Leon Botstein News

THE ORCHESTRA NOW will perform an all-Richard Strauss program at Carnegie Hall on May 12, conducted by Leon Botstein, featuring An Alpine Symphony, Burleske with pianist Blair McMillen, and Times of the Day.

The Fisher Center at Bard has revealed its SummerScape 2026’s Spiegeltent programming, June 26 – August 15. Expanding the Fisher Center’s engagement with a vast range of artists, this year features 14 Spiegeltent debut performances.

The American Symphony Orchestra (ASO) and the Bard Festival Chorale perform a seldom-heard presentation of Hector Berlioz's 1841 version of Carl Maria von Weber's Romantic opera Der Freischütz at Carnegie Hall.

What is the American musical identity? A question for this special year!

Music director Leon Botstein leads the American Symphony Orchestra (ASO) on Friday, January 30 at 8 PM at Carnegie Hall in a program celebrating the 250th Anniversary of the Declaration of Independence.

The American Symphony Orchestra (ASO), led by Music Director Leon Botstein, will present Requiem and Revelation—an evening of sacred masterworks—on Thursday, November 13, 2025, at 8 p.m. at St. Bartholomew’s Church (325 Park Avenue, New York City).

Bard Conservatory of Music will celebrate its 20th anniversary with a landmark concert at Lincoln Center’s Alice Tully Hall on October 29, 2025. The program also honors President Leon Botstein’s 50th year of leadership, featuring Beethoven’s Ninth Symphony and the North American premiere of Tan Dun’s Choral Concerto: Nine. Tickets start at $20.

Though Bedrich Smetana’s DALIBOR—seen this week at Bard SummmerStage in a wonderful production by Jean-Romain Vesperini, with an ingenious set design by Bruno de Lavenere, a fine cast and the American Symphony Orchestra in impeccable form under Leon Botstein—was reputedly the composer’s favorite among his eight operas, it was a failure at its opening in Prague in 1868. There was never a fully staged production in this country until this current one. (I saw the July 30 matinee.)

Join Ocean Grove Camp Meeting Association for their first Messiah Spectacular! Join a distinguished roster of conductors, soloists, and a chamber orchestra as you become the chorus!

The American Symphony Orchestra has announced its 2025–2026 season, featuring four symphonic concerts and one choral-orchestral performance led by Music Director Leon Botstein.

Music Director Leon Botstein conducts the American Symphony Orchestra (ASO) in a rare performance of Strauss' first opera, Guntram, at Carnegie Hall on Friday, June 6 at 8 pm. 

Music Director Leon Botstein will lead the American Symphony Orchestra (ASO) in its debut performance at Lincoln Center’s David Geffen Hall, the third of four orchestral concerts in New York City during the ensemble’s 63rd season.

Toronto City Opera has revealed the eight finalists selected for the second annual Macina Voice Competition. The event will feature some of Canada's most promising young opera singers as they compete in front of a live audience. Learn more!

The Orchestra Now (TŌN) launches its winter/spring, 10th anniversary season in New York City with two concerts. Tickets are free and available online.

The Orchestra Now (TŌN) begins its winter/spring, 10th anniversary season led by music director Leon Botstein on February 8, and continues through May 18.

xOn Friday, February 21, 2025, acclaimed pianist Orion Weiss will release his new album, Arc III: Brahms, Schubert, Debussy, Dohnányi, Ligeti, Talma on First Hand Records. Listen to the first single now.

Opera director and Hudson resident R.B. Schlather reunites with early music band Ruckus for six performances of Handel's baroque blockbuster GIULIO CESARE at Hudson Hall from April 19-May 2, 2025.

The Orchestra Now will perform at the Met Museum on December 8 and offer a free concert at Manhattan's Talent Unlimited High School on December 15, featuring works by Siena, Wagner, and Parsifal.

The Orchestra Now (TŌN) performs Charles Ives' America, an all-Ives program celebrating the iconic American composer's 150th anniversary at Carnegie Hall on Thursday, November 21 at 7pm.

Esteemed pianist Michael Stephen Brown will perform in a duo recital presented by Artist Series Concerts of Sarasota. Mr. Brown will be joined by violinist Arnaud Sussmann. Learn more about the performance and see how to purchase tickets.