“It’s a season like none other,” writes David Stabler in Friday’s (2/5) Oregonian (Portland). In September, the Oregon Symphony will launch its 120th season with a gala featuring Renee Fleming and the orchestra conducted by Music Director Carlos Kalmar. “The subscription season officially opens Sept. 24 with… a semi-staged version of Bela Bartok’s searing opera, ‘Bluebeard’s Castle,’ … [which] will include 14-foot tall glass sculptures by [Dale] Chihuly, the renowned Seattle artist. ‘Bluebeard is one of three programs in a new series called ‘SoundSights.’ Each program will incorporate visual art by a noted Northwest artist … [echoing] the orchestra’s previous multimedia series [called ‘Nerve Endings’] that … succeeded in drawing new audiences to video, theater, dance, improvisation and beyond-classical music.… Last season, the orchestra broke records in ticket sales and donations.… The positive news means an increase of eight classical concerts next season, raising the total from 40 to 48.” Highlights from the 2016-17 season include Beethoven’s Symphony No. 6, Elgar’s Enigma Variations, Mahler’s Symphony No. 2 (“Resurrection”), and a new work by Portland composer Kenji Bunch. Commenting on the upcoming series, Oregon Symphony President Scott Showalter said, “Don’t give me predictable. I want to have an opinion. Beethoven was revolutionary once, too.”
Posted February 8, 2016
