“The Houston Symphony has canceled its first performances of the 2017-18 season, including the opening-night gala featuring mezzo-soprano Susan Graham due to the aftermath of Hurricane Harvey,” writes Steven Brown in Friday’s (8/10) Texas Classical Review. “The orchestra and Houston Grand Opera are among the many local classical groups struggling with the hurricane’s epic flooding. … during the storm, water filled the streets around Jones Hall for the Performing Arts where the orchestra performs, and Wortham Theater Center, Houston Grand Opera’s home. … While the symphony’s musicians and staff all came through the storm safely, some had to evacuate their homes. The flooding inundated the underground parking garage that serves Jones Hall, the Wortham Center and other venues. Water also got into the basement of Jones Hall but the stage and auditorium came through unscathed. Still, with no place for Jones Hall concertgoers to park, the orchestra has canceled” the Sept. 1-3pops concerts; the Sept. 9 opening-night concert with Graham; the annual Fiesta Sinfonica concert on Sept. 10; and an outdoor concert on Sept. 6. “As of now, the orchestra hopes to open its season Sept. 14-17 with the first program of its classical series, which includes Mahler’s Symphony No. 4, conducted by music director, Andres Orozco-Estrada.”
As part of relief efforts following Hurricane Harvey, musicians from the Houston Symphony offered the gift of music to those who gathered for safety at the George R. Brown Convention Center on Aug. 31. Musicians in the photo include Rebecca Reale, violin; Sophia Silivos, violin; Linda Goldstein, viola; and Brinton Smith, cello. Photo by Joel Luks.
Posted September 5, 2017
