Christopher Rouse News

The New York Philharmonic's 2013-14 season will be marked by an integration of ongoing artistic initiatives that have become hallmarks of Alan Gilbert's tenure as Music Director, alongside the introduction of new ideas that will advance the Orchestra and its role in the cultural life of New York City and the world.

American Lyric Theater (ALT) has been awarded two grants of $15,000 each from OPERA America's THE OPERA FUND for Repertoire Development. Announced earlier today by OPERA America, the grants are for two operas in development at ALT: La Reina by composer Jorge Sosa and librettist Laura Sosa Pedroza; and The Long Walk, by composer Jeremy Howard Beck and librettist Stephanie Fleischmann based on Brian Castner's critically acclaimed book of the same name.

One of the country's most prestigious musical institutions, the Oberlin Conservatory of Music comes to New York City in January for a tour -- spanning four concerts in four venues -- that includes performances by the Oberlin Faculty Jazz Ensemble, Oberlin Contemporary Music Ensemble with International Contemporary Ensemble (ICE), Oberlin College Choir, Oberlin Baroque and the Oberlin Orchestra.

Ludovic Morlot, music director of the Seattle Symphony, returns to Walt Disney Concert Hall on Thursday, January 24, at 8:00PM, Friday, January 25, at 11:00AM and Saturday, January 26, at 8:00 PM to conduct the Los Angeles Philharmonic in Beethoven's 5th Symphony. The program also features pianist Emanuel Ax performing Mozart's Piano Concerto No. 25, K. 503.

ADAM KANTOR (Rent) and BETSY WOLFE (The Mystery of Edwin Drood) will co-star in the highly anticipated revival of JASON ROBERT BROWN's musical THE LAST FIVE YEARS at Second Stage Theatre. The beloved two-character musical, which has received more than 500 regional productions and 3,000 performances around the world, is returning to New York City after eleven years in an all-new staging directed by Mr. Brown. THE LAST FIVE YEARS will begin previews on Thursday, March 7 at Second Stage's Tony Kiser Theatre (305 West 43rd street). Opening night is scheduled for Tuesday, April 2 at 7pm.

One of the country's most prestigious musical institutions, the Oberlin Conservatory of Music comes to New York City in January for a tour -- spanning four concerts in four venues -- that includes performances by the Oberlin Faculty Jazz Ensemble, Oberlin Contemporary Music Ensemble with International Contemporary Ensemble (ICE), Oberlin College Choir, Oberlin Baroque and the Oberlin Orchestra.

In the 2012-13 season, North American orchestras are performing premieres of 165 compositions by 150 composers, according to the League's newly published Premieres List. Of these works, 127 are world premieres, 27 are U.S. premieres and 11 are Canadian premieres. 25% of the premieres are directly connected to community celebrations or partnerships.

The following events have been announced at Lincoln Center.

New York Philharmonic Chairman Gary W. Parr and Executive Director Matthew VanBesien announced today the extension of Alan Gilbert's contract as Music Director through the 2016-17 season. Mr. Gilbert opened his tenure as Music Director on September 16, 2009, and has just begun his fourth season.

Standing room only crowd jams Meyerhoff Symphony to start new season.

Baltimore Symphony Orchestra (BSO) Music Director Marin Alsop leads the BSO in 2012-2013 Season Preview Concerts on Thursday, September 13 at 8 p.m. at the Music Center at Strathmore and on Friday, September 14 at 8 p.m. at the Joseph Meyerhoff Symphony Hall. The concert highlights programs from the 2012-2013 season, such as Beethoven's Symphony No. 5, music from Bernstein's West Side Story, and a performance of Baltimore native Christopher Rouse's Ku-Ka-Ilimoku. Maestra Alsop also serves as the evening's host, providing interesting commentary about each work. Advance tickets are just $10 (and $15 at the door). Please see below for complete program details.

