Michael Tilson Thomas News

The National Alliance for Audition Support (NAAS) will launch its first activities aimed at increasing diversity in American orchestras with a three-day Audition Intensive, June 6-8 at the New World Center in Miami Beach, FL. Eighteen pre-to-early professional Black and Latinx string musicians have been selected by The Sphinx Organization to participate in the three-day Intensive.

Throughout his career, Michael Tilson Thomas (MTT) has maintained a deep commitment to fostering musical excellence and innovation among the next generation of classical musicians, and this summer he embarks on three new educational partnerships to further that mission.

As a major highlight of its summer-long celebration, June 15-September 2, of the centennial of Leonard Bernstein's birth, Tanglewood, the summer home of the Boston Symphony Orchestra (BSO) in Lenox, MA, has programmed several fully staged and semi-staged productions of Leonard Bernstein's work written for the stage, featuring several Tony Award-winning Broadway performers, choreographers, and directors.

The Los Angeles Philharmonic Association announced today the four musicians selected for the LA Phil Resident Fellows program. The program, announced in November 2017, launched this year as a centerpiece initiative of the LA Phil's Centennial with the purpose of creating a pathway towards a more diverse and inclusive orchestra of tomorrow.  

The Muny announced today its full cast and design teams for the world regional premiere of Jersey Boys, July 9 - 16. This will be the first licensed production of Jersey Boys in the world. Jersey Boys is proudly sponsored by BMO Harris Bank.

Pianist Misha Dichter will appear in chamber music program with violinist Mark Peskanov and cellist Julian Schwarz as part of the Bargemusic Masterworks Series, Saturday evening, May 26, 2018 at 6 pm and Sunday afternoon, May 27, 2018 at 4 pm, featuring the New York premieres and world premiere of Gerard Schwarz's Three Duos for violin and cello. The program will also include Schubert's Piano Trio in B-Flat Major, D. 898 (Op. 99).

Distinguished pianist Misha Dichter will appear in recital alongside pianist Cipa Dichter, as part of Bargemusic's Masterworks Series, Sunday afternoon, May 13, 2018 at 4 pm. The pair will perform Schubert's Fantasy in F minor for four-hands Op. 103, D. 940; Mr. Dichter will also perform with Schubert's Piano Sonata in A Major, D. 959.

Following the success of last season's production of Péter Eötvös's Angels in America, New York City Opera presents Charles Wuorinen's Brokeback Mountain as the second installment in its annual LGBT Pride Series. Annie Proulx, author of the original short story that also inspired the 2005 blockbuster film, created the opera's libretto.

The New York Philharmonic's 2018 Concerts in the Parks, Presented by Didi and Oscar Schafer, will feature James Gaffigan conducting music celebrating Laureate Conductor Leonard Bernstein's centennial, evocative works highlighting the Orchestra's virtuosity, and music by students in the Philharmonic's Very Young Composers (VYC) program - the first time that VYC works have been performed in the parks concerts.

American Conservatory Theater (A.C.T.)Conservatory Director Melissa Smith announced today that honorary Master of Fine Arts degrees will be conferred on A.C.T. Artistic Director Carey Perloff, as well as acclaimed actors, directors, and teaching artists Steven Anthony Jones and Gregory Wallace. Perloff, Jones, and Wallace will receive their degrees at the graduation ceremony for the A.C.T. Master of Fine Arts Program class of 2018 on Monday, May 21 at 11 a.m. at A.C.T.'s Geary Theater (415 Geary Street, San Francisco).

The Jewish Museum will present Israeli-American pianist Daniel Gortler performing Theme and Variations, a concert honoring American composer John Corigliano's 80th birthday, on Thursday, May 24 at 7:30pm. This is Mr. Gortler's fourth recital at the Jewish Museum.

