Music Director Christoph Eschenbach Returns to Houston Symphony for Concert, 3/3-5
By: Christina Mancuso Feb. 20, 2017
Former Houston Symphony Music Director Christoph Eschenbach returns to Houston to conduct a spiritually-uplifting program of works by Austrian composer Anton Bruckner. Concerts are at 8 p.m. on March 3 and 4, and 2:30 p.m. on March 5.
Christoph Eschenbach Returns
Eschenbach is best known by Houston audiences for heightening the orchestra's national and international reputation in addition to broadening its repertoire during his time as music director from 1988-1999. Under his leadership, the orchestra toured Japan and Europe several times and made several recordings with Koch International Classics, Virgin Records, RCA Red Seal, Telarc, and Carlton Records. Eschenbach is credited with supporting young talented musicians and helping launch the careers of many of today's most popular classical artists including pianist Lang, cellist Claudio Bohórquez, and soprano Marisol Montalvo.
The Houston Symphony Chorus and young vocalists Lindsay Russel, Zoie Reams, Jack Swanson and Kyle Albertson will join Eschenbach and the orchestra to perform Bruckner's grandiose first symphony and thunderous Te Deum, based on an ancient Latin text praising God. Making their Houston Symphony debuts, Russel, Reams, Swanson and Albertson are among the next generation of opera virtuosos who have already made a name for themselves in Houston.
Young Artists Make Their Houston Symphony Debuts
Soprano Lindsay Russell is quickly gaining recognition in the opera world for her strong acting ability and vocal versatility. Currently in her first season on the Houston Grand Opera's roster, Russel has starred as Addie Mills in The House Without a Christmas Tree, appeared in its production of It's a Wonderful Life and sang the roles of Bettie/Bea in the world premiere of David Hanlon's new opera After the Storm with HGOco.
In her first year as a studio artist with the Houston Grand Opera, mezzo-soprano Zoie Reams has been a featured artist in the world premieres of Jake Heggie's It's a Wonderful Life and Laura Kaminsky's Some Light Emerges, in addition to John Adam's Nixon in China. Reams joined the Houston Grand Opera after competing with almost 600 young opera professionals from across the country for the opportunity to study and perform under the HGO's highly respected staff of teachers and performers.
A graduate of the Shepherd School of Music at Rice University, tenor Jack Swanson is quickly becoming one of the most sought-after voices in the opera world. He was a finalist in both Houston Grand Opera's Eleanor McCollum competition and Fort Worth Opera's McCammon Competition. In 2015, Swanson made his debut at the Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts and in 2016, he performed scenes from Rossini's La Cenerentola with HGO studio artists and world-renowned mezzo-soprano, Joyce DiDonato, at the Houston Grand Opera's 60th anniversary gala.
Bass-baritone Kyle Albertson is known for his versatile voice, confidence, style and ability to bring a character to life. After singing Mr. Rodriguez in Past the Checkpoints with HGOco, Albertson made his Houston Grand Opera main-stage debut as Sacristan in Tosca and most recently appeared in its two productions of Manon. Additionally, recent debut performances in Texas include roles as Bartolo in IL Barbiere di Siviglia at the Fort Worth Opera and Zuniga in Carmen at the Dallas Opera. As a concert artist, Albertson's solo performances include a concert version of Der Rosenkavalier with Eschenbach and the National Symphony Orchestra.
All programs and artists are subject to change.
ESCHENBACH CONDUCTS BRUCKNER conert performances are at 8 p.m. on March 3 and 4, and 2:30 p.m. on March 5 at Jones Hall for the Performing Arts, 615 Louisiana Street. For tickets and information, please call 713-224-7575 or visit houstonsymphony.org. Tickets start at $25.
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