DSO announces its performance schedule

Fresh off ratifying a new three-year deal with its musicians union, the Delaware Symphony Orchestra has announced its upcoming 2013-2014 season.

“I am absolutely thrilled with the season we have planned,” said Tatiana Copeland, DSO board chair. “We will be performing more concerts in a wider variety of venues than ever before. The season will feature our own enormously talented musicians as well as some superlative guest artists.”

The DSO says its repertoire includes its Classics and Chamber Series showcasing the works of Rachmaninoff, Brahms and Mozart and some newer additions like Dead Elvis by Michael Daugherty and musica celestis by Aaron Jay Kernis.

The orchestra will perform at The Grand Opera House, Tatnall School and the Hotel du Pont, as it has done in the past; the DSO will also add two new venues this season: Archmere Academy in Claymont and the Queen Theater in downtown Wilmington. This season, the DSO is trying to give concertgoers the opportunity to experience classical music in both formal and casual environments. 

Meantime, as the DSO continues to get its financial house in order, a $75,000 jolt from the Dept. of State in the form of a one-time grant is a good start. Also, last month during negotiations between the DSO and its union, Wilmington Mayor Dennis Williams and New Castle County Executive Tom Gordon each pledged $50,000.

“They have made it clear that they want the DSO to thrive,” Copeland said at the DSO’s annual meeting last night. “We are incredibly fortunate to have government leaders who value the contributions of the arts to our quality of life and economic vitality.”

The upcoming season will be conducted by Maestro David Amado, who is entering his eleventh season as the DSO’s music director.

“We have crafted a season that is broad and beautiful — one that celebrates both great repertoire and the wonderful talent of our DSO musicians, both as orchestra players and as soloists.”

Subscriptions to the Classics and Chamber Concert Series went on sale today; subscriptions can be ordered from The Grand’s box office at 302-652-5577 or in person. 

DSO general manager Diana Milburn says ticket prices remain unchanged from last season, however, The Grand’s box office handling fees have increased slightly. 

Single tickets for the Classics and Chamber Series go on sale Aug. 1.

Details of the Classics Concert Series and Chamber Concert Series are listed below:

THE DSO’S 2013-2014 CLASSICS CONCERT SERIES

1. Classic Romance at The Grand Opera House    Friday, September 27, 2013, at 7:30 p.m.    Maestro David Amado, conductor

Ward: Festive Ode
Rachmaninoff: Rhapsody on a Theme of Paganini, featuring Misha Dichter, pianist
Debussy: Prelude to the Afternoon of a Faun
Stravinsky: Firebird Suite(1945 version)

2. Classic Masters at Archmere Academy    Friday, October 25, 2013, at 7:30 p.m. and Sunday, October 27, 2013, at 2:00 p.m.    Maestro David Amado, conductor

Rossini: Overture to Semiramide
Mozart: Violin Concerto No. 5 (“Turkish”), featuring David Southorn, violin
Brahms: Symphony No. 2

3. Classic Jewels at the Laird Performing Arts Center at Tatnall School     Friday, March 21, 2014, at 7:30 p.m. and Sunday, March 23, 2014, at 2:00 p.m.     Maestro David Amado, conductor

Kernis: musica celestis
Schumann: Konzertstück, featuring Katy Ambrose, Lisa Dunham, James Rester, and Karen Schubert, horns
Beethoven: Symphony No. 6

4. Classic Characters at The Grand Opera House    Friday, April 25, 2014, at 7:30 p.m.     Maestro David Amado, conductor

Mendelssohn: A Midsummer Night’s Dream, featuring Sir Derek Jacobi, narrator
Orff: Carmina Burana, featuring guest soloists Mary Wilson,soprano; Clint Williams, countertenor;Jonathan Beyer, baritone; and the University of Delaware’s 130-voice Symphonic Chorale

THE DSO’S 2013-2014 CHAMBER CONCERT SERIES

All Chamber Series concerts will be held on Tuesday evenings at 8:00 p.m. in the Gold Ballroom at the Hotel du Pont.

1. DSO Crosswinds – Tuesday, November 5, 2013

Brahms: Clarinet Quintet, featuring Charles Salinger, clarinet
Additional works to be announced 

2. Igor and Elvis — Tuesday, January 28, 2014     Maestro David Amado, conductor

Daugherty: Dead Elvis, featuring solo bassoon to be announced
Stravinsky: L’Histoire du soldat, featuring narrator to be announced

3. David Amado and Friends – Tuesday, February 25, 2014

Mozart: Quintet for Winds and Piano,featuring David Amado, piano
Additional works to be announced 

4. DSO Crosswinds Encore – Tuesday, April 1, 2014     Maestro David Amado, conductor

Vaughn Williams: Oboe Concerto, featuring Jeff O’Donnell, oboe
Dvorak: Serenade for Strings