Three national organizations - The Sphinx Organization, New World Symphony, and the League of American Orchestras - have partnered to create the National Alliance for Audition Support (NAAS), a field-wide initiative with the long-term goal of increasing diversity in American orchestras. Supported by a four-year, $1.8 million grant from The Andrew W. Mellon Foundation, along with additional financial and programmatic contributions from America's orchestras, the Alliance will offer a holistic and personalized array of support to Black and Latinx musicians to develop their audition skills, increase their participation in auditions, and ultimately, increase their representation in orchestras.

Featured Performers Include Sopranos Sarah Shafer and Abigail Fischer, Tenor James Reese, and Baritone Lee Poulis

Michael Tilson Thomas Makes MET Orchestra Debut with Soprano Pretty Yende Singing Mozart and Mahler on June 5   The MET Orchestra returns to Stern Auditorium / Perelman Stage for a series of three concerts, led by three dynamic conductors, this May and June.

Hailed as "an artist who means every note he plays" (New York Times), internationally acclaimed pianist Jeffrey Siegel brings power and passion to his celebrated Keyboard Conversations -returning to Folsom for his seventh season. He has been called "The Leonard Bernstein of the piano" (Chicago Tribune).

The 2018 New York Philharmonic Concerts in the Parks, Presented by Didi and Oscar Schafer, will return for the 53rd season with free outdoor concerts, conducted by James Gaffigan, at Van Cortlandt Park, Bronx (June 12); the Great Lawn in Central Park, Manhattan (June 13); Cunningham Park, Queens (June 14); and Prospect Park, Brooklyn (June 15). In addition, Musicians from the New York Philharmonic will perform chamber music at the Free Indoor Concert at the Music Hall at Snug Harbor Cultural Center & Botanical Garden on June 17, 2018. Artists and repertoire for all of the concerts will be announced at a later date. Major corporate support for the 2018 New York Philharmonic Concerts in the Parks and the Free Indoor Concert has been provided by MetLife Foundation, Citi, and Emirates Airline.

Bloomingdale School of Music (BSM) is pleased to present pianist and faculty member Anna Khanina in a solo concert entitled Variations on Friday, May 4th at 7:00 pm. This free concert open to the community will be held at the school's home site located at 323 West 108th Street in Manhattan. Seating is limited.

The Celebrity Series of Boston announced its 2018-2019 season today, marking 80 years of bringing the world's greatest performing artists to Boston. In total, the 2018-2019 season will include 50 music, dance, and entertainment mainstage engagements, including a new artistic initiative to present three dance ensembles in their Boston debuts with live music at NEC's Plimpton Shattuck Black Box Theatre. The season will open on September 23 with Jazz Along the Charles, A Walkable Concert along the Charles River Esplanade featuring 25 jazz ensembles along a 2-mile loop. Neighborhood Arts will feature more than 150 workshops, classes, and concerts in schools and community venues performances across Boston.

Under the direction of National Philharmonic Concertmaster Colin Sorgi, the National Philharmonic Chamber Players perform the works of Schubert and Mendelssohn on April 22 at 3pm at the John Kendall Recital Hall, Potter Violins in Takoma Park, MD. Entitled "Next Generation," the concert showcases gifted students from the Philharmonic's Summer String Institutes performing the Mendelssohn Octet in E-flat Major alongside members of the Philharmonic Chamber Players. The concert also features Schubert's String Quartet in C Major. Potter's intimate hall seats only 90, allowing concert goers to experience chamber music as it was originally intended, up close and personal. Kids 7-17 are Free; adult tickets are $20 and can be purchased here: http://classicalmusicconcert.org/event/national-philharmonic-chamber-players-5/

The 95th season of the New York Philharmonic Young People's Concerts (YPCs) will conclude on Saturday, May 19, 2018, at 2:00 p.m. with "The Riddle of Shostakovich," the fourth program in this season's series, Inspirations and Tributes - each concert exploring how composers influence and pay tribute to each other. Assistant Conductor Joshua Gersen will lead the program, featuring selections from Shostakovich's Symphony No. 5. New York Philharmonic Teaching Artist Justin Jay Hines (Philharmonic debut) will host the event, written and directed by Kevin Del Aguila.