world premiere of James Lee III ’ s Freedom ’ s Genuine Dawn , inspired by the words and life of Frederick Douglass , with BSO Artistic Partner Wordsmith . Most significantly , the season led us to Music Director Designate , Jonathon Heyward . In just two programs , leading the Orchestra in its first performance of Shostakovich ’ s Symphony No . 15 , and curating a Benefit Concert for Ukraine that invoked reflection and
Together with partners at the Creative Alliance , our Ukraine Benefit Concert raised $ 40,000 in humanitarian funds for the International Rescue Committee . inspired unity , Jonathon captured the hearts and minds of musicians and audiences alike .
In addition to an expanded Pops series and the return of celebrated family-friendly Holiday traditions and Movie with Orchestra programs , we piloted BSO Fusion with arranger / conductor Steve Hackman . The BSO also expanded its hybrid platform . For the first time ever , most classical and pops programs were available live or on-demand via BSO OffStage .
A Legacy Gift
In January 2022 , Marshall and Sarellen Levine endowed the Associate Principal Cello Chair – the Orchestra ’ s fourth endowed / position in four years . The current holder of the chair , Lachezar Kostov , has been Marshall ’ s private cello instructor for three years - a personal connection that made the gift even more meaningful .
“ We feel like we are an integral part of the BSO . It is something that we have always aspired to do , but we didn ’ t have the personal connection with someone like Lachezar . We hope that our investment will encourage others to do likewise .”
Marshall and Sarellen Levine
Reflecting our Communities
As part of an institutional commitment to welcoming more BIPOC individuals and women to the stage , podium , and score , the Orchestra adopted audition guidelines from Sphinx Organization , focused on increasing representation of Black and Latinx artists in classical music .
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