The Baltimore Symphony Orchestra has announced its 2022-2023 season, which marks the 40th anniversary of the Joseph Meyerhoff Symphony Hall.
The “Season to Celebrate” will kick off on Sept. 17 with an anniversary concert led by Jack Everly, the orchestra’s Principal Pops Conductor.
The BSO is entering its second year in search of a new music director to replace Marin Alsop, who stepped down last year after 14 years with the BSO.
“Our search for the BSO’s next music director drives the programs in our classical season,” said Tonya McBride Robles, BSO’s COO and senior vice president, at a Tuesday morning press conference.
The orchestra’s classical series will continue without Alsop, featuring seven guest conductors: Eva Ollikainen, Lorenzo Viotti, Thomas Søndergård, Finnegan Downie Dear, Anna Rakitina, Fabien Gabel, and Oskana Lyniv.
The series will also feature eight returning conductors: Rune Bergmann, Peter Oundjian, Jonathan Heyward, Kevin John Edusei, Christian Reif, Robert Trevino, Matthias Pintscher, and Kwamé Ryan.
BSO Sessions, the orchestra’s docuseries, will resume for a third season, providing backstage access to music director candidate interviews and performances.
This summer, the BSO will begin the first leg of its three-year statewide tour, Music for Maryland, starting with a Star Spangled Spectacular at Oregon Ridge in Baltimore County on July 3.
“We couldn’t be more elated to see the return of music,” Baltimore County Executive Johnny Olszewski Jr. said at the press conference.
“After two difficult years, I think it’s safe to say we are all ready to come together and feel the magic together in larger communities,” he said.
BSO will also visit Howard County’s Merriweather Post Pavilion on Aug. 14 to present a Movie with Orchestra.
“As we’re coming to the road of recovery, as we’re having more of our weddings and commencements, music is always a part of making those magical moments and memories,” Howard County Executive Calvin Ball said at the news conference.
“We can’t wait to sit on the Merriweather lawn and see you on stage nurturing our souls, bringing your wonderful music to our community,” he said.
As part of the Music for Maryland Tour, BSO will also visit the National Harbor in Prince George’s, Carroll Community College Rotary Amphitheater in Carroll County, PNC Waterside Pavilion in Calvert, and Wilmer Park in Kent.
Other season highlights include GospelFest 2023, led by assistant conductor Jonathan Rush in collaboration with the Howard University and Morgan State gospel choirs, and the return of the Movies with Orchestra series, featuring films such as The Godfather, Get Out, and the Christmas classic Home Alone.
