EVOKING FRESH INTERPRETATIONS AND PERSPECTIVES
Notable soloists and special guests share their talents and unique interpretations of both beloved and new works . Rakitina ’ s program is coupled with Joshua Bell ’ s performance of the Mendelssohn Violin Concerto , while Marin Alsop is joined by another celebrated violinist — Augustin Hadelich . Fresh off her BSO debut , Isata Kanneh-Mason returns to perform Prokofiev ’ s Piano Concerto No . 3 , and joins the beloved pianist ranks of Stewart Goodyear , Michelle Cann , and Khatia Buniatishvili in concertos by Ravel , Price , and Tchaikovsky ( respectively ).
Alongside conductor Oskana Lyniv , famed opera soprano Angel Blue makes her BSO debut in selections from Terrence Blanchard ’ s highly acclaimed Fire Shut Up in My Bones , an opera in which Blue performed an historic occasion : the Met ’ s first performance of an opera by a Black composer .
James Conlon also calls upon his talents for vocal masterworks in Verdi ’ s Requiem with the opera superstars Michelle Bradley , Yulia Matochkina , Russell Thomas , and Morris Robinson , and takes a fresh look at Bernstein ’ s “ Kaddish ” Symphony with narration written by the late Holocaust survivor Samuel Pisar , delivered by his family — Judith and Leah Pisar .
Artistic Partner Wordsmith unveils new narration for Stravinsky ’ s The Soldier ’ s Tale , rewritten from the point of view of a Black soldier during the Vietnam War . Rune Bergmann pairs this with his own suite of selections from Prokofiev ’ s ever-popular ballet Romeo and Juliet .
And , just in case you think you ’ ve seen it all , double bassist Xavier Foley takes the stage in a performance of his own Concerto .
24 GUEST ARTIST DEBUTS
27 WOMEN GUEST ARTISTS , CONDUCTORS , OR COMPOSERS
52 BIPOC GUEST ARTISTS , CONDUCTORS , OR COMPOSERS
CELEBRATED RETURNS
HISTORIC CELEBRATIONS , SPECIAL EVENTS , STAR-STUDDED POPS , AND MORE
The beloved Jack Everly opens the season in a special Gala to celebrate the 40 th anniversary of the Meyerhoff Symphony Hall — just the beginning to his exciting final season as Principal Pops Conductor . Pops fans can delight in a year filled with Everly ’ s favorite works , from Broadway to The Beatles ! Principal Pops Conductor of the Nashville
Symphony Enrico Lopez-Yañez also conducts a night of Latin Fire , an energetic celebration of Latin American orchestral favorites .
In a tribute in and beyond our concert halls , the BSO celebrates Rachmaninoff ’ s 150 th birthday , showcasing three of his most popular works — his Second Symphony , Third Piano Concerto , and Symphonic Dances , ahead of joining the Cathedral Choral Society at the Washington National Cathedral in The Bells in March .
Assistant Conductor Jonathan Rush spearheads a festival designed in his wheelhouse : GospelFest 2023 . Exploring the quintessentially American art form that resounds across Baltimore , the Festival will take audience members on a journey , from Celebrating the History of Gospel with Richard Smallwood to a world premiere of a new gospel work for orchestra by Adolphus Hailstork , and culminating in a star-studded night with Tasha Cobbs Leonard and the powerhouse choirs of Morgan State and Howard Universities .
Crowning the much-loved Movie with Orchestra series is the celebration of The Godfather ’ s 50 th anniversary , rounded out with Get Out , Black Panther , and Home Alone . And Steve Hackman continues his quest to introduce new genres to new audiences by fusing the music of Tchaikovsky X Drake , Beethoven X Coldplay , and Queen and Gershwin in Bohemian Rhapsody in Blue .
Jack Everly
Isata Kanneh-Mason
Augustin Hadelich
Enrico Lopez-Yañez
Xavier Foley
This is just scratching the surface ! From Family Concerts to Off The Cuff , the traditions of our holiday season and more , the 2022 – 23 season will awaken something in everyone . Begin your exploration at BSOmusic . org .
MAR-APR 2022 / OVERTURE 11