Erin Kogler Director of Communications Milwaukee Symphony Orchestra 414.226.7831 KEN-DAVID MASUR and the MILWAUKEE SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA 2020-21 SEASON WORLD RENOWNED ARTISTS PERFORM 5-time Academy Award, 4-time Golden Globe, and 25-time Grammy Award winner JOHN WILLIAMS returns to the MSO for a one-night-only performance JOYCE DIDONATO to perform a one-night-only concert at the Bradley Symphony Center featuring music from her 2020 Grammy Award-winning album Songplay _______________________ CLASSICS SEASON 20-21 KEN-DAVID MASUR opens the Classics Season at the Bradley Symphony Center with LIVE MILWAUKEE PBS BROADCAST of BEETHOVEN’S NINTH SYMPHONY “ODE TO JOY” The Milwaukee Symphony celebrates the opening of the Bradley Symphony Center with ‘30s FESTIVAL featuring the music of Gershwin, Still, Korngold, Weill, and Florence Price, among others Ken-David Masur leads the MSO in a staged production of PEER GYNT, directed by Bill Barclay _____________________ POPS SEASON 20-21 KEN-DAVID MASUR conducts POPS performance PROHIBITION during ‘30s FESTIVAL POPS SEASON opens with performances by American singer, pianist, and music revivalist MICHAEL FEINSTEIN Season celebrates the music of ASTOR PIAZZOLLA, BARBRA STREISAND, and the MUSIC OF MOTOWN _____________________ HOLIDAYS AT THE MSO HOLIDAYS AT THE MSO include HOLIDAY POPS, HANDEL’S MESSIAH, CANADIAN BRASS, and VIENNA BOYS CHOIR __________________ FILM WITH OCHESTRA The MSO presents FILMS WITH ORCHESTRA, including SINGIN’ IN THE RAIN, GHOSTBUSTERS, and THE PRINCESS BRIDE Milwaukee, Wis. 2/21/2020 - Music Director Ken-David Masur and the Milwaukee Symphony Orchestra announced plans today for the 2020.21 season, the first season in the Bradley Symphony Center. This inaugural season includes an opening performance conducted by beloved composer John Williams, a World Premiere commission, symphonic blockbusters, pops superstars, a staged production, and world- class guest artists including Joyce DiDonato. Subscriptions are now on sale, and single tickets will go on sale September 1. Music Director Ken-David Masur said, “I am proud to be a part of the Milwaukee Symphony Orchestra during this exciting time of new possibilities. We are about to embark on a maiden voyage together in this stunning hall. Our season includes works specially curated to reveal the glorious acoustics of our new space - from symphonic cornerstones to new pieces. The orchestra and I are excited to share in this journey of musical discovery with you.” President and Executive Director Mark Niehaus said, “This season is a dream decades in the making. It is thrilling to announce a season in this spectacular venue. In 2020.21, the orchestra will perform some of the most magnificent symphonic music ever written in a space designed to be an awe-inspiring feast for the senses. We are looking forward to celebrating this theater all season long, including presenting a multi-week ‘30s festival honoring the decade in which the theater was built. Our goal in 2020.21 is to create immersive artistic experiences that will engage our entire community.” New programs this season include Bradley Symphony Center Presents concerts, which are presented without orchestra. Those include Joyce DiDonato, Canadian Brass, and Vienna Boys Choir, among others. This year, the Milwaukee Symphony has also added several prelude Pops programs on Friday morning at 11:15 AM. Music Director Ken-David Masur’s Second Season The Milwaukee Symphony’s inaugural season in the Bradley Symphony Center is Ken-David Masur’s second season as music director. During 2020.21, Masur will conduct 13 concert weekends that feature music from baroque to contemporary. Repertoire highlights include a new commission by Eric Nathan, Beethoven’s Symphonies Nos. 7 and 9, a staged production of Grieg’s Peer Gynt, Mahler’s Symphony No. 2, Bruckner’s Symphony No. 4, and Duruflé’s Requiem. It will also include contemporary works by living composers – John Adams, Somei Satoh, Jean-Frédéric Neuburger, and Sebastian Currier. Masur will also conduct the Milwaukee Symphony’s perennial favorite Handel’s Messiah performances. John Williams Returns to the Milwaukee Symphony on October 10, 2020 The renowned composer behind Star Wars, Jurassic Park, Harry Potter, and countless more — John Williams — joins the MSO on stage to conduct an evening of his own music. Ken-David Masur leads the first half, which includes many favorite themes including Jaws, E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial, and “Hedwig’s Theme” from Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone; after intermission, Williams brings it home with tunes from Star Wars, Indiana Jones, and more. Classics Season Opener – Live Milwaukee PBS Broadcast – October 24, 2020 The 2020.21 Classics Season continues the Milwaukee Symphony’s celebration of 250 years of Beethoven – opening with a live-televised performance of Beethoven’s Symphony No. 9 “Ode to Joy,” with the Milwaukee Symphony Chorus, directed by Cheryl Frazes Hill, Christiane Libor (soprano), Clara Osowski (mezzo-soprano), Kang