(Boston) Celebrity Series of Boston, Martha H. Jones, President and Executive Director, today announced the 2007-2008 Celebrity Series of Boston season, its 69th year of bringing to Boston the world’s greatest performing artists. The 2007-2008 season also marks the first season since its founding as a non-profit corporation that the Celebrity Series will operate without a title sponsor, under its incorporated name, Celebrity Series of Boston. Soprano Kiri Te Kanawa opens the season with her Farewell Recital Tour on October 14 at Symphony Hall. The Opening Night reception and gala dinner to benefit the Celebrity Series Arts, Education and Community Program will follow the performance. The performance and the benefit are both sponsored by Talbots Charitable Foundation. In total, the 2007-2008 season will include 47 music, dance and entertainment events from October 2007 through June 2008.
The 2007-2008 season will offer 7 visiting symphony orchestras; 6 major dance companies; 3 vocalists in recital; 4 pianists in recital; 6 chamber music ensembles; 2 spoken word performances; 1 choral ensemble; 2 violinists and 1 cellist in recital; 2 Boston Marquee performances; 2 jazz and world music performances; and several popular and folk artists and ensembles. Rob Kapilow is host for 4 performances of Rob Kapilow’s Family Musik and 2 Rob Kapilow’s What Makes It Great? performances. Celebrity Series events in the 2007-2008 season will take place in Symphony Hall, New England Conservatory’s Jordan Hall, Citi Wang Theatre, Citi Shubert Theatre, Sanders Theatre, Berklee Performance Center, Cutler Majestic Theatre, and Tsai Performance Center at Boston University.
Orchestras
The Celebrity Series orchestral season begins on Monday, November 19; with the Berlin Philharmonic, conductor Sir Simon Rattle, tenor Ben Heppner, and bass-baritone Thomas Quasthoff in a performance of Gustav Mahler’s Das Lied von der Erde and György Kurtág’s Stele at Symphony Hall. The performance is sponsored by Foley & Lardner, LLP. WGBH is media partner. The Royal Concertgebouw Orchestra returns to Symphony Hall with conductor Mariss Jansons on Friday, February 1, with a program of Debussy and Berlioz. The concert is sponsored by DeMoulas Foundation; media partner is WGBH 89.7 FM. The Academy of St. Martin in the Fields with conductor and piano soloist Murray Perahia performs Mozart, J.S. Bach and Haydn on Wednesday, April 2 at Symphony Hall; sponsored by Bank of America. Orchestre National de France returns to Boston on Sunday, April 27 with conductor Kurt Masur and piano soloist David Fray for a program of Beethoven and Tchaikovsky at Symphony Hall; sponsored by PTC.
As part of the Celebrity Series’ Boston Marquee, the Boston Youth Symphony Orchestra with conductor Federico Cortese and clarinet soloist Richard Stoltzman will perform at Symphony Hall on Sunday, March 9 in celebration of their 50th anniversary. Boston Marquee is sponsored by Talbots Charitable Foundation.
On Wednesday, November 7 the Simon Bolivar Youth Orchestra of Venezuela with conductor Gustavo Dudamel will play a concert of Bartok, Bernstein and selected music of Latin America, presented by New England Conservatory in association with the Celebrity Series and the Boston Symphony Orchestra. The Celebrity Series is also offering a free bonus concert, Camerata Ireland with conductor and piano soloist Barry Douglas, for 7-event and orchestra subscribers on Friday, March 7 at NEC’s Jordan Hall. Tickets for Camerata Ireland will go on sale to non-subscribers in September.
Vocalists and Vocal Ensembles
Famed soprano Dame Kiri Te Kanawa opens the 2007-2008 season at Symphony Hall on Sunday, October 14 at 5pm. The engagement is part of her Farewell Recital Tour. The evening will feature The Opening Night reception and gala dinner celebrating the 19-year anniversary of Talbots’ Celebrity Series sponsorship; proceeds to benefit the Celebrity Series Arts, Education and Community Program. Kiri Te Kanawa’s recital and The Opening Night gala are sponsored by Talbots Charitable Foundation; media partner is WGBH, 89.7. On Saturday, November 10, soprano Measha Brueggergosman will make her Boston debut at NEC’s Jordan Hall, and on Sunday, November 25, the a capella ensemble Chanticleer will return to Jordan Hall for “A Chanticleer Christmas.” Countertenor David Daniels will give a recital at Jordan Hall on Saturday, January 19; sponsored by Talbots Charitable Foundation.
Thomas Quasthoff and James Levine Recital Offer
Orchestra Series subscribers or 7-event subscribers that include the Berlin Philharmonic performance (November 19, Symphony Hall) in their subscriptions will receive a priority offer to purchase select seating for a special recital performance by Thomas Quasthoff, bass-baritone and James Levine, piano on February 24 at Symphony Hall; presented by the Boston Symphony Orchestra.
Instrumental Recitals
Violinist Itzhak Perlman will play a recital on Sunday, October 28 at Symphony Hall. The performance is an Aaron Richmond Recital, sponsored by Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center. Violinist Gil Shaham will play a recital at Jordan Hall on Sunday, March 30. Shaham’s performance is also an Aaron Richmond Recital. On Sunday, May 4, cellist Alisa Weilerstein will play a Boston Marquee recital at NEC’s Jordan Hall. Boston Marquee is sponsored by Talbots Charitable Foundation.
