Delaware Symphony Orchestra to return to live, in-person concerts
The Delaware Symphony Orchestra recently announced details of its upcoming 2021-22 season. The eight-concert offering will feature the music of Gershwin, Rachmaninoff, and more. Delaware’s only professional orchestra will perform with a diverse array of guest artists.
As restrictions ease, the DSO is anticipating the return of in-person attendance at all DSO performances starting in fall 2021.
“We’ve been waiting anxiously for the day that we could make this announcement,” said J.C. Barker, executive director. “Live audiences are what we crave. It will be glorious to welcome listeners back for the full DSO experience.”
Subscriptions and single tickets will be sold based on the full-capacity number for both series. The DSO will follow all up-to-date guidance regarding the state’s reopening as the year progresses.
“Planning our ‘21-22 season has been a nourishing dose of normalcy,” said David Amado, DSO music director. “We’re looking forward to rooms filled, on both sides of the proscenium, with eager music-makers and eager music-listeners, all engaged in a rewarding, colorful and exciting season. We are excited about sharing our passion in real time with real people. Great music played by our wonderful musicians reminding us all once more that there is no substitute for a live, in-person concert.”
The season will begin in September at the DuPont Country Club in Wilmington with a recital featuring Associate Concertmaster Luigi Mazzocchi and principal pianist Lura Johnson. Two concerts will follow that spotlight the orchestra musicians, including a performance of Antonio Vivaldi’s “Four Seasons” with DSO Concertmaster David Southorn.
“We received very positive feedback last year after moving our chamber series to the ballroom at the DuPont Country Club,” said David Kubacki, DSO president. “Despite the difficult circumstances in 2020, we found that our patrons and supporters enjoyed the intimate atmosphere.”
In January 2022, the symphony will make its triumphant return to Copeland Hall at the Grand Opera House in downtown Wilmington.
“We are so excited to welcome back live audiences this season,” said James Finegan, DSO players’ committee chair. “It has been a joy making music again with our colleagues, but we have missed the energy and excitement that comes from having our wonderful patrons with us in person. The energy that an audience brings is essential to any performing arts organization. My hope for this season and for the wider world is that there will be a resurgence of interest in live music, and classical music fans will remember why they fell in love with this incredible art form in the first place.”
The classics series will open with a concert featuring Rachmaninoff’s stunning “Symphonic Dances,” and Gershwin’s ever-popular “Rhapsody in Blue” with special guest artist Lara Downes. Concerts follow monthly through May, each with brilliant soloists including trumpeter David Krauss, Oliveira International Competition-winning violinist Sirena Huang, dazzling young pianist Drew Petersen and electrifying cellist Julian Schwarz. Concertos by Rachmaninoff, Mendelssohn, Hummel, and Saint-Saëns will be joined by symphonic favorites like Beethoven’s 7th Symphony and Holst’s mammoth work, “The Planets,” featuring the Wilmington Children’s Chorus.
“We’ve been through an enormously challenging year, but we’re now looking ahead. The future looks bright, and we are ready to bring back the magic of live music,” said Barker.
For more information, go to delawaresymphony.org.
