“The Metropolitan Symphony Orchestra is an amateur orchestra with a stellar reputation and an adventuresome spirit,” writes Pamela Espeland in Friday’s (8/16) MinnPost (Minneapolis). “Begun by alums of St. Olaf College who missed playing music in … a really good large ensemble, the Metropolitan Symphony Orchestra is now in its 38th year. They perform in … the Twin Cities, and all of their concerts are free…. Over the years, it has taken on several works by the late Dominick Argento, including the world premiere of his ‘Ode to the West Wind.’ … Their 2019-20 season, announced Thursday, includes a work by Argento. Each concert will feature a piece by a living composer. There will be four premieres (two are MSO commissions) and three works by women (two are premieres). All concerts will be led by William Schrickel, the MSO’s music director since 2000.” World premieres will include The Twelve Dancing Princesses, commissioned from Victor Zupanc and Kevin Kling and narrated by Kling; the large-orchestra versions of John Orfe’s Oyster and Polina Nazaykinskaya’s Fenix, and Will’s Ladies, a set of soliloquies by Shakespeare’s female characters, set to music by Carol Barnett, with soliloquist Christina Baldwin and mezzo-soprano Clara Osowski.
Posted August 21, 2019
