Boston Pops to perform first July 4 Esplanade concert since the pandemic began

“Music and fireworks will once again ring out across the Charles River in Boston this Fourth of July,” writes Dianna Bell in last Thursday’s (5/26) WBUR (Boston). “Conductor Keith Lockhart and the Boston Pops announced plans Thursday to return to the Hatch Memorial Shell stage on the Esplanade for the 2022 Fireworks Spectacular. It will be the first time that’s happened in three years because of the COVID-19 pandemic. The Pops held their July 4 concert at Tanglewood in the Berkshires last year because of planning constraints brought on by the coronavirus…. This will be Lockhart’s 27th Independence Day program as conductor of the Boston Pops. The Tanglewood Festival Chorus and the Middlesex County Volunteers Fifes & Drums will also perform…. This year’s Fireworks Spectacular will include a moment of remembrance for businessman and philanthropist David Mugar, who died in January. Mugar was a longtime supporter and producer of the televised festivities… Organizers plan to announce special guest performers and program details in the coming weeks.” Lockhart said, “The past three years have given us profound lessons on the importance of not taking things for granted … as well as caring and looking out for each other.”