Next Concerts: Dazzling Violin & Spring
April 14, 15, 16 feat. Blake Pouliot, Violin
“April brings the return of Canadian violinist Blake Pouliot, who scored a hit with our audiences playing the Mendelssohn Violin Concerto a few years ago. This time he plays Saint-Saëns’s Violin Concerto No. 3, a work that combines great substance with great virtuosity. This is our first performance of this work in over twenty-five years, so it is quite an occasion.
The concert opens with the Four Sea Interludes from Benjamin Britten’s opera, Peter Grimes. These interludes are a masterpiece on their own, and are wonderfully descriptive listening. I first presented these colorful pieces when I first arrived in Madison and I so look forward to presenting them again as they are beloved by both myself and the musicians of our orchestra.
The first Brahms symphony I learned was his second symphony. It continues to be a personal favorite of mine as it is joyous and nature-infused, and represents Brahms at a happy time in his life. Brahms only gave us four symphonies, but each one is uniquely different and brilliantly composed.
We hope you’ll join us April 14-16 in Overture Hall for this exciting program!”
— John DeMain, Music Director
Related Special Events
Friday, April 14
Join Madison Symphony Orchestra musicians, Music Director John DeMain, special guests, and members of the LGBTQ+ community and friends age 21 and above for Out at the Symphony on Friday, April 14! Your ticket includes a fantastic seat at the concert, plus the after-party, for $50.
Thursday, April 13
Experience Blake Pouliot’s final rehearsal with the MSO on Thursday, April 13. Take advantage of this wonderful opportunity to experience a working symphony in action and be sure to bring the young musicians in your life to see what happens behind the scenes! Registration (free) is required.
Upcoming Performances & Other News
Monday, June 19
Early Bird Pricing Through April 3!
Registration is now open for Concert on the Green! Join us for a memorable day of golf and a magical evening of entertainment at Bishops Bay Country Club. Highlights include a golf tournament, celebrity guest Mike Leckrone, cocktail party, dinner, and the Let Freedom Ring concert in celebration of Juneteenth. Golf and dinner packages are $395 per person, or take advantage of our new evening-only Early Bird price of $195 per person through April 3 (increases to $225 on April 4).
Tuesday, April 18, 7:30 p.m.
“After our first performance together back in 2019 and a solo performance of Dvořák’s Cello Concerto with the MSO, Thomas Mesa returns as we collaborate once again in a program of organ and cello music. Mr. Mesa and I will both perform works by women composers, such as Nadia Boulanger’s gorgeous Trois Pièces, as well as a solo cello work written for him by Spanish composer Andrea Casarrubios. We will close this exciting evening with a commissioned work written for the two of us, Daniel Ficarri’s Sonata in C minor for Organ and Cello, which was inspired by our first performance at Overture Hall. You won’t want to miss the world premiere of this incredible piece!” — Greg Zelek, Principal Organist
All tickets to this concert are just $25. Learn more and join us!
The MSO is excited to announce a wonderful endowment gift from donors William (Bill) and Alexandra Dove to endow and name a prominent position in the orchestra, Assistant Principal Viola. This chair is currently held by violist Katrin Talbot. Together, Bill and Alexandra were longtime subscribers and annual donors to the Symphony, and longtime residents of Capitol Lakes Retirement Community.
Learn more about them and the deep meaning behind this generous gift!
Thank you to Jonathan Gramling for interviewing our Executive Director Robert Reed in a recent issue of Capital City Hues! Part two of this story appeared in their February 20, 2023 issue and the full text of the article can be found on our website.
With its powerful voice and myriad inflections, the organ is justifiably called The King of Instruments. Madison Symphony Orchestra Principal Organist Greg Zelek recently sat down with WPR’s Norman Gilliland to discuss the Overture Concert Organ in Madison’s Overture Center for the Arts and demonstrate its many charms and versatility.
Community Events
Madison Ballet: Ballet Beyond
March 31-April 9
Starlight Theater at MYArts
Join Madison Ballet for their season finale at the MYArts Center Starlight Theater, comprised of two distinct programs. Evening performances of Ballet Beyond take place from March 31st to April 8th, 2023, and matinee performances of Ballet Beyond: Family Series are April 1st to April 9th, 2023. These performances will showcase the precision of Madison Ballet’s company to audiences of all ages. Ballet Beyond marks Madison Ballet’s first production at the MYArts Center and the conclusion of the 41st season. Learn more and buy tickets.
Forward Theater: Artemisia
April 13-30
Playhouse, Overture Center for the Arts
Forward Theater is proud to present the World Premiere of Artemisia, a new play by Lauren Gunderson (author of Silent Sky and I and You). Artemisia Gentileschi was the most celebrated female painter of the 17th century, yet her name is remembered by few. A work of humor and warmth that celebrates the courage, artistry, and humanity of a woman who attacked the glass ceiling with every brush stroke. Learn more and buy tickets.
Children’s Theater of Madison: Peter Pan
April 22-30
Capitol Theater, Overture Center for the Arts
Experience the magic! Take flight with Peter, Wendy, Michael and John as they venture to Neverland, meet the Lost Boys and fight the villainous Captain Hook! One of the most beloved musicals of all time flies back into the Capitol Theater. A stellar cast, a gorgeous score played by a live orchestra and marvelous flying effects bring you a Broadway-quality show you’ll never forget. Featuring Marcus Truschinski as Captain Hook! Learn more and buy tickets.
Madison Opera: The Marriage of FIgaro
April 28 & 30
Overture Hall, Overture Center for the Arts
In 1786, Mozart revolutionized opera. Taking Beaumarchais’ play about servants and nobility – so incendiary that it was banned in Vienna – Mozart composed an opera that is both funny and moving, creating a sublime masterpiece. The opera takes place on one day, and tells of Susanna and Figaro’s maneuvering to get married as they plot around the Count with the help of the Countess and several people with their own agendas. Music elevates every moment, and the flaws of humanity give way to the beauty of compassion. One of the greatest operas ever written, Figaro is ever-young, ever-wise, and ever-transcendent. Learn more and buy tickets.
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