The San Francisco Symphony and dancers from Alonzo King LINES Ballet at the orchestra’s “Re-Opening Night” concert at Davies Symphony Hall, led by Music Director Esa-Pekka Salonen, October 1, 2021. Photo by Christopher M. Howard.
On October 1, Esa-Pekka Salonen led the San Francisco Symphony in its first opening-night concert since he became music director last season. Dubbed “Re-Opening Night,” the event at Davies Symphony Hall featured Collaborative Partner Esperanza Spalding and the San Francisco-based contemporary dance company Alonzo King LINES Ballet. The program included John Adams’s Slonimsky’s Earbox; Alberto Ginastera’s Estancia Suite featuring choreography by Alonzo King and dancers from LINES Ballet; and Silvestre Revueltas’s “Noche de encantamiento” from his film score La noche de los Mayas. The concert culminated with singer and bassist Esperanza Spalding performing Wayne Shorter’s Pegasus and excerpts from Gaia with the orchestra. What would opening night be without a party—or parties, in this case? The celebrations, held outdoors due to the pandemic, included a pre-concert welcome on Davies’ outdoor terrace and an after-party on Grove Street. Proof of vaccination against COVID-19 was required in Davies Symphony Hall, and patrons wore face masks during performances. For those who couldn’t attend in person, in November the concert was broadcast on PBS’s Great Performances and streamed on PBS.
