FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
May 20, 2024
Madison Symphony Orchestra’s 2024–2025 Season
Symphony subscriptions now available for all concerts
Madison, Wis. – The 99th Madison Symphony Orchestra (MSO) Season presents ten spectacular programs that will thrill audience members, build anticipation, and lift us in an unforgettable way to our 100th anniversary. Subscriptions are on sale now for all eight subscription concerts, plus two special presentations of a brand-new series, MSO at the Movies. Season brochures will be mailed to renewing subscribers and recent concert attendees in early May.
Music Director John DeMain invites you to a truly exciting 99th orchestra season commemorating the 20th anniversary of both the Overture Center for the Arts and the MSO’s fabulous Overture Concert Organ. “Hearing music live is incomparable and a great way to spend a little time away from home. Be here with us for these incredible history-making years and let us transport you with great symphonic music.”
Executive Director Robert Reed shares his excitement for “the 99th Season of the Madison Symphony Orchestra. From Beethoven to Gershwin, three exciting guest conductors to four leading living composers, Romeo and Juliet to Star Wars, and Gil and Orli Shaham to the genre-bending Time for Three, the Madison Symphony Orchestra has something for everyone in the 2024-2025 season.”
Beginning September 2024, embrace the emotion, energy, and spirit of a joyous musical adventure. The exciting 99th season will feature dynamic soloists, returning favorites, and the debut of three guest conductors. New and renewing subscribers save up to 10-25% off single tickets for 5–8 concerts starting at $70-$470 for 5 concerts. Subscriptions are available online at madisonsymphony.org/99, in-person at the MSO office, 222 W. Washington Ave. Suite 460, or by phone (608) 257-3734. Single tickets for subscription concerts will be available starting Saturday, August 24, 2024.
New this season is the introduction of Digital Tickets. You can now securely receive your 24/25 symphony seasons tickets directly to your mobile device via your Overture Wallet. Easily view all your upcoming events in one place and ensure secure ticketing with dynamic QR codes. To access digital tickets, go to overture.org/wallet. Physical tickets will be mailed in August to subscribers who opt out of digital ticketing.
- “Reunion” (Sept. 20-22) brings us together again with the MSO premiere of Umoja, a work by African-American composer Valerie Coleman. Principal Organist Greg Zelek joins the MSO with Joseph Jongen’s Symphonie Concertante and is later joined by returning soloist Tommy Mesa to perform Tchaikovsky’s Variations on a Rococo Theme. The celebration wraps up with a suite from Manuel de Falla’s, The Three-Cornered Hat.
- “Visions” (Oct. 18-20) welcomes guest conductor Nicholas Hersh for the MSO premiere of This Midnight Hour by British Composer Anna Clyne. Violinist Kelly Hall-Tompkins returns to perform two works, The Lark Ascending by Ralph Vaughan Williams and Tzigane by Maurice Ravel. The program finishes with the monumental Symphonie fantastique by Hector Berlioz, a passionate and musical vision.
- “Momentum” (Nov. 15-17) marks guest conductor Michael Stern’s debut as he leads the MSO premiere of Jonathan Leshnoff’s Rush for Orchestra. Orchestra and audience favorite Garrick Ohlsson makes his eighth appearance with the MSO, performing Edvard Grieg’s Piano Concerto. The concert closes with Dmitri Shostakovich’s powerful Symphony No. 5.
- “MSO at the Movies: Coco in Concert” (Nov. 23) kicks off the MSO at the Movies series (conducted by Kyle Knox), featuring a screening of the complete film with Oscar® and Grammy®-winning composer Michael Giacchino’s musical score performed live. Disney and Pixar’s Coco in Concert also features the Oscar®-winning song “Remember Me” by Oscar-winning songwriters Kristen Anderson-Lopez and Robert Lopez, and additional songs co-written by Germaine Franco and co-director and screenwriter Adrian Molina.
- “A Madison Symphony Christmas” (Dec. 6-8) is a beloved musical holiday tradition in Madison. This year includes everything you’ve come to expect: uplifting choral performances by the Madison Symphony Chorus, Madison Youth Choirs, and a rousing Gospel climax led by John DeMain and the Mt. Zion Gospel Choir. Two dynamic vocal soloists, Madison-based soprano Vanessa Becerra and baritone Craig Irvin will join us to celebrate the holiday season.
- “Beethoven x3” (Jan. 17-19) showcases three of Beethoven’s masterworks. We begin with the dramatic Leonore Overture No. 3, followed by an exquisite trio of soloists, including violinist Gil Shaham, pianist Orli Shaham, and cellist Sterling Elliott playing Beethoven’s elusive Triple Concerto. The evening ends with his Symphony No. 2.
- “MSO at the Movies: Star Wars: A New Hope” (Feb. 22-23) is the second MSO at the Movies performance (conducted by Kyle Knox), featuring the complete film with legendary composer John Williams’ iconic Oscar®-winning score performed live. Fans will experience the scope and grandeur of this beloved film in a symphonic concert experience.
- “Legacy” (Mar. 14-16) explores the lasting impact of two iconic composers, Richard Strauss and Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, through their final works. After opening with one of Strauss’ great tone poems Don Juan, soprano Amanda Majeski takes the stage with the orchestra for what Strauss himself called his Four Last Songs. Majeski, mezzo-soprano Kirsten Lippart, tenor Joshua Sanders, bass Matt Boehler, and the Madison Symphony Chorus come together for Mozart’s Requiem to conclude the performance.
- “Yearnings” (Apr. 11-13) features the final guest conductor of the season, Joseph Young. We begin with Samuel Barber’s concise and dramatic Second Essay for Orchestra. Next, the eclectic and genre-bending string trio Time for Three joins our Symphony performing Kevin Puts’ Contact, a Grammy-winning piece written specifically for the group and an MSO premiere. Maestro Young’s selection of movements from one of the greatest ballet scores of the 20th century, Prokofiev’s Romeo and Juliet, will leave us longing for more.
- “Gershwin!” (May 9-11) closes out our 99th season with Gershwin’s Cuban Overture. 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. We invite Michelle Johnson, Eric Greene, and our Madison Symphony Chorus together to share his passion for this iconic season finale!
About the Madison Symphony Orchestra
The Madison Symphony Orchestra celebrates its 99th season in 2024–2025. The MSO has grown to be one of America’s leading regional orchestras, providing Madison and south-central Wisconsin with cultural and educational opportunities to interact with great masterworks and top-tier guest artists from around the world. The 2024–2025 season commemorates the 20th anniversary of the opening of Overture Center for the Arts and the 20th anniversary of the MSO’s Overture Concert Organ. The MSO’s 100th anniversary season celebration will take place during the 2025–2026 season. Learn more at madisonsymphony.org.
2024-2025 Symphony Season sponsors include WMTV 15, the Madison Symphony Orchestra League, The Madison Concourse Hotel and Governor’s Club, American Printing, Madison Media Partners, Madison Magazine, Wisconsin Public Radio, PBS Wisconsin, and the Wisconsin Arts Board with funds from the State of Wisconsin and the National Endowment for the Arts.
CONTACT:
Peter Rodgers, Director of Marketing
Phone: (608) 260-8680 x226
Mobile: (415) 713-0235
Email: prodgers@madisonsymphony.org
Press photos available at: https://bit.ly/mso99photos