The 2020 Boston Pops spring season, which was to take place May 16–June 13, has been canceled due to ongoing concerns over the spread of COVID-19. The 2020 Boston Pops season was designed as a celebration of Keith Lockhart’s 25th anniversary season; this special recognition of Mr. Lockhart’s enormous contribution to the Pops as its leader since 1995 will now take place during the 2021 Boston Pops spring season.

A near-unprecedented moment in the 135-year history of the Boston Pops, the cancellation of the upcoming season is the first time an entire season of the famed ensemble has been canceled since 1890; that year there were no Boston Pops concerts due to the fact that the managers at the time were unable to procure a liquor license.

Updates on the 2020 Boston Pops Fireworks Spectacular and 2020 Tanglewood Season
The Boston Symphony Orchestra is in daily conversations to assess the advisability of proceeding with all its upcoming programming over the next few months, including the 2020 Boston Pops Fireworks Spectacular and the 2020 Tanglewood season,

The Boston Symphony Orchestra will present a special video stream of Concert for Our City: Now Streaming For All, a 70-minute performance available to a worldwide audience via YouTube at www.bso.org/athome, for 45 days, beginning at 3 p.m., ET, on Sunday, April 5.

The Thomas Wilkins-led YouTube stream, Concert for Our City, features a wide-ranging program including works by Tchaikovsky, Ginastera, and Brahms. Conceived by Mr. Wilkins with a theme of “Beautiful Sounds of Friendship,” the program also includes Chinese-American composer Huang Ruo’s Folksongs for Orchestra, George Walker’s Lyric for String Orchestra, and the finale of Dvořák’s Cello Concerto with cellist Sterling Elliott, the 2014 winner of the Sphinx Competition. Click here for a complete program listing.

Friday April 3, 7pm
INTERNET via Groupmuse

•Time, Hope & Rebirth•
Aaron Larget-Caplan, guitar solo

PROGRAM
Bach: 2 Preludes
Agustin Barrios: Una Limosna por el Amor De Dios
Pascual Marquina: España Cañi (paso doble)
Stephanie Ann Boyd: Esperanza  – Web Premiere!
John Cage: In a Landscape
Keigo Fujii: Legend of Hagoromo

Streaming HERE

BOSTON – March 23, 2020 – Boston Lyric Opera’s (BLO) General and Artistic Director Esther Nelson and 99.5 WCRB Classical Radio Boston Manager Anthony Rudel announced today that a special audio recording of BLO’s final dress rehearsal of Vincenzo Bellini’s NORMA will be streamed on www.classicalwcrb.org and www.blo.org starting Sunday, March 29 at 3 PM. Performances of the new production were shuttered before its March 13 opening, due to the coronavirus pandemic.

For this performance, BLO’s Orchestra (Concert Master Annie Rabbat) and Chorus (Chorus Master Brett Hodgdon) are conducted by Music Director David Angus. NORMA’s high-profile cast includes: internationally acclaimed soprano Elena Stikhina in her title-role debut; tenor Jonathan Burton as Pollione; bass-baritone Alfred Walker as Oroveso; Dedham, MA-based mezzo-soprano Sandra Piques Eddy as Adalgisa; BLO Emerging Artist Robyn Marie Lamp as Clotilde; and Emerging Artist alumnus Omar Najmi as Flavio. The recording was made by WCRB’s Grammy Award-winning Lead Sound Engineer Antonio Oliart Ros at the production’s final dress rehearsal March 11. 

Wednesday, March 18, 2020

UPDATE ON BSO CANCELLATIONS:
BOSTON SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA TO EXTEND ITS PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE / EVENT CANCELLATIONS AT SYMPHONY HALL IN BOSTON AND THE LINDE CENTER AT TANGLEWOOD THROUGH SATURDAY, MAY 2, IN ACCORDANCE WITH RECENT RECOMMENDATIONS OVER THE SPREAD OF COVID-19;
BSO APRIL CONCERT CANCELLATIONS INCLUDE 4/14 & 15 PERFORMANCES AT NEW YORK’S CARNEGIE HALL

BSO TO OFFER ITS MUSIC COMMUNITY A WIDE VARIETY OF AUDIO AND VIDEO OPTIONS TO CONNECT WITH THE ORCHESTRA DURING PERFORMANCE / EVENT HIATUS

WCRB 99.5 FM to present “BSO Encores: Nightly@8”, Monday-Saturday, 8-10 p.m., starting Monday, March 23, at 8 p.m., spotlighting favorite
Boston Symphony Orchestra live-recorded broadcasts from the past five seasons, including performances under the direction of Andris Nelsons

BSO at Home: Ongoing Musical Offerings for the BSO Community: BSO-Created Content Available Through www.bso.org/athome and the
BSO YouTube and Social Media Channels, Starting Monday, March 23

