CIRQUE DE LA SYMPHONIE HOLIDAY SPECTACULAR
About the Artists
Nicholas Hersh
Nicholas Hersh currently serves as Associate Conductor of the Baltimore Symphony Orchestra and Artistic Director of the Baltimore Symphony Youth Orchestras . Since joining the BSO as Assistant Conductor in 2014 , he continues to make his mark on the mid- Atlantic region with exciting , innovative programming — notably as conductor and co-curator of the acclaimed BSO Pulse series , bringing together indie bands and orchestral musicians in unique collaborations .
As Associate Conductor , Hersh directs the BSO ’ s educational and family programming , including the celebrated Academy for adult amateur musicians , as well as a variety of classical and popular programs . Following his successful BSO subscription debut , Hersh conducts the BSO in a set of subscription concerts each season . He has also appeared in concert with such orchestras as the National Repertory Orchestra and the New World , New Jersey , Auburn and Southern Great Lakes symphonies . Hersh frequently collaborates with and is guest faculty at the Peabody Conservatory , and partners with the BSO ’ s OrchKids program for Baltimore City schoolchildren .
Hersh grew up in Evanston , IL and started his musical training on the cello . He earned a bachelor ’ s degree in Music from Stanford University and a master ’ s degree in Conducting from the Indiana University Jacobs School of Music , studying with David Effron and Arthur Fagen . In 2011 and 2012 he was a Conducting Fellow with the prestigious American Academy of Conducting at Aspen , studying with mentors Larry Rachleff , Robert Spano and Hugh Wolff , and has participated in masterclasses with Bernard Haitink and Michael Tilson Thomas . Hersh is also a two-time recipient of the Solti Foundation Career Assistance Award .
Hersh continues to earn acclaim for his skill as an arranger and orchestrator : he has had frequent arrangement commissions from the BSO as well as from the Cleveland Pops , the National Repertory Orchestra and the Jackson Symphony . His orchestral arrangement of Queen ’ s famous “ Bohemian Rhapsody ” saw worldwide success after the video of its premiere and subsequent studio recording went viral on the Internet .
Nicholas Hersh last appeared with the BSO in December 2017 , conducting " A Christmas Carol ."
Cirque de la Symphonie
Cirque de la Symphonie is an exciting production designed to bring the magic of cirque to the music hall . It is an elegant adaptation of some of the most amazing cirque acts performed on a stage shared with the full symphony orchestra , showcasing many of the best artists in the world . The audience is thrilled and bedazzled by aerial flyers , acrobats , contortionists , dancers , jugglers , balancers and strongmen . These accomplished
Cirque de la Symphonie veterans include world-record holders , gold-medal winners of international competitions , Olympians and some of the most original talent ever seen . Each performance is perfectly choreographed to classical masterpieces , raising cirque artistry to a fine arts level . Adding a stunning visual element to the concert experience , these aerialists and acrobats provide a three-dimensional entertainment extravaganza . Orchestras play with enhanced enthusiasm , while patrons marvel at the jaw-dropping spectacle of aerialists flying overhead and astonishing acrobatic feats . Fusing the power and majesty of the live orchestra with the best of cirque artistry , Cirque de la Symphonie is the only cirque company in the world that performs exclusively with symphony orchestras . Over 100 orchestras worldwide have featured Cirque de la Symphonie in sold-out venues , adding energy and excitement to the concert experience .
Cirque de la Symphonie last appeared with the BSO in January 2016 , Jack Everly , conductor .
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