California’s Philharmonia Baroque Orchestra and Chorale has cancelled all concerts and events through April 2021, in the wake of continued concert hall closures due to the pandemic. In 2021, PBO will expand its online membership-based portal 2020/VIRTUAL, launched in April, with offerings to include an “Un-Gala” in February to replace the gala celebrating Richard Egarr’s debut season as music director. In the past three months, the organization has produced more than 50 virtual events through the portal. From his home in Amsterdam, Egarr has been active on the online portal via “What’s New and H.I.P with Tarik and Rick” conversations with composer and Philharmonia Artistic Partner Tarik O’Regan. The portal’s “PBO Sessions @ Home” interactive concert series features Egarr from his kitchen in Amsterdam. A separate series, “Jews and Music (JAMOnline),” is led by Scholar-in-Residence Francesco Spagnolo, with guests including composer Matthew Aucoin and mandolinist Avi Avital. In addition to producing new material, PBO has opened its archives to patrons, with weekly releases of recordings from the organization’s 40-year history. Detailed programming for the winter and spring of 2021 will be announced later. PBO is exploring opportunities for small live performances when possible.
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