• BSO at Home: Musicians: Self-produced videos from BSO musicians and conductors featuring anecdotes, personal reflections and insights, and short informal performances, as they stay at home during the coronavirus outbreak, to be released periodically through the BSO’s social media channels

  • BSO at Home: Listening: Six weeks of daily curated audio offerings available each weekday morning at 10 a.m. through www.bso.org/athome, starting on Monday, March 23

• Performances spotlighting the BSO’s legendary BSO Music Directors past and present (Andris Nelsons, Seiji Ozawa, Erich Leinsdorf, Charles Munch, Serge Koussevitzky), March 23-29
  • Memorable musical moments with beloved guest soloists of the 20th century (Van Cliburn, Isaac Stern, Rudolf Serkin, Leonard Bernstein, Doriot Anthony Dwyer), March 30-April 5
  • Masterworks of the Classical period (Haydn, Mozart, and Beethoven), April 6-12
  • BSO performances of musical landmarks of the 20th century (Copland, Shostakovich, Bartók),
  April 13-19
  • Performances highlighting the French tradition and the BSO (Debussy, Ravel, Berlioz, Bizet),
  April 20-26
  • A focus on the BSO and the Romantic Age (Tchaikovsky, Brahms, and Strauss), April 27-May 3
  • For a complete list of audio offerings, click here
• BSO at Home: Behind the Scenes: Video from previously released BSO productions, including “BSO360” and “Tanglewood Tales,” that take viewers on a behind the scenes adventure of the BSO’s activities in Boston and at Tanglewood, available through the BSO’s YouTube channel or through www.bso.org/athome

This special content will be available starting Monday, March 23, through www.bso.org/athome and YouTube; all media announcements will be linked on BSO social media channels with #BSOatHome—Facebook (Boston Symphony Orchestra), Twitter (@bostonsymphony), Instagram (@bostonsymphony)

BSO French Horn Player Rachel Childers with children, February 12, 2020 (Photo by Winslow Townson)

“BSO HOMESCHOOL” TO FEATURE VIDEO TUTORIALS WITH BSO MUSICIANS PROVIDING EDUCATIONAL OFFERINGS IN SUPPORT OF AT-HOME LEARNING; CONTENT TO BE SHARED ON A WEEKLY BASIS BEGINNING THE WEEK OF MARCH 23, WITH DETAILS AVAILABLE AT WWW.BSO.ORG

• Lesson plans and accompanying playlists from past BSO Youth and Family Concerts
  • Audition preparation and orchestra excerpt coaching
  • BSO musicians instrument demonstrations
  • A virtual Symphony Hall tour (available in April)

As the safety of the Boston Symphony Orchestra’s audience, musicians, visiting guest artists, staff, volunteers, and boards of trustees and advisors—as well as its relationships with all outside vendors and performing arts organizations—continues to be the orchestra’s top priority, the Boston Symphony Orchestra is extending its period of performance / event cancellations at Symphony Hall in Boston and at the Linde Center at Tanglewood through Saturday, May 2, following updated recommendations about the spread of the COVID-19 virus. The BSO had previously announced (March 12, 2020) cancellations through March 27; today’s announcement extends those cancellations through May 2, including performances to have taken place in New York’s Carnegie Hall on April 14 and 15.

Quote from Andris Nelsons, the Ray and Maria Stata BSO Music Director
“I sincerely wish everyone in our beloved BSO family the very best as we confront the many challenges posed by the coronavirus and affecting the worldwide community. Though I join my BSO colleagues in expressing my disappointment and sadness over having to cancel the rest of the 2019-20 season, I know that it is the right and necessary thing to do our part to keep everyone as safe as possible.

“I hope our audiences and the wider music community will stay in touch with the BSO through the many online, audio, and video offerings that will be accessible through bso.org, as well as additional BSO broadcasts on WCRB 99.5, our longtime media partner. Though there is nothing to compare to the live concert experience, these musical gifts can also be food for our souls during these difficult times.

“When I find myself missing my BSO family, including our amazing audience, I look toward the summer and the incredible beauty that awaits us when the Boston Symphony Orchestra and many wonderful guest artists bring us their extraordinary music-making, inspired further by the magnificent atmosphere of Tanglewood surrounded by the beautiful Berkshire hills.

“Until then, our thoughts are with everyone in Boston and the world over who is dealing with the many effects of the coronavirus, especially those who are sick and suffering and their caretakers. All of us at the BSO will continue to keep everyone in our hearts and prayers until we are back together experiencing the joy and inspiration that only our many musical offerings can bring.”