Wang (tenor), and Dashon Burton (baritone). The concert will also feature the world premiere of a new Milwaukee Symphony commission by Eric Nathan, as well as John Adams’s Absolute Jest performed by the Aizuri Quartet. The first classics weekend will include three performances, October 23 at 8 pm, October 24 at 8 pm, and October 25 at 2:30 pm. Staged Production of Grieg’s Peer Gynt conducted by Ken-David Masur and directed by Bill Barclay The MSO will present a staged adaptation of Peer Gynt on January 22-24, 2021. Conductor Ken-David Masur and director Bill Barclay and Concert Theatre Works reunite Grieg’s unforgettable music (including the immediately recognizable “In the Hall of the Mountain King” and “Morning Mood”) with a fun and modern take on Ibsen’s drama. This creative team has assembled eight costumed actors, a playful puppet and props, the Milwaukee Symphony Chorus, and more to create an expansive staged spectacle — all to tell the outlandish tale of Peer Gynt, a hopeless yarn-spinner who lies and sneaks his way through many misadventures and ultimately learns his lesson. ‘30s Festival The Milwaukee Symphony will celebrate the 1930s – the decade in which the Warner Theater opened – in a 3-week program exploration of the decade’s best music. Ken-David Masur will lead two programs and former music director Andreas Delfs will lead one. The first program on January 29 and 30, conducted by Delfs and featuring vocalist Ute Lemper, will include the sweeping score of Korngold’s Captain Blood and works by Weill (Threepenny Opera Suite and Songs) and Prokofiev. American composers are on display February 5-7, including African America trailblazer William Grant Still and Pulitzer Prize-winning Samuel Barber. Pianist Aaron Diehl performs Gershwin’s Second Rhapsody as well as the only Piano Concerto of African American female pioneer composer Florence Price. Finally, Ken-David Masur leads the orchestra in a Pops program called “Prohibition” February 12-14. Prohibition takes audience members on a musical journey through the era, from Rudy Vallee and Josephine Baker to Kurt Weill and King Oliver. It features the top hits of the era, enhanced by outstanding vocalists – Myra-Maud, Madison Clare Parks, and Bronson Norris Murphy – plus imagery and video transporting patrons back in time. While suitable for all ages, “Prohibition” contains imagery and themes of adult nature. Holidays at the Milwaukee Symphony Orchestra Canadian Brass – December 8 – One of the most popular brass ensembles in the world performs holiday tunes. Holiday Pops – December 11-13 – The whole family is invited to the Milwaukee Symphony’s musical holiday tradition. Shayna Steele, a powerhouse vocalist, joins the MSO for favorite carols, classics, and sing-alongs. Vienna Boys Choir – December 19 – The Vienna Boys Choir performs holiday favorites – hymns, carols and folk songs. Handel’s Messiah – December 16-20 – Conducted by Ken-David Masur and featuring the Milwaukee Symphony Chorus, audiences will experience Handel’s Baroque masterpiece. The Thursday, December 17, performance will be held at the Bradley Symphony Center. The December 16 and 18-20 performances will take place at the Basilica of St. Josaphat. Introducing Resonance Food Co. The Milwaukee Symphony and its hospitality partners have scaled up food and beverages with the creation of Resonance Food Co. Resonance Food Co. will offer a medley of choices, prepared on-site by full-time chefs. The second floor Atrium and the ground level Gallery will feature full bars with comfortable lounge seating for mingling and conversation. In addition, five bars will serve every level of the Symphony Center, and patrons will be welcome to take beverages into the concert hall. Patrons should expect signature dishes and bespoke drinks, accented by local flavors and favorite traditions, as well as changing menus that reflect concert themes. CLASSICS 1 Beethoven’s Ninth – Inaugural Season Opener Friday, October 23, 2020 8:00 pm Saturday, October 24, 2020 8:00 pm Sunday, October 25, 2020 2:30 pm Ken-David Masur, conductor Aizuri Quartet Christiane Libor, soprano; Clara Osowski, mezzo-soprano; Kang Wang, tenor; Dashon Burton, baritone Milwaukee Symphony Chorus Cheryl Frazes Hill, director Eric Nathan New Commission – World Premiere John Adams Absolute Jest Beethoven Symphony No. 9 CLASSICS 2 Scheherazade Friday, October 30, 2020 11:15 am Saturday, October 31, 2020 8:00 pm Ken-David Masur, conductor Third Coast Percussion Somei Satoh Saga Takemitsu From Me Flows What You Call Time* Rimsky-Korsakov Scheherazade CLASSICS 3 French Masters Friday, November 13, 2020 8:00 pm Saturday, November 14, 2020 8:00 pm Ken-David Masur, conductor Edgar Moreau, cello Jean-Frédéric Neuburger Aube Lalo Cello Concerto Franck Symphony in D Minor CLASSICS 4 de Waart & Brautigam Friday, November 20, 2020 11:15 am Saturday, November 21, 2020 8:00 pm Sunday, November 22, 2020 2:30 pm Edo de Waart, conductor Ronald Brautigam, piano Brahms Variations on a Theme by Haydn Schreker Kammersinfonie Beethoven Coriolan Overture Mozart Piano Concerto No.