Pianists
The first Celebrity Series 2007-2008 piano recital takes place on Sunday, November 4, when Emanuel Ax performs at NEC’s Jordan Hall. On Saturday, January 26, Marc-André Hamelin makes his Celebrity Series debut at Jordan Hall, and on Friday, February 22, Alfred Brendel returns to Symphony Hall. Boston favorite Dubravka Tomsic will play a recital at Jordan Hall on Friday, April 18. On Saturday, May 10, Rob Kapilow and pianist Jeremy Denk will explore Beethoven’s “Waldstein” Sonata as part of Rob Kapilow’s What Makes It Great? at NEC’s Jordan Hall. WGBH 89.7 is media partner for the Hamelin, Brendel and Tomsic recitals and for Rob Kapilow’s What Makes It Great?
The Aaron Richmond Recitals
The Aaron Richmond Recitals include all of the piano recitals and the concerts by Itzhak Perlman and Gil Shaham. These recitals are generously endowed by Nancy Richmond Winsten and Dr. Joseph Winsten in memory of Aaron Richmond, founder of the Celebrity Series.
Chamber Music Ensembles
Chamber music performances for 2007-2008 get underway Sunday, November 18 when the St. Lawrence String Quartet with soprano Heidi Grant Murphy and pianist Kevin Murphy play a Jordan Hall concert featuring music of Chausson, Schubert, Beethoven and the Boston premiere of Roberto Sierra’s Songs from the Diaspora; a Celebrity Series co-commission. On Sunday, December 9, the Takács Quartet will play a program of Haydn, Bartok and Brahms at Jordan Hall. On Friday, February 15, at NEC’s Jordan Hall, the Guarneri String Quartet and the Johannes String Quartet will perform a program featuring Boston premieres of string quartets by composers Esa-Pekka Salonen and Derek Bermel, and an octet by William Bolcom, co-commissioned by the Celebrity Series, and the Shostakovich and Mendelssohn String Octets; media partner is WGBH 89.7. The new music chamber ensemble Imani Winds will make their Boston debut on Saturday, March 15 at Jordan Hall; sponsored by Bank of America; media partner is WGBH 89.7. The Beaux Arts Trio will perform a farewell tour concert featuring works by Schubert and György Kurtág at Jordan Hall on Friday, April 4, and the new music ensemble Ethel will make their Boston debut on Friday, May 9 at Sanders Theatre in Cambridge.
The six chamber music concerts in 2007-2008 are supported in part by the Celebrity Series Friends of Chamber Music, established with a generous gift from the Catherine and Paul Buttenwieser Foundation. Those seeking more information or wishing to join the Friends of Chamber Music may contact the Celebrity Series Development Office at (617) 598-3228.
The Dance Series
Six major dance companies comprise the 2007-2008 Dance Series. The Dance Series is sponsored by The Little Family Foundation and Emerson College. WGBH is media partner for the 2007-2008 Dance Series.
The 2007-2008 Dance Series launches with the Seán Curran Company in three performances at the Tsai Performance Center on October 26-28 and The Paul Taylor Dance Company performs November 30-December 2 at the Citi Shubert Theatre. Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater visits during the month of February, appearing for a five-performance engagement February 7-10 at the Citi Wang Theatre; sponsored by Tufts Health Plan. Les Grands Ballets Canadiens de Montréal makes its Boston debut March 28-30 in three performances of Ohad Naharin’s evening-length work, Minus One; co-sponsored by the Consulate General of Canada, the Province of Québec, and the New England-Canada Business Council. Another international dance company makes its Boston debut when Black Grace Dance Company visits the Tsai Performance Center at Boston University April 17 & 18. The Mark Morris Dance Group joins the orchestra and chorus of Emmanuel Music May 28-June 1 for five performances of Mark Morris’ masterwork, Dido and Aeneas. Mark Morris himself will conduct the musicians.
Jazz and Cabaret
The Maria Schneider Orchestra will make its Boston debut on Saturday, November 17 at the Berklee Performance Center; presented in association with Berklee College of Music. On Saturday, February 2, at NEC’s Jordan Hall, audiences will rediscover The Songs of George Gershwin with Rob Kapilow’s What Makes It Great? featuring Rob Kapilow at the piano and special guest singers; sponsored by Christine Armstrong, Smith Barney; media partner WGBH 89.7. The Grammy-nominated timba group Tiempo Libre will make their Celebrity Series debut on Saturday, April 12 at the Berklee Performance Center, and on Friday, May 16, Boston favorite Audra McDonald will perform at Sanders Theatre in Cambridge; sponsored by BDO Seidman, LLP.
