“Rafael Payare, the San Diego Symphony’s music director designate, received his official welcome Monday,” writes George Varga in Monday’s (4/30) San Diego Union Tribune. “The charismatic Venezuelan conductor begins his tenure next year…. Payare, 38, wasted no time in setting the bar high and wide…. he told an audience of civic and arts leaders, symphony patrons, orchestra members and media members … ‘It will be wonderful to see different parts of the community come together.’ … San Diego City Council member Chris Ward came armed with a proclamation from the mayor’s office declaring Monday ‘Rafael Payare Day.’ … Symphony CEO Martha Gilmer [said], ‘Rafael immediately realized the depth of knowledge and caring in this community.’ … She then proudly recounted the [Steven] Schick-led, symphony-produced concert here in January, which took place on both sides of the San Diego/Tijuana border wall at International Friendship Park…. Like Gilmer and the San Diego Symphony, Payare is eager to expand the reach of the orchestra and draw new listeners of all ages…. ‘That’s the powerful thing about music. It gets to you,’ ” he said.
Posted May 2, 2018
