Charlotte Symphony announces new season. Pay close attention to the guest conductors
The Charlotte Symphony Orchestra announced its 2022-23 season on Monday at a pivotal time for the organization — when it is looking for a new music conductor.
Maestro Christopher Warren-Green announced in May that the current season would be his 12th and final one leading the orchestra. “Twelve years is long enough,” Warren-Green told the Observer at the time. “But you don’t leave the orchestra in the lurch. You stand by them until they find the right person.”
After his final performance as music director in late May, he will become conductor laureate and music adviser to the symphony as it searches for his replacement.
And that’s why concertgoers and symphony fans should pay attention to the roster of guest conductors in the new season. It seems likely that for a number of them, their appearance and work could serve as an audition of sorts for the role of music director.
At the time of Warren-Green’s announcement, orchestra President and CEO David Fisk said it would likely take until next year, or possibly into 2024, before a new music director is chosen.
As for the upcoming season, the guest conductors and artists with perspectives from around the world will help display the symphony’s range and versatility, “and (lay) the groundwork for an even more vibrant future,” Fisk said in a statement Monday.
“We’ll also continue to strengthen the cultural fabric of our community through inspiring performances, our commitment to accessible music education and meaningful collaborations with partners throughout the city,” he said.
The CSO’s new season schedule
This is the 91st season for the orchestra, which employs 62 full-time musicians. Subscriptions for the Classical, Pops, Family and Movie series go on sale Monday, March 21. Individual tickets will go on sale in July. For more information: charlottesymphony.org.
CLASSICAL SERIES
Oct. 7-8, 2022, Knight Theater: Elgar cello concerto in E minor, Strauss Aus Italien, Andrew Grams, conductor.
Oct. 28-29, Knight Theater: Boulanger, d’un matin de printemps, Falla, Nights in the Gardens of Spain, Beethoven, Symphony No. 6, Pastoral, Marcelo Lehninger, conductor.
Nov. 18-19, Belk Theater: Beethoven, Triple Concerto, Berlioz, Symphonie Fantastique, Erina Yashima, conductor.
Dec. 2-4, Knight Theater: Handel, Messiah, Christopher Warren-Green, conductor.
Jan. 13-14, 2023, Belk Theater: John Adams, Short Ride in a Fast Machine, Korngold, Violin Concerto in D major, Copland Symphony No. 3, Kwamé Ryan, conductor.
Feb. 3-4, 2023, Knight Theater: Gabriella Smith, Field Guide, Britten, Les Illuminations, Still, Poem for Orchestra, Sibelius, Symphony No. 5, Vinay Parameswaran, conductor.
Feb. 10-11, 2023, Belk Theater: Smyth, On the Cliffs of Cornwall, Grieg, Piano Concerto in A minor, Brahms, Symphony No. 4, Joshua Weilerstein, conductor.
Feb. 24-25, 2023, Knight Theater: Fanny Mendelssohn, Overture in C major, Bruch, Violin Concerto No. 1, Franck, Symphony in D minor, Mei-Ann Chen, conductor.
March 10-11, 2023, Knight Theater: In collaboration with The Mint Museum’s 2023 exhibit Picasso Landscapes: Out of Bounds, hear works by Picasso friend Igor Stravinsky. Details TBA.
March 24-25, 2023 Belk Theater: Mendelssohn, Symphony No. 2, Lobgesang, Jessica Cottis, conductor.
April 28-29, 2023, Belk Theater: Barber, The School for Scandal Overture, Mendelssohn, Piano Concerto No. 1, Rachmaninoff, Symphony No. 2, Lan Shui, conductor.
May 19-20, 2023, Knight Theater: Mozart, Symphony No. 38, Prague, Stravinsky, Violin Concerto in D major, Dvorak, Symphony No. 8, Kazem Abdullah, conductor.
POP SERIES
These all take place in Knight Theater.
Oct. 21-22, 2022: “Queens of Soul,” tribute to strong and soulful women like Aretha Franklin, Tina Turner and Gladys Knight.
Dec. 16-18, 2022: “Holiday Pops,” classic holiday favorites, sing-alongs, guest artists and snow falling in the Knight Theater.
Feb. 17-18, 2023: “Classical Mystery Tour: Music of the Beatles,” honors the musical legacy of the Beatles with reproductions of their famous hits.
May 12-13, 2023: “007: The Best of James Bond,” covering the best of the Bond themes.
MOVIE SERIES
All films are screened in Belk Theater.
Nov. 25-26, 2022: “The Polar Express”
March 17-18, 2023: “Return of the Jedi”
May 5-6, 2023: “The Princess Bride”
June 16-17, 2023: “Raiders of the Lost Ark”
FAMILY SERIES
These all take place in Knight Theater.
Oct. 22, 2022: “Halloween Spooktacular” and a costume contest.
Dec. 17, 2022: “Holiday Pops” with classic holiday favorites.
Feb. 18, 2023: “The Emperor’s New Clothes with Grey Seal Puppets”
May 13, 2023: “Classical Kids Live! Tchaikovsky Discovers America”
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This story was originally published March 21, 2022 at 12:00 PM.
