“Music Director JoAnn Falletta’s contract with the Buffalo Philharmonic Orchestra has been extended for five years, the organization has announced,” writes Jeff Miers in Saturday’s (10/19) Buffalo News (Buffalo, N.Y.). “The new contract positions Falletta to remain at the helm of the orchestra through the 2025-26 season…. The announcement comes as the BPO embarks on its event-filled season celebrating Falletta’s 20th anniversary as music director, and one day after Buffalo Mayor Byron W. Brown, during a morning coffee concert performance of Danny Elfman’s ‘Violin Concerto’ led by Falletta, issued a decree proclaiming Oct. 18 ‘Maestro Falletta Day in Buffalo.’ … John Yurtchuk, chair of the board of trustees of the Buffalo Philharmonic Orchestra Society, said, ‘The orchestra’s trajectory has been on an upward swing thanks to JoAnn, and we are very happy to make this announcement as we celebrate her 20-year tenure this weekend.’ … Falletta recently announced her retirement as music director of the Virginia Symphony Orchestra, effective June 2020. She’s held that position with the VSO since 1991. In a recent interview, Maestro Falletta said her desire to fully focus on the BPO ‘played an incredibly significant part in my decision.’ ”
Posted October 25, 2019