Entertainment
Author and radio personality David Sedaris comes to Symphony Hall on Friday, November 2; sponsored by Bank of America. The African Children’s Choir makes its Boston debut on Sunday, November 11 at Sanders Theatre in Cambridge; sponsored by Bank of America, and on Sunday, January 13, the Golden Dragon Acrobats will make their Boston debut at Symphony Hall; sponsored by Tufts Health Plan. The Moiseyev Dance Company performs at Symphony Hall on Sunday, January 20; sponsored by Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center. The Assad Brothers’ Brazilian Guitar Festival, featuring guitar duo Sergio and Odair Assad, guitarist Romero Lubambo, guitarist and vocalist Badi Assad and guitarist, percussionist, and vocalist Celso Machado, will take place on Friday, January 25 at Sanders Theatre in Cambridge; sponsored by PTC. Authors Sarah Vowell and David Rakoff will bring their unique brand of humor to Sanders Theatre in Cambridge on Friday, February 8, and on Sunday, March 2, the bluegrass band Cherryholmes will make their Boston debut at Sanders Theatre. Saturday, March 8 marks the Celebrity Series debut of the Royal Scots Dragoon Guards and The Band of the Coldstream Guards at Symphony Hall; sponsored by Tufts Health Plan. Irish music legends The Chieftains return to Symphony Hall on Friday, March 14; sponsored by Bank of America.
Rob Kapilow’s Family Musik
The 2007-2008 season of Rob Kapilow’s Family Musik begins on Saturday, November 17 with Carnival of the Animals for performances at 12pm and 2pm at the Tsai Performance Center. Family Musik continues on Saturday, April 12 with Casey: Play Ball! for performances at 12pm and 2pm at the Tsai Performance Center. Rob Kapilow’s Family Musik is sponsored by The Collings Foundation.
The 2007-2008 Family Musik performances are supported in part by the Family Musik Circle of Friends, established by the generous gifts of donors dedicated to furthering the educational goals of Family Musik and the Celebrity Series. Those seeking more information or wishing to join the Family Musik Circle of Friends may contact the Celebrity Series Development Office at (617) 598-3228.
Boston Marquee
In its 2007-2008 season, the Celebrity Series of Boston will present the seventh season of Boston Marquee, a performance series that pays tribute to the wealth of talented musicians, composers and dancers in the Boston area. Like its predecessor, the Emerging Artists Series, Boston Marquee features emerging young talents, prominent Boston masters and internationally celebrated performers and ensembles based in Boston. Boston Marquee events for 2007-2008 are the Boston Youth Symphony Orchestra at Symphony Hall on March 9, and cellist Alisa Weilerstein at Jordan Hall on May 4 (both listed in copy above). Boston Marquee is sponsored by Talbots Charitable Foundation.
Subscription Brochures
Subscription brochures describing the entire 2007-2008 Celebrity Series of Boston season, complete with ticket order forms, will be mailed the week of April 21 to current Celebrity Series subscribers and single-ticket buyers. Persons who wish to receive a copy of the new brochure should call (617) 482-2595 or write to Celebrity Series of Boston, 20 Park Plaza, Suite 1032, Boston, MA 02116. Visit the Celebrity Series of Boston web site, www.celebrityseries.org, for more information.
Note: Individual tickets at regular box-office prices go on sale in September.
About Celebrity Series of Boston
Celebrity Series of Boston is New England’s leading presenter of music, dance, and the performing arts from around the world. Founded in 1938, the Series incorporated as a not-for-profit corporation in 1989. Each year, the Celebrity Series brings to Boston’s major concert halls performances by instrumental and vocal soloists, symphony orchestras, chamber ensembles, dance companies, jazz and popular music performers, folk and ethnic performance groups, and other performing artists. The Celebrity Series’ Arts, Education and Community program was initiated in 1984. It reaches over 20,000 students annually through more than 130 activities each year at 225 Boston area schools and organizations, including AileyCamp Boston, a six-week summer dance program for Boston middle school students. For more information on the Celebrity Series of Boston, call (617) 482-2595 or visit us online at www.celebrityseries.org.
The Celebrity Series receives major annual support from The Little Family Foundation; the Susanne Marcus Collins Foundation; Bank of America; The Linde Family Foundation; Tufts Health Plan; Talbots Charitable Foundation; Foley & Lardner LLP; John Chany Trust; Charlesbank Capital Partners; Comcast; Morgan Stanley; The Deborah Munroe Noonan Memorial Fund u/w/o Walter J. Noonan, Bank of America, Trustee; PTC; Pierre and Maria-Gaetana Matisse Foundation; Steven and Joan Belkin Foundation; Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center; The Collings Foundation; The Red Sox Foundation; Massachusetts Cultural Council; National Endowment for the Arts; New England Foundation for the Arts; Catherine and Paul Buttenwieser Foundation; the Harris A. Berman and Ruth E. Nemzoff Family Foundation; DeMoulas Foundation; Kathleen and Steven Haley; Cerise and Charles Jacobs; Paul L. King; Sylvia and Gene Landy; Jann E. Leeming and Arthur D. Little; Paul F. and Barbara A. Levy; Frank and Eleanor Pao; Spring Sirkin and Arthur Frank; Dorothy and Steven Weber; Nancy Richmond Winsten and Dr. Joseph Winsten; Charles O. Wood, III and Miriam M. Wood; Ellen and Arnold Zetcher.
