At 7 p.m., this Saturday, Seattle Symphony officially kicks-off the 2010-2011 season with Opening Night Concert & Gala, featuring highlights from Music Director Gerard Schwarz's musical legacy in honor of his Farewell Season. Maestro Schwarz, born in New Jersey to Viennese parents, will lead Seattle Symphony in a program that celebrates his Austrian heritage and life as an American artist. The first half of the program features works from America, beginning with the world premiere of Maestro Schwarz's The Human Spirit (orchestral arrangement), with performances by Northwest Boychoir, Ladies of Vocalpoint! Seattle, Seattle Girls' Choir and Northwest Girlchoir Amore. The Orchestra will then perform the world premiere of Composer in Residence Samuel Jones' Concerto for Violoncello and Orchestra, featuring Julian Schwarz, cellist and son of Maestro Schwarz. The second half of the program features Austrian works, including Gustav Mahler's Lieder eines fahrenden Gesellen ("Songs of a Wayfarer"), featuring mezzo-soprano Denyce Graves, followed by Richard Strauss' Suite from Der Rosenkavalier, Op. 59. Concert tickets are available from $20 to $100.
Special Gala packages are available and include prime concert seating, pre-concert cocktail party starting at 5:30 p.m., champagne intermission, seated dinner following the concert, dessert and dancing. Gala tickets start at $500 per person and can be purchased by calling the Special Events Office at (206) 215-4868.
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