BSO at Home: Ongoing Musical Offerings for the BSO Community
The BSO will be launching a series of “at home” broadcast, audio, and video content to connect with its audiences and supporters during this period of Symphony Hall closure.

99.5 WCRB Classical Radio Boston will collaborate with the Boston Symphony Orchestra to broadcast additional orchestra concerts in this challenging time of performance cancellations and social distancing due to COVID-19. Beginning Monday, March 23, WCRB will present six concert broadcasts per week, Monday through Saturday, at 8 p.m. “BSO Encores: Nightly@8” will be drawn from a collection of over 200 Boston Symphony Orchestra live performance broadcasts from the last five years, with many under the direction of BSO Music Director Andris Nelsons. This unprecedented partnership between the BSO and WCRB—which may be the first time a radio station has collaborated with its hometown orchestra to play pre-recorded live concerts six nights a week—was made possible by a unanimous agreement with the musicians of the Boston Symphony Orchestra. “BSO Encores: Nightly@8” will replace the WCRB’s “Symphony at 8” for the duration of its run. The concerts will broadcast locally at 99.5 FM and for all at www.classicalwcrb.org.

This ongoing musical offering for the BSO community—to be linked on the orchestra’s social media channels with #BSOatHome—will also include BSO-created audio and video content that will focus on regular self-produced videos from musicians and conductors; six weeks of daily curated audio clips; and popular episodes from previously released BSO video productions. The BSO will also offer “BSO HomeSchool”—behind-the-scenes video tutorials with BSO musicians providing educational support for at-home learning; this content will be shared on a weekly basis beginning the week of March 23, with the details available at www.bso.org.

This special content will be available starting Monday, March 23, through www.bso.org/athome and YouTube; all media announcements will be linked on BSO social media channels with #BSOatHome—Facebook (Boston Symphony Orchestra), Twitter (@bostonsymphony), Instagram (@bostonsymphony).

This content is being made available with support from Bank of America, BSO Season Lead Sponsor, and Takeda Pharmaceutical Company LTD, BSO Season Supporting Sponsor.

Donations / Ticket Exchanges / Refunds During Period of Symphony Hall Closure
Due to the financial impact of concert cancellations on the Boston Symphony Orchestra, we ask patrons, whenever possible, to consider donating their tickets back to the orchestra and receiving a tax donation for the total ticket value paid. Otherwise, the BSO is also offering a credit towards a future subscription or performance. An additional option being offered is a refund for the value of the tickets purchased. For further information about ticket accommodations or to request further information about the concert cancellations, patrons can contact the BSO’s Customer Service Department at customerservice@bso.org or call 617-266-1200. Symphony Charge (617-266-1200), the BSO’s ticketing sales office, will remain open during this period of concert cancellations. The Symphony Hall and Tanglewood box offices are closed for walk-up sales at this time.

Additional Performances / Events Affected by Symphony Hall Closure
Beyond the BSO’s activities at Symphony Hall, all April public events, including those of the Handel and Haydn Society, the Boston Speaker Series, and Celebrity Series of Boston are canceled. Ticket holders for Handel and Haydn Society events (April 2 & 5 and May 1 & 3) should call 617-262-1815 for further information. Patrons of the Boston Speaker Series (April 22 & 27) are asked to hold on to their tickets and they will be honored at a future rescheduled date; questions can be addressed through comments@bostonspeakers.org. Ticket holders for Celebrity Series events (April 10 & 26) should email boxoffice@celebrityseries.org for further information. In addition, patrons who purchased tickets to the Stockbridge Library Association’s performance on April 25, which is being postponed until fall 2020 (exact details to be announced at a later date through the association), can contact the BSO’s Customer Service Department at customerservice@bso.org or call 617-266-1200.

Further Details of Symphony Hall Closure Due to COVID-19
The BSO’s decision to extend its performance/event cancellations has been informed by the most recent recommendations from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), World Health Organization (WHO), City of Boston, and the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, official news reports, and ongoing concern about what the organization can do to best ensure the well-being of everyone in the BSO community. During this period of closure, the BSO will be in regular communication with updates about Symphony Hall’s performance and event schedule, as it continues to be unclear at the present time when the Hall will reopen and return to its normal operations.

The BSO’s internal constituencies, including staff and musicians, have been made aware of the important facts about COVID-19 and have been asked to abide by the latest public health guidance and hygienic recommendations, outlined at www.cdc.gov, including avoiding close contact with people who are sick and avoiding touching their eyes, nose, and mouth; staying home when they are sick and always covering their cough or sneeze to prevent the spread of germs; and washing their hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds. Per the CDC’s guidelines for employers, the BSO has ordered additional hand sanitizers for its offices and workspaces. The BSO’s Human Resources Department is working closely with the BSO staff and musicians to address the wide variety of challenges that might arise around the spread of the virus. At present, in accordance with recommendations from the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, all non-essential BSO employees are being strongly encouraged to work from home.

