Music Director Federico Cortese conducts a Boston Youth Symphony Orchestra rehearsal before a November 13 performance of Peter and the Wolf at Symphony Hall. Photo: Josh Reynolds/Boston Globe
“At a recent rehearsal … the [Boston Youth Symphony]—the top ensemble under the Boston Youth Symphony Orchestra umbrella—prepared to carry on a beloved annual BYSO tradition with a Symphony Hall performance of Prokofiev’s … ‘Peter and the Wolf,’ ” writes A.Z. Madonna in Thursday’s (11/11) Boston Globe. “The orchestra’s streak of annual performances since 2009 was only interrupted last year during the pandemic, when players instead recorded a virtual edition…. As the orchestra prepared to reconvene in person after over a year apart, music director [Federico] Cortese wasn’t sure what to expect… ‘The first concert, from a musical standpoint, was much, much better than a lot of first concerts I’ve had in normal years. It exceeded my expectations.’ … For the students who returned to the Boston Youth Symphony this fall and their newcomer colleagues, everything seems to be getting back on track. [Trombonist Sophie] Richardson and [double bassist Noanddi] Manigat both agreed: Life feels better and more balanced when they have rehearsal in person every Sunday and can see their friends. ‘It just kind of keeps me sane,’ said Richardson. ‘Knowing … that I can go to rehearsal and I can just play.’ ”
