String Spirit

The much-anticipated joyous return to live classical music! A new September program — two performances — Friday 9/24 & Saturday 9/25.

“This program offers stellar showcases of our incredible Symphony string section, numbering some 60 players. We will perform Tchaikovsky’s Serenade for Strings, an immensely popular work inspired by Mozart’s serenades, but composed in Tchaikovsky’s inimitable style so beloved by all of us. The other piece is Edward Elgar’s Introduction and Allegro for string quartet and string orchestra. Elgar was a violinist himself, and this work was written to show off the virtuosity of the string orchestra. For those of you who don’t know the Poulenc Organ Concerto for strings, timpani and solo organ, this is one of his masterpieces. I so look forward to you joining us — joyfully welcoming the Madison Symphony Orchestra back safely to the stage in Overture Hall. I can’t wait to see all of you again.” – Music Director John DeMain

About These Concerts

Two performances of the new concerts will take place in Overture Hall. Seating in the first four sections will be offered, Orchestra, Parterre, Circle, and Mezzanine (the Balcony will be closed). Special ticket prices are $20, 40 and $60. 21/22 Symphony season subscribers can purchase tickets for 50% off (subscribers will be sent a discount code). The concert duration will be approximately 90 minutes — presented without an intermission.

Single tickets for “String Spirit” are on sale NOW through the Overture Center Box Office. Tickets can be purchased online at overture.org, in-person or by phone during Box Office hours (visit overture.org for current schedule). Phone: (608) 258-4141.

Please note that tickets for “Joyful Reunion, Beethoven’s Ninth” cannot be used for this new concert. All ticketholders for the “Joyful Reunion, Beethoven’s Ninth” concerts will be sent refunds for the value of the tickets they purchased. The MSO will continue its money back guarantee policy for tickets to any concert that does not take place as planned. The safety of audiences, musicians, guest artists and its staff is paramount. 

Overture Center Safety Policies

Please note that Overture Center COVID-19 safety policies will be in effect for this performance. Everyone who enters the Overture Center building will be required to adhere to the following requirements:

• must wear a face mask that covers nose and mouth.
• must be fully vaccinated, meaning their last dose must have been administered at least 14 days before the event.
• must show proof of a COVID-19 vaccination with a physical vaccination card, a photograph of the card or a digital vaccination record, or a negative COVID-19 test result taken within 72 hours prior to the performance, with a photo identification, such as a driver’s license, passport or student identification.

Visit our 21/22 Season Q&A page for answers to frequently asked questions: https://madisonsymphony.org/faq
Visit overture.org/health, for the latest information available.

Seating Chart

(click to enlarge)

About Greg Zelek

Praised as “extraordinary in the classical music world” (Jon Hornbacher, PBS Wisconsin Life), Greg Zelek is the Principal Organist of the Madison Symphony Orchestra and Curator of the Overture Concert Organ, where he oversees all of the MSO’s organ programming. Since September 2017, Greg has proudly held the Elaine and Nicholas Mischler Curatorship. In addition to concertizing throughout the United States, Greg regularly performs with orchestras as both a soloist and professional ensemble member, including the Florida Orchestra, Ridgewood Symphony, Jacksonville Symphony, MET Orchestra, and Miami Symphony Orchestra. In 2016, Greg was chosen by The Diapason magazine as one of the top “20 Under 30” organists, a feature which selects the most successful young artists in the field. He was the First Prize winner in the 2012 Rodgers North American Classical Organ Competition, the 2012 West Chester University Organ Competition, and the 2010 East Carolina University Organ Competition. A recipient of the inaugural Kovner Fellowship, Greg received his Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees, as well as an Artist Diploma, from the Juilliard School as a student of Paul Jacobs.

About the Rhapsodie Quartet

The Rhapsodie Quartet includes the Madison Symphony Orchestra’s Co-Concertmaster Suzanne Beia, Principal Violist Christopher Dozoryst, Principal Cellist Karl Lavine, and violinist Laura Burns. More than just a string quartet, the ensemble is the resident ensemble of our award-winning HeartStrings® Community Engagement Program, making monthly visits to healthcare and residential facilities. United in mission, the members of the quartet create a fusion of talent, passion, and heart in their performances.

THANK YOU TO OUR GENEROUS SPONSORS

Major funding provided by

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Additional funding provided by

with funds from the State of Wisconsin and the National Endowment for the Arts