BLO cancels run of Norma

BOSTON SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA IS CANCELING ALL PERFORMANCES AT SYMPHONY HALL IN BOSTON AND THE LINDE CENTER AT TANGLEWOOD FRIDAY, MARCH 13 THROUGH SATURDAY, MARCH 28, DUE TO EVER-INCREASING CONCERNS OVER THE SPREAD OF THE COVID-19 VIRUS

As the safety of the Boston Symphony Orchestra’s audience, musicians, visiting guest artists, staff, volunteers, and board leadership—as well as its relationships with all outside vendors and performing arts organizations—is the orchestra’s top priority, the Boston Symphony Orchestra is canceling all performances at Symphony Hall in Boston and at the Linde Center at Tanglewood from Friday, March 13 through Saturday, March 28 due to concerns over the spread of the COVID-19 virus.

During this period of closure, the BSO will be in regular communication with updates about Symphony Hall’s performance and event schedule, as it is unclear at the present time when the Hall will reopen and return to its normal operations.

The BSO’s decision to cancel performances has been influenced by recommendations in general from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), World Health Organization (WHO), City of Boston, or the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, ongoing official news reports, and an abundance of concern for what the organization can do to best ensure the well-being of everyone in the BSO community.

The BSO is exploring the possibility of periodically sharing performance video—including archival video releases—with all its patrons during this period of time when Symphony Hall will be closed.

“The Boston Symphony Orchestra’s decision to cancel all Symphony Hall and Linde Center performances over the next two weeks had to be made out of our utmost concern for the safety and well-being of the BSO community at large,” said Mark Volpe, BSO President and CEO.

“We encourage everyone in our music community and beyond to follow all health recommendations of the CDC, WHO, the City of Boston, and the Commonwealth of Massachusetts concerning COVID-19, and to take great care of themselves to stay healthy and avoid contact with the virus.

“This is no doubt a difficult time for the citizens of Boston, the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, the country, and the world at large. We all look forward to the not-so-distant future when we return to concertgoing as one of the many things we so cherish about our lives beyond this health challenge.”

The BSO’s internal constituencies, including staff and musicians, have been made aware of the important facts about COVID-19 and have been asked to abide by the latest public health guidance and hygienic recommendations, outlined at www.cdc.gov, including avoiding close contact with people who are sick and avoiding touching their eyes, nose, and mouth; staying home when they are sick and always covering their cough or sneeze to prevent the spread of germs; and washing their hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds. Per the CDC’s guidelines for employers, the BSO has ordered additional hand sanitizers for its offices and workspaces. The BSO’s Human Resources Department is working closely with the BSO staff and musicians to address the wide variety of challenges that might arise around the spread of the virus.

Due to the financial impact of concert cancellations on the Boston Symphony Orchestra, we ask patrons, whenever possible, to consider ticket exchanges (by way of gift certificates or future performances) or a donation in the amount of the ticket purchased (and receive a tax deduction for the total ticket value). Otherwise, the BSO will provide a refund for the value of the ticket purchased. For further information about ticket accommodations or to request further information about the concert cancellations, patrons can contact the BSO’s Customer Service Department at customerservice@bso.org or call 617-266-1200. The Symphony Hall and Tanglewood box offices, as well as Symphony Charge (617-266-1200), will remain open during this period of concert cancellations.

Working toward a safe, healthy experience at Norma

Boston Lyric Opera has been monitoring developments around the coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak, and in communication with the Theatres of Emerson College, we are following guidance from national and local public health agencies, including the Boston Public Health Commission and the Massachusetts Department of Public Health. Like many of our performing arts colleagues around the city, we have been working to ensure our upcoming productions take place in as safe an environment as possible.

Currently, all Norma performances will continue as scheduled. We will update via email any changes in response to evolving conditions.

We take the safety and well-being of our patrons seriously, and we’re working with the Theatres of Emerson College to ensure the best possible precautions during the run of Norma, including increased frequency of disinfecting areas that are commonly touched, as recommended.

if you aren’t feeling well, or if people around you have been sick for any reason, please avoid coming to the opera, or any other public gathering, until you are feeling better, and are cleared by your physician.

If you are unable to attend due to illness, quarantine, or self-isolation, we will gladly refund your tickets with notification up to 12 hours in advance of your performance. You may also donate the price of your ticket back to BLO. Additionally, we will extend free ticket exchanges, always a benefit to our subscribers, to all ticket holders for the remainder of this season. We choose compassion, and we will work with you to find the best possible solution. Please contact Audience Services with any questions and for updates.

Last updated 1:50 PM 03.11.2020