It was not enough for Andris Nelsons to cancel his traversal of the Verdi Requiem this weekend due to an unfortunate accident. Now the BSO has just announced more changes. Conductor/pianist Christoph Eschenbach (scheduled to perform on Friday, July 26 and Sunday, July 28) has an inner ear infection and currently cannot travel by plane; and bass Ferruccio Furlanetto has a bad cold and is not able to sing the bass-baritone role in this week’s performance of Verdi’s Requiem.
The following have agreed to step in:
Edo de Waart will replace Eschenbach at the podium on Friday, July 26. Garrick Ohlsson will replace Eschenbach as piano soloist, performing Mozart’s Piano Concerto No. 27 in B-flat, K.595 in place of the originally scheduled Piano Concerto No. 12 in A, K.414. The rest of the program remains unchanged.
Conductor Carlo Montanaro will substitute for Andris Nelsons in the performance of the Verdi Requiem on Saturday, July 27. Bass-baritone Eric Owens will replace Furlanetto.
On Sunday, July 28, Ludovic Morlot will conduct in the place of Eschenbach in the originally scheduled program featuring pianist Garrick Ohlsson.
Well, Lovey and I are thoroughly disappointed and we cancelled our appearance this weekend as well. We’re not buying it.
Comment by Thurston Howell III — July 23, 2013 at 7:49 pm
I live 8 hours away from Lenox. Saturday is the only day I have a ticket for the concert. The only reason I got a ticket and planned a whole day in western Mass, was that Feruccio Furlanetto was singing the bass part. He’s not singing at the MET this year and so this was the only time I would get to hear him for a whole year. I’m sorry he is sick. I’m glad he’s taking care of himself, BUT…I am so sorely disappointed. Eric Owens is wonderful, but….
I shall enjoy my day in western MASS in any case , but….
Comment by Leslie — July 24, 2013 at 12:37 am
I’m expecting to be called up any time now. Seriously, this is starting to get ridiculous.
However, I have to say that in bringing in a young conductor like Nelsons, you wouldn’t expect to end up in this sort of situation. Orchestras so dogmatically seek out prestige that too much is invested these days in a small and aging cadre of individuals. It’s no surprise when these elderly gentlemen’s health does not allow them to meet all of their engagements. Boston isn’t unique in this matter either – Chicago had some bad luck early on with Muti.
Regarding the substitutions – I wasn’t planning to attend any of these concerts, but having Morlot on the program is a bonus as far as I’m concerned. I haven’t seen him with the BSO, but I loved his work with Seattle back when he was auditioning for the job.
Comment by Mark — July 24, 2013 at 12:04 pm