Mid-Atlantic Symphony season tickets now on sale
The Mid-Atlantic Symphony Orchestra will return to full orchestral performances in its 2021-22 season, with all five subscription series concerts to be presented locally at venues in Delaware’s Cape Region as well as on Maryland’s Eastern Shore.
The orchestra’s 24th season includes Beethoven’s “Symphony No. 3 in E-flat Major,” known as “Eroica,” as well as works by Brahms, Mozart, Tchaikovsky, Vivaldi and more. It also marks the return of the Elizabeth Loker Concerto Competition, which was suspended last season as the orchestra reimagined its season due to the novel coronavirus pandemic.
“The monumental Third Symphony marked a turning point in musical history and in Beethoven’s career, with the music’s power and weight representing heroism,” said Maestro Julien Benichou. “The Mid-Atlantic Symphony and its musicians are honored to perform this masterpiece in memory of those we lost during the pandemic, and in tribute to the heroic medical professionals and first responders who supported us during a very difficult time.”
“We are indebted to Maestro Benichou and the MSO musicians for continuing to perform throughout the pandemic, even as other orchestras fell silent,” said Jeffrey Parker, Mid-Atlantic Symphony board chair. “We look forward to again presenting full-orchestra programs and to making a full season of performance available at venues in Lewes and Rehoboth Beach.”
In addition to the “Eroica” symphony, the season-opening concert includes Mussorgsky’s “Overture to Khovanshchina” and Ravel’s “Le Tombeau de Couperin.” The program will be performed locally at 7:30 p.m., Saturday, Sept. 25, at Cape Henlopen High School in Lewes.
Vivaldi’s “Oboe Concerto,” with guest soloist Joshua Lauretig, and Tchaikovsky’s “String Serenade” will highlight the season’s second concert. Its local performance will be at 7:30 p.m., Saturday, Nov. 13, at Epworth United Methodist Church, Rehoboth Beach.
The popular Holiday Joy program features a selection of seasonal favorites with French soprano Norah Amsellem, who has performed at the Metropolitan Opera in New York, Milan’s La Scala, London’s Royal Opera and Vienna State Opera, among others. The festive program will be presented at 7 p.m., Saturday, Dec. 4, at Cape Henlopen High School.
The MSO’s non-subscription Toast to the New Year program features soprano Leah Hawkins, a recent alumna of the Lindemann Young Artist Development Program at the Metropolitan Opera, who will perform operatic and popular favorites. The single performance will begin at 7 p.m., Friday, Dec. 31, at Christ Church in Easton, Md.
The winner of the second Loker Concerto Competition will perform at the MSO’s March concerts, which also include Saint-Saëns’ “Concerto No. 2 for Cello,” with guest soloist Dominique de Willencourt, and Schumann’s Symphony No. 2. The program will be presented at 3 p.m., Saturday, March 12, at Epworth United Methodist Church.
Brahms’ uplifting “Symphony No. 2” and Mozart’s “Clarinet Concerto in A Major,” with guest soloist Yao Guang Zhai, will highlight the season finale, to be presented at 7 p.m., Friday, April 23, at Cape Henlopen High School.
Subscriptions for the five regular-season concerts are $195, with patrons free to choose from any of the three locations for each program. Individual tickets are $30, $45 or $50, depending upon the program and venue. Tickets for the New Year’s Eve program are $60 for general admission and $85 for premium seating.
Tickets to view the New Year’s Eve concert and April 24 season-finale concert via livestream also are available for $15 each. The livestream viewing option, with replays available for 10 days following the performance, is included with subscription and individual ticket purchases.
To ensure the safety of its audience members and musicians, the orchestra will require proof of COVID-19 vaccination for everyone entering venues.
For more information or to order tickets, go to midatlanticsymphony.org. To order tickets by telephone, call 888-846-8600.
