“The Seattle Symphony is preparing for a 2016-17 season that will include the return of the popular Sonic Evolution and [untitled] series, premieres of new works and the maestro’s first opera in Benaroya Hall,” writes Melissa Davis in Wednesday’s (2/17) Seattle Times. Among the highlights: “two Sonic Evolution concerts saluting, and inspired by, local musical icons. The fall Sonic Evolution will … feature the world premiere of Kenji Bunch’s Afrobeat-influenced ‘Megalopolis.’ The spring concert will feature Seattle R&B/hip-hop duo THEESatisfaction, which will perform a world premiere by composer Judd Greenstein. New SSO-commissioned works by Agata Zubel … Gabriel Prokofiev … and Aaron Jay Kernis [will be premiered]. Patrons will also hear a premiere of a piece by Scottish composer Helen Grime. Ludovic Morlot, in his sixth season with the Seattle Syphony, will conduct his first opera in Benaroya Hall, Ravel’s ‘L’enfant et les sortilèges’ …, and will continue the orchestra’s two-year Beethoven cycle. … The late-night lobby-set [untitled] series [will include] selections from Heath Allen and Dan Visconti’s Andy Warhol-themed opera/cabaret ‘Andy: A Popera.’ ” Also planned are performances of Mahler’s Fifth Symphony, Ligeti’s Requiem, Nielsen’s Symphony No. 3. The season-opening gala on September 17 will feature mezzo-soprano Joyce DiDonato.
Posted February 18, 2016
Ludovic Morlot photo by Ben Van Houten