Dynamic and graceful solo percussionist Lisa Pegher (www.lisapegher.com), called "the future of percussion" by the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, makes her New York City debut at the cell, located at 338 W. 23rd Street (btwn 8th & 9th) in Manhattan. The concert, held on Thursday, June 28, 2012 at 8pm will feature works by Tobias Brostrom, Paul Lansky, Joe Sheehan, Leigh Stevens, and Andrew Knox. Tickets are $15 in advance, $20 at the door, and are available at www.thecelltheatre.org. the cell, "A Twenty First Century Salon™", is a not-for-profit collective for artists to incubate and present new work. For more information, email info@thecelltheatre.org or call 646.861.2253.

Dynamic and graceful solo percussionist Lisa Pegher (www.lisapegher.com), called "the future of percussion" by the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, makes her New York City debut at the cell, located at 338 W. 23rd Street (btwn 8th & 9th) in Manhattan. The concert, held on Thursday, June 28, 2012 at 8pm will feature works by Tobias Brostrom, Paul Lansky, Joe Sheehan, Leigh Stevens, and Andrew Knox. Tickets are $15 in advance, $20 at the door, and are available at www.thecelltheatre.org. the cell, "A Twenty First Century Salon™", is a not-for-profit collective for artists to incubate and present new work. For more information, email info@thecelltheatre.org or call 646.861.2253.

American Composers Orchestra's (ACO) 21st Annual Underwood New Music Readings take place from tonight, Friday, June 1 to Saturday, June 2, 2012 at the DiMenna Center for Classical Music (450 W. 37th St., NYC). The Readings include two public events - a working rehearsal on Friday at 10am, and a run-through on Saturday at 7:30pm. Both events are free and open to the public, giving audiences a chance to look behind the scenes at the process involved in bringing brand new, stylistically diverse orchestral music to life.

New York City Ballet's 2012 Spring Gala tonight, May 10 will feature a one-time-only salute to France titled À La Francaise, and will feature two World Premiere ballets, one by NYCB's Ballet Master in Chief Peter Martins to a score by the French composer Marc-Andre Dalbavie; and one by French-born choreographer and former NYCB Principal Dancer Benjamin Millepied to a commissioned score by Nico Muhly. The evening will also include a major revival of George Balanchine's Symphony in C, which was created for the Paris Opera Ballet in 1947 to a score by the French composer Georges Bizet.

American Composers Orchestra's (ACO) 21st Annual Underwood New Music Readings will take place from Friday, June 1 to Saturday, June 2, 2012 at the DiMenna Center for Classical Music (450 W. 37th St., NYC).

Cellist Alisa Weilerstein will perform Samuel Barber's challenging Cello Concerto in four concerts with the New York Philharmonic and conductor David Zinman in March, including three concerts at Avery Fisher Hall (March 8, 10 & 13) and one at the New Jersey Performing Arts Center (March 9).

New York City Ballet announced today that its 2012 Spring Gala on Thursday, May 10 will feature a one-time-only salute to France titled À La Francaise, and will feature two World Premiere ballets, one by NYCB's Ballet Master in Chief Peter Martins to a score by the French composer Marc-Andre Dalbavie; and one by French-born choreographer and former NYCB Principal Dancer Benjamin Millepied to a commissioned score by Nico Muhly. The evening will also include a major revival of George Balanchine's Symphony in C, which was created for the Paris Opera Ballet in 1947 to a score by the French composer Georges Bizet.

The New York Phiharmonic has just announced the 2012-13 season, which is set to include a staged production of Rodgers & Hammerstein's Broadway hit Carousel, February 27-March 2, 2013, directed by James Brennan and conducted by Rob Fisher - the same team behind the Philharmonic's acclaimed 2007 production of My Fair Lady. Mr. Brennan, who is also an actor and choreographer, has directed performances on Broadway, Off-Broadway, and regional theater. Mr. Fisher is the founding director of New York City Center's Encores! series, and has been a part of numerous productions and projects.

Cellist Alisa Weilerstein will perform Samuel Barber's challenging Cello Concerto in four concerts with the New York Philharmonic and conductor David Zinman in March, including three concerts at Avery Fisher Hall (March 8, 10 & 13) and one at the New Jersey Performing Arts Center (March 9).