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orchestra

may 9-11

Gershwin!

Venue: Overture Hall

Friday, May 9, 2025
7:30 p.m.

Saturday, May 10, 2025
7:30 p.m.

Sunday, May 11, 2025
2:30 p.m.

Our 99th season finale opens with Gershwin’s Cuban Overture, pulsing with Caribbean rhythms from dance music he fell in love with on a vacation to Havana. Beloved pianist Philippe Bianconi returns for his seventh appearance performing Gershwin’s masterpiece Concerto in F. Our maestro John DeMain has conducted more than 400 performances of Gershwin’s Porgy and Bess throughout the world. He led a history-making production with the Houston Grand Opera, winning a Grammy Award, Tony Award, and France’s Grand Prix de Disque for the RCA recording. He brings Michelle Johnson, Eric Greene, and our Madison Symphony Chorus together to share his passion for this iconic work to close the season!

John DeMain, Conductor
Philippe Bianconi, Piano
Michelle Johnson, Soprano
Eric Greene, Baritone
Madison Symphony Chorus, Beverly Taylor, Director

music

George Gershwin, Cuban Overture 

George Gershwin, Piano Concerto in F Major 

George Gershwin/Robert Russell Bennett, Porgy and Bess: A Concert of Songs

Enhance Your Concert Experience

Prelude Discussion
Enjoy a 30-minute talk with Steve Kurr starting one hour before each concert in Overture Hall. Free to ticket-holders.

Take Note: Drinks Allowed in Overture Hall
As of this season, drinks are allowed inside Overture Hall during all Madison Symphony Orchestra concerts. Refreshments may be purchased at bars and concession stands located around the Overture Hall lobby before each concert and during intermission. Please enjoy food in the lobby and unwrap any candy or cough drops before the performance begins. Thank you!

Gershwin’s beloved opera combines jazz, Broadway, and classical as we present highlights from this moving and heartfelt love story — Porgy and Bess.  – John DeMain

Philippe Bianconi was amazing in his tone, speed, endurance, and timing with the orchestra!  – MSO Patron

Ms. Johnson’s voice never forces its play, it sounds through its appearance a moment with all of its possibilities, always in company with the orchestra, never without.  – The Chautauquan Daily

Greene inhabits the relatively compact space to draw in the audience in the most interior moments, while also impressing with his rich, engulfing tone.  – The Stage

Meet the Artists

mso music director john demain

John DeMain, Conductor

View Biography

mso music director john demain

Madison Symphony Chorus
Beverly Taylor, Director

View Biography

mso music director john demain

Philippe Bianconi, Piano

View Biography

mso music director john demain

Eric Greene, Baritone

View Biography

mso music director john demain

Michelle Johnson, Soprano

View Biography

Major Sponsors

Madison Magazine

 

Fred A. Wileman

 

Diane Ballweg

Additional Sponsors

 

Carla and Fernando Alvarado

 

 

Mary Lang Sollinger

 

Ann Lindsey, in memory of Chuck Snowdon

 

 

Dr. Thomas and Leslie France

 

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

Details

Start:
05/09/2025
End:
05/11/2025
Event Category:

Venue

Overture Center for the Arts
201 State Street
Madison, WI 53703 United States
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