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Britten, Saint-Saëns,
& Brahms
Dazzling Violin & Spring

Venue: Overture Hall
Friday, April 14, 2023
7:30 p.m.
Saturday, April 15, 2023
8:00 p.m.
Sunday, April 16, 2023
2:30 p.m.
Buy Tickets
Single tickets $20-$98
on sale NOW through the Overture Center Box Office, 201 State Street
Canadian virtuoso Blake Pouliot, who dazzled our audience with the Mendelssohn violin concerto, turns his musical acumen to Saint-Saëns’ third violin concerto. Britten’s mesmerizing sea interludes from his operatic masterpiece Peter Grimes opens the program, and another personal favorite of mine, and I hope yours, the second symphony of Brahms, will help usher in the spring. – John DeMain, Music Director
Program
Run Time: 2 hours, plus 20 minute intermission
Benjamin Britten, Four Sea Interludes
Camille Saint-Saëns, Violin Concerto No. 3 in B minor
Intermission
Johannes Brahms, Symphony No. 2 in D major
Program Notes will be available soon.
Enhance Your Concert Experience
Out at the Symphony
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.
Learn more and purchase tickets for $50.
Free Open Rehearsal
Join the MSO and Blake Pouliot for their final rehearsal together 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.
Prelude Discussion
Enjoy a 30-minute talk with Randal Swiggum starting one hour before each concert in Overture Hall. Free to ticketholders.
This performance by the violinist [Blake Pouliot] was one of the best I’ve ever seen here. He was terrific.
[ Blake Pouliot ] was incredible… so young and so very talented… a joy to watch and listen to the amazing sounds coming from his instrument.
Meet the Performers

John DeMain, Conducting

Blake Pouliot, Violin
Thank You To Our Generous Sponsors!
Major funding provided by
Fred Wileman
Additional funding provided by
The Burish Group at UBS
Rodney Schreiner and Mark Blank
Sponsor Spotlight Message
Just like the symphony orchestra, when it comes to senior living, Capitol Lakes hits all the right notes! Capitol Lakes is proud to support the Madison Symphony Orchestra and the downtown arts community.
– Capitol Lakes, a resident-centered, not-for-profit retirement community in Madison
Take note. We guarantee a refund for tickets to any concert that cannot be performed for any reason. We will adhere to all public health guidelines and cooperate with Overture Center for the Arts for your safety. Programs, dates, and artists subject to change.
We’re excited to welcome you back to Overture Hall this fall for live in-person performances! We understand you may have questions about safety protocols. Visit our FAQ page for the latest info.
Described as “immaculate, at once refined and impassioned,” (ArtsAtlanta) violinist Blake Pouliot (pool-YACHT) has anchored himself among the ranks of classical phenoms. A tenacious young artist with a passion that enraptures his audience in every performance, Pouliot has established himself as “one of those special talents that comes along once in a lifetime” (Toronto Star).
Pouliot embarks on a fulfilling 2021/22 season that includes debuts with the Boise Philharmonic, Omaha Symphony, Plano Symphony, Sarasota Orchestra and Winnipeg Symphony; return engagements with the symphony orchestras of Vancouver, Naples, Nova Scotia, and Tallahassee; recitals in Sarasota, Miami and his Philadelphia debut; and touring the works of Beethoven as returning Artist-in-Residence with NPR’s Performance Today throughout Europe.