“This week’s unveiling of the 2018-19 Utah Symphony | Utah Opera schedules emphasize the organization’s dedication to expanding and engaging its base of patrons,” writes Eric Walden in last Thursday’s (2/8) Salt Lake Tribune. ” ‘We’re being more strategic, if you like, and thoughtful about how we can draw in next-generation audiences,’ … said Paul Meecham, the president and CEO of USUO.” The orchestra’s season will include “a semi-staged performance of Leonard Bernstein’s ‘Candide’ … Bach’s Brandenburg Concertos, and a tribute to the late 20th-century French composer Pierre Boulez [and] a celebration of the 150th anniversary of the Golden Spike-the joining of the transcontinental railroad-with commissioned work from … Zhou Tian…. Six of the 18 scheduled Saturday evening performances … will move from a 7:30 p.m. start time to 5:30…. Monday and Wednesday opera performances will move from 7:30 to 7, with the intent, [Meecham said], ‘to make them a little bit more family-friendly….’ He was particularly excited about the potential of UNWOUND, which will feature shorter, intermission-free performances, and food trucks out on the plaza beforehand.” Thierry Fischer is the orchestra’s music director. In 2018-19, Andrew Norman will serve as composer-in-association and violinist Philippe Quint will be artist-in-association.
Posted February 15, 2018
