“Cincinnati Pops conductor John Morris Russell will be staying on with the Pops through the 2020-21 season,” writes Janelle Gelfand in Sunday’s (4/23) Cincinnati Enquirer (Ohio). “The orchestra announced its agreement to extend Russell’s contract today. It is an addition to a previous five-year contract extension. Russell took over the Cincinnati Pops in September 2011, succeeding the late Pops founder Erich Kunzel…. The announcement comes after Russell and the Pops returned from an international tour in March, in which the Pops performed in China and Taiwan for enthusiastic crowds. Besides the last appearance during the 2008 Beijing Olympics, the Pops’ most recent multi-city tour to Asia took place in 2005…. During Russell’s tenure, the Pops has had double digit increases in attendance, and 23 sold-out performances. Russell’s four commercial recordings include the Pops’ first-ever live recording … The ‘American Soundscapes’ online video series has earned more than 375,000 views since its launch last year.… After Music Hall reopens in the fall following a $140 million renovation, Russell and the Pops will record ‘American Originals,’ Vol. 2…. Russell also leads the Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra’s Classical Roots concerts celebrating the African-American musical experience, this year on May 5 at Crossroads Community Church.”
Posted April 24, 2017
