Rufus Wainwright once said, “I like to make the mundane fabulous whenever I can,” and for over two decades that is exactly what the singer, songwriter, and composer has done. Performing at the Strathmore in Bethesda, Maryland, on Saturday, December 8th, Wainwright brings his “All These Poses Anniversary Tour” to the Mid-Atlantic region to the delight of his fans. The concert tour commemorates the 20th anniversary of his 1998 self-titled debut album, as well as his second studio album, 2001’s Poses. The American-Canadian artist recently chatted with Baltimore OUTloud regarding his upcoming tour, his new music and his hope for […]
Hallelujah! Handel’s Messiah at the BSO
Legend has it that when Handel’s Messiah debuted in 1742, King George II was so moved by the “Hallejuah” chorus that he stood up, and the audience followed suit. Whether or not this is true, standing during the song became a musical tradition that has lasted the centuries. On December 8th and 9th, attendees of Handel’s Messiah performed by the Baltimore Symphony Orchestra (BSO) and Concert Artists of Baltimore Symphonic Chorale (CAB) will be able to partake in the tradition at the Joseph Meyerhoff Symphony Hall. Conductor Edward Polochick will lead the BSO and CAB in this annual favorite. “After […]
Blowing His Own…Jazz trumpeter Chris Botti Nov. 23rd to 25th
“I’ve always loved the challenge of playing the trumpet,” says Grammy Award-winning jazz trumpeter Chris Botti. Over the past three decades, Botti has become the largest-selling American instrumental artist with four number one jazz albums and has performed with musical legends like Barbara Streisand, Frank Sinatra, Josh Groban, Lady Gaga, and others. On November 23rd to 25th, he will return to the Joseph Meyerhoff Symphony Hall as part of the Baltimore Symphony Orchestra’s SuperPops series. Botti’s love for the trumpet is obvious to anyone who has listened to his albums or performances, but he is quick to mention the obstacles […]
Great Britain Bound: The BSO Heads Overseas
On August 21st, 102 musicians, ten staff members, two consultants, and 82 guests embark on a legendary international tour. The Baltimore Symphony Orchestra (BSO) will perform in their first international tour in Ireland and the UK. “The BSO is honored to make its return to international touring at such prestigious festivals and venues,” says Tonya McBride Robles, BSO general manager. “The invitation to play not once, but twice, at the Edinburgh Festival, and on the actual anniversary of Bernstein’s birthday during his centenary, is a privilege. Likewise, performing at the BBC Proms, with a radio and television broadcast of the […]
Kick Off Summer with the New Music Festival
Kick off your summer with the Baltimore Symphony Orchestra (BSO) as they celebrate contemporary classical music during their New Music Festival. From June 20th to 23rd, Music Director Marin Alsop and the BSO will tour Baltimore venues and perform pieces by Thierry De Mey, Du Yun, Dan Visconti, Osvaldo Golijov, and James MacMillan. The festival will also feature the world premiere of Kevin Puts’s Oboe Concerto, “Moonlight.” “The BSO’s New Music Festival focuses on the idea of combining music and art in fresh and approachable ways by connecting the music of some of the most creative composers active today with […]
BSO Pulse Finale with Moon Taxi
WTMD Morning Host Alex Cortright has had many special moments during his involvement with BSO Pulse. “The first time I saw the respectable and composed musicians of the BSO receive the kind of raucous, rock ’n’ roll applause that you’d expect in clubs was priceless,” says Cortright. “They were all wide-eyed and grinning from ear to ear. However, the best part of the series from season to season is the collaboration (the final act of the evening) between the bands and the BSO. This is where worlds collide.” The Baltimore Symphony Orchestra (BSO) will be joined by Moon Taxi for […]
Blockbuster at the BSO: Raiders of the Lost Ark
Indiana Jones. The name alone makes your brain start to play the iconic theme music and creates a strong desire to hold a whip. Watch Harrison Ford escape the gigantic stone sphere and battle Nazis at the Joseph Meyerhoff Symphony Hall and the Music Center at Strathmore on May 10th to 13th. Under the direction of Principal Pops Conductor Jack Everly, the Baltimore Symphony Orchestra (BSO) will perform the John Williams score as Raiders of the Lost Ark plays on the big screen. For those who have not attended a “Movie with the Orchestra” performance, get ready to experience […]
See the Music, Hear the Dance Top-notch Baltimore high school dancers join the BSO
Ballet is more than pretty music and graceful movements. Renowned choreographer George Balanchine is quoted as saying, “See the music, hear the dance.” In “Tchaikovsky with Balanchine,” audience members will be able to experience and delight in the relationship between music and dance at the Joseph Meyerhoff Symphony Hall and the Music Center at Strathmore April 26th through 29th. Under the direction of Music Director Marin Alsop, the Baltimore Symphony Orchestra (BSO) will be joined by the Baltimore School for the Arts for an evening of ballet and symphony. “Tchaikovsky composed some of the most beautiful melodies ever written,” […]
Gay Composer Poulenc’s Work Headlines Tiffany Concert Poulenc’s wit, grace, and savoir faire tickles audiences today
When the Tiffany Series at Brown Memorial Presbyterian Church presents its concert entitled “A Passion for Poulenc” on May 6th, it will be highlighting the music of a French composer whose unique style – a juxtaposition of lyrical melodies, ironic, even subversive harmonies, and shifts from parody to tragedy – has been linked to his complex feelings about his homosexuality. Francis Poulenc came of age in post-war Paris of the 1920s, the city of Picasso, Man Ray, Serge Diaghilev (“Les Ballets Russes”), and Igor Stravinsky, whose “The Rite of Spring” had recently created a near-riot. Jazz was new, and music […]
Vegas Nights with Frankie Moreno
Las Vegas is coming to Baltimore in the form of the dazzling Frankie Moreno. The Las Vegas “Headliner of the Year” winner will join Principal Pops Conductor Jack Everly and the Baltimore Symphony Orchestra (BSO) from April 12th through 15th at the Joseph Meyerhoff Symphony Hall and the Music Center at Strathmore. “Frankie Moreno is a consummate showman who embraces all kinds of music with irresistible enthusiasm, musicianship, and charm,” says Abhijit Sengupta, director of artistic planning. “There is simply no one like him, and the staff, musicians and crew of the Baltimore Symphony look forward to letting […]