FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
August 26, 2024
Madison Symphony Orchestra’s 99th Season Begins With “Reunion” Featuring Principal Organist Greg Zelek and Cellist Tommy Mesa
September 22-24, 2024 in Overture Hall
Madison, Wis. – The Madison Symphony Orchestra (MSO) opens their 99th season with a celebration of Umoja, the Swahili word for “unity” and the first principle of the African holiday Kwanzaa. A beautiful way to bring audience and orchestra back together again, the concert begins with a work of the same name by African American composer Valerie Coleman. Music Director John DeMain calls Coleman’s Umoja “a powerful and beautiful anthem for the world as it is today.” The program also features Principal Organist Greg Zelek playing one of the greatest works for organ and orchestra ever written, Joseph Jongen’s Symphonie Concertante. Audience favorite Tommy Mesa returns to perform Tchaikovsky’s Variations on a Rococo Theme. This first performance of an exciting new 2024–2025 season concludes with a suite from Manuel de Falla’s colorful, Spanish-flavored ballet, The Three-Cornered Hat.
“This season is truly spectacular and will lift us in an unforgettable way to our 100th anniversary,” acclaims John DeMain. “Be here with us for these incredible, history-making years and let us transport you with great symphonic music.”
“Reunion” performances will take place on Friday, September 20 at 7:30 p.m., Saturday, September 21 at 7:30 p.m. and Sunday, September 22 at 2:30 p.m. in Overture Hall, 201 State Street. Attendees should note that Saturday performances this season will begin at 7:30 p.m., a change from the previous 8:00 p.m. concert time.
Symphony 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. All ticket holders are welcome to attend a free half-hour pre-concert talk one hour before each performance by Michael Allsen in Overture Hall.
Single tickets 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. $15 student rush tickets may be purchased beginning the Friday of the concert weekend through the performance time on each day at the Overture Box Office. Note that fees apply to online and phone orders. No fees for in-person purchase at the Overture Box Office, 201 State Street.
Three performances of the “Reunion” concerts will take place September, 20, 21 and 22. Single ticket prices range from $15 to $104. More information is found at https://madisonsymphony.org/reunion
Subscriptions to 5–8 concerts are available for 10-25% off single ticket prices for the 2024–2025 season. Learn more about subscriptions at https://madisonsymphony.org/99
Drinks are now allowed in Overture Hall
Drinks are now allowed inside Overture Hall during all Madison Symphony Orchestra concerts and Overture Concert Organ performances. 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.
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 https://overture.org/health, and https://madisonsymphony.org/health
About Tommy Mesa
Cuban-American cellist Tommy Mesa has established himself as one of the most charismatic, innovative, and engaging performers of his generation. The recipient of the Sphinx Organization’s 2023 Medal of Excellence, its highest honor, Mesa has appeared as soloist at the Supreme Court of the United States on four occasions and with major orchestras including the Los Angeles Philharmonic at the Hollywood Bowl, The Cleveland Orchestra, The Philadelphia Orchestra, and the symphony orchestras of Indianapolis, Madison, New Jersey, San Antonio, and Santa Barbara, among others. Mesa gave the world premiere and subsequent tour of Jessie Montgomery’s cello concerto in the 2022-23 season, with performances at major halls across the United States and Brazil including Miami’s New World Center and Carnegie Hall. His orchestral recording debut of the work was released in July 2023 on Deutsche Grammophon.
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
The presenting sponsor for “Reunion” is the Pleasant T. Rowland Foundation. Major funding is provided by Capitol Lakes, Elaine and Nicholas Mischler, Diane Ballweg, and the John and Twila Sheskey Charitable Fund, in memory of Jennie Biel Sheskey. Additional funding is provided by Reynold V. Peterson, Fredrick and Karen Schrank, 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
Link to 24-25 Symphony Season photos: https://bit.ly/mso24-25symphonyphotos