FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
May 1, 2025
MSO Announces May Season Finale Concerts, “Gershwin!”
May 9-11, 2025 in Overture Hall
Madison, Wis. – The Madison Symphony Orchestra (MSO) closes their exhilarating 99th season with a performance of “Gershwin!”, led by Music Director John DeMain. The 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. 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!
“Gershwin!” performances will take place on Friday, May 9 at 7:30 p.m., Saturday, May 10 at 7:30 p.m. and Sunday, May 11 at 2:30 p.m. in Overture Hall, 201 State Street.
Concert, Ticket and Event Details
The lobby opens 90 minutes prior to each concert. The Symphony recommends concert attendees arrive early for each performance to make sure they have time to pass through Overture Center’s security stations.
Single tickets begin at $15 and are on sale now through the Overture Center Box office. Tickets can be purchased online at overture.org, in-person or by phone by calling (608) 258-4141 during Box Office hours. Note that fees apply to online and phone orders. No fees for in-person purchase at the Overture Box Office, 201 State Street. More information can be found at https://madisonsymphony.org/event/gershwin/
Health & Safety Precautions
Masks are optional but encouraged in the lobby, during all performances, and at the post-concert receptions. Proof of vaccination is no longer required to enter Overture Center. More information about the many safety protocols can be found at overture.org/health, and madisonsymphony.org/health.
Money Back Guarantee
The MSO will continue to offer a refund for tickets to any concert that cannot be performed for any reason. The MSO will adhere to all public health guidelines and cooperate with Overture Center for the Arts for the safety of its audiences, musicians and staff. Programs, dates, and artists subject to change.
About Philippe Bianconi
It is from Italy that he takes his name and the passion concealed within him, which gives him his vibrancy when he is on stage. The passion that overwhelms his audience. Italy sings in him with the colours of its language, so familiar to him, of its Mediterranean exuberance in which his childhood was bathed. But it was in Nice that Philippe Bianconi was born and raised, and it was France that molded him. Which is why artist and man alike are a blend of poise and ardor, discretion and inner flame, clothed in an elegance and a luminosity that may be read in his presence, in his eyes, and can be savored when he is at the piano. In concert, the vibration of the air when silence fills the hall is precious to him, liberating and inspiring.
About Michelle Johnson
Michelle Johnson, a soprano of extraordinary talent and acclaim, has captivated audiences worldwide with her mesmerizing performances. As a Grand Prize Winner of the Metropolitan Opera National Council Auditions, she has been hailed by critics as “a clear audience favorite,” lauded for her impeccable breath control and velvety voice that effortlessly transports listeners into a realm of musical splendor. A distinguished alumna of the Academy of Vocal Arts in Philadelphia, Boston University Opera Institute, and New England Conservatory, Johnson’s talent has been recognized with prestigious awards from organizations such as the William Matheus Sullivan Foundation, Gerda Lissner Foundation, and the Giulio Gari Foundation.
About Eric Greene
Grammy award-winning American baritone Eric Greene’s current and future engagements include BENNY “KID” PARET in Terence Blanchard’s Champion Metropolitan Opera, ESCAMILLO Carmen Liceu Barcelona, return to London as NICHOLAS LOFTE in Itch, a new opera by Jonathan Dove, as well as join the Royal Opera House, Covent Garden for Rigoletto on tour to Japan. Additionally, Eric Greene made debuts around the world with noted companies such as Opéra Comique, the Granada International Festival, Grand Théâtre Luxembourg, Teatro Nacional de São Carlos Lisbon, Lyric Opera of Chicago, San Francisco Opera, Opera Company of Philadelphia, Washington National Opera, Santa Fe Symphony, and the Los Angeles Opera as JAKE Porgy and Bess.
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.
Major funding for “Gershwin!” is provided by Madison Magazine, Diane Ballweg, Boardman Clark, and Fred A. Wileman. Additional funding is provided by Carla and Fernando Alvarado, Ann Lindsey, in memory of Chuck Snowdon, Mary Lang Sollinger, 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
Web: madisonsymphony.org