In Friday’s (2/12) San Jose Mercury News (California), Cheryl North writes, “The Philharmonia Baroque Orchestra, one of the country’s leading period-instrument ensembles, seems immune to the economic downturn. While many performing groups are paring down upcoming seasons, this orchestra is expanding its programming for 2010-11. Philharmonia will perform eight programs, instead of its usual seven, and add two new locations … to its venues, which also include Herbst Theatre in San Francisco and First Congregational Church in Berkeley. … The 2010-11 season-opener will be an all-Mozart program Sept. 24-29 featuring the seldom performed incidental music for the play ‘Thamos, King of Egypt,’ and the U.S. premiere of fragments of newly discovered Mozart works for fortepiano and orchestra, with Robert Levin at the keyboard. Mozart’s Symphony No. 41, the ‘Jupiter,’ will close the concert. … Another high point will occur March 4-9, 2011, showcasing the song cycle ‘Into the Bright Lights’ by San Francisco composer Nathaniel Stookey, set to poetry by [soprano Frederica] von Stade. She will premiere the songs in what she is calling her farewell season and will sing selections by Christoph Gluck as well.”
Posted February 12, 2010
