(Photo credit: Roger Mastroianni) The Cleveland Orchestra is set host its 45th annual concert honoring the life and legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Soprano Laquita Mitchell and the Martin Luther King, Jr. Celebration Chorus are slated to perform with The Cleveland Orchestra. Associate Conductor Daniel Reith conducts. Dr. William Henry Caldwell directs the all-volunteer community chorus. Aseelah Shareef, {…}
The Cleveland Orchestra has announced that it has received a $5 million gift from The Kelvin and Eleanor Smith Foundation. The gift will be to support the Kelvin Smith Family Chair held by Music Director Franz Welser-Möst. The next three years will see the orchestra celebrate its historic partnership with Welser-Möst, who will step down from the position when his {…}
(Photo credit: Dan Nickells) Roger Wright CBE, the chief executive of Britten Pears Arts, has been awarded a knighthood in HM The King’s Birthday Honors List for Services to Music. In 1978, Wright began his career at the British Music Information Centre. He worked as a freelance writer and broadcaster with specialist knowledge of British 20th century music, and held {…}
The Cleveland Orchestra has announced a $4.6 million gift from Myrna and Jim Spira. Per an official press release, the gift will support the organization’s artistic programming, pension fund, and annual fund. Additionally, the gift endows the Myrna and Jim Spira Bass Clarinet Chair. “It’s a privilege to be part of a community that has supported the development of an {…}
Conductor Franz Welser-Möst has announced that he will not sign an extension to continue as music director of The Cleveland Orchestra. His contract is set to expire in 2027 following 25 years of collaboration. “I am immensely grateful for the extraordinary journey that I have had with The Cleveland Orchestra since I first came to Severance more than 30 years {…}
The Cleveland Orchestra has announced the 44th annual Martin Luther King Jr. Celebration. The event, scheduled for Jan. 14, 2024 at the Jack, Joseph and Morton Mandel Concert Hall at Severance Music Center, will feature performances by The Martin Luther King Jr. Celebration Chorus and violinist Amaryn Olmeda. Daniel Reith and Dr. William Henry Caldwell conduct. Danita Harris will serve as {…}
The Cleveland Orchestra has canceled its upcoming Israel tour. In a statement, the orchestra said, “The Cleveland Orchestra has made the decision to cancel its upcoming tour in Israel. The safety of our musicians and staff is a top priority, and this decision was based on State Department guidelines in consultation with security advisors.” The company added, “The Orchestra will {…}
The Cleveland Orchestra is set to honor Robert Madison with a Distinguished Service Award on Oct. 12, 2023. The showcase, which will be presented prior to a concert, will take place at the Jack, Joseph and Morton Mandel Concert Hall. Madison joined the Board of Trustees in 1998 and then became the chair of the Community Relations Committee and the {…}
The Cleveland Orchestra has announced updates to its musician personnel. First up, the organization announced that Charles Paul, who has been a member of the bass section since 2022, has taken over duties as first assistant principal bass. Additionally, the orchestra welcomed Meghan Guegold Hege as assistant/utility horn, Tanner Tanyeri as a percussionist, Youngji Kim and Genevieve Smelser as first {…}
The Cleveland Orchestra has announced its 2023-24 season. For the purposes of this article, our focus will be solely on vocal performances. The season opens with performances of “Amadeus” featuring The Cleveland Orchestra Chorus. Richard Kaufman conducts. Performance Dates: Sept. 21 – 24, 2023 Simon Keenlyside leads a program featuring music by Mahler. Franz Welser-Möst conducts. Performance Dates: Oct. 12 {…}
The Cleveland Orchestra has announced a $7 million commitment to support education concerts for children. Per an official press statement issued by the company, the money comes from the newly created Eric and Jane Nord Family Fund; Jane B. Nord was honored with The Cleveland Orchestra’s Distinguished Service Award on March 2, 2023. “We are deeply grateful for the continued {…}