2023-2024 Season Brochure by Office NBSO

Relax. Recharge. Restore. 23|24 S EASON

I’m excited to present to you a concert season like never before. Never before – because we won’t be at the Zeiterion this season (you might have heard it’s getting a makeover). Never before – because we will be at the New Bedford High School. But mostly never before – because every live concert is a unique experience that never happened before, and once finished, will never return. That’s the magic – and mystery –of the phenomena of music.

Programming a season of concerts is one of the most fun things I get to do as music director. When doing so, I aim to create a combination of performers and composers that can expand our view of the world, and make you – our audience – leave the concert a little different (hopefully in a good way) than when you first arrived.

Let me tell you a little about our guest artists this season. Some you might already know – my esteemed colleagues, concertmaster Jesse Holstein, principal violist Anna Griffis, and artistic director of our chamber music series, pianist Janice Weber. Sydney Lee is an up-and-coming cellist whose virtuosic and thoughtful playing blew me away. I asked her to

play the Elgar Cello Concerto – a piece full of deep beauty and stunning virtuosity, both for the soloist and the orchestra. Pianist Katherine Chi and I performed together in Canada, and the chemistry between us was immediate. As it turns out, she performed with the NBSO once before my time, and I am so looking forward to her return, where she will play Brahms’ massive Second Concerto. And, finally, legendary pianist Sergei Babayan will join us to play Prokofiev’s Second Piano Concerto, a mind-blowing piece that makes the piano sound like never before.

As you will see in the programs, we remain committed to promoting great music by women composers and people of color. And of course, we will continue to have a lot of fun in our ever-popular holiday concerts and movie Pops – which this season will feature music from animated TV series and movies. Have I mentioned yet that it will be a season like never before?

I can’t wait to see you!

Yaniv Dinur, Music Director

P.S. Why am I in a bathtub? Turn the page to find out.

Symphonic Selfies

Passage (’pas-ij) n.

The act of passing from one place to the next or the act of changing smoothly from one situation to another.

SATURDAY, OCTOBER 14, 7:30 PM

Bronspiegel Auditorium, New Bedford High School

Yaniv Dinur, conductor

Sydney Lee, cello

James Lee III: Sukkot Through Orion’s Nebula

Jean Sibelius: Symphony No. 7

Edward Elgar: Cello Concerto

American composer James Lee III’s opening piece invokes the Hebrew holiday of Sukkot and draws inspiration from passages in the Book of Job and Revelations, creating a world both old and new. Sibelius’ Symphony No. 7 is in one movement and is only 20 minutes long, but in that compact space, he defies the inherited world of the symphonic tradition to create his own personal vision of the possibilities of orchestral music. The evolution of his melodies throughout the piece and the harmonic soundscape he conjures is like nothing before or after him. It is one of the most beautiful and moving works ever written for symphony orchestra. Elgar’s Cello Concerto lives (and flourishes) firmly within the Romantic world. Elgar harnesses all that that musical world has to offer in a masterpiece for cello and orchestra, which will be performed by acclaimed cellist Sydney Lee.

NBSO 23/24 SEASON 5

Photos taken at New Bedford’s Take2wo selfie museum. Photo credit: Matthew Poyant

SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 18, 7:30 PM

Bronspiegel Auditorium, New Bedford High School

Yaniv Dinur, conductor

Janice Weber, piano

Clarice Assad: Nhanderú

Dmitri Shostakovich: Piano Concerto No. 2

Antonín Dvořák: Symphony No. 6

Brazilian composer Clarice Assad draws on the rain-making rituals of the Tupi and Gurana tribes of the Amazon basin to create a piece of music that is both prayerful and delightful, including that beautiful moment when you feel light raindrops falling on your uplifted face. Composer Dimitri Shostakovich might not typically be associated with the idea of pure beauty, but the second movement of his Piano Concerto No. 2 is truly mesmerizing in its gentle beauty, and the rest of the piece is infused with a celebratory joy, which is fitting since Shostakovich wrote it as a gift to his piano-playing son on his 19th birthday. Another reason to celebrate this piece is that it will be performed by our very own South Coast Chamber Music Series artistic director, the inestimable Janice Weber. The program concludes with Dvořák’s sixth symphony, which is filled with an embarrassment of beautiful melodic riches, as only he can do. We’ll take every one of them without being embarrassed at all!

SUNDAY, DECEMBER 10, 3:30

& 7 PM

Bronspiegel Auditorium, New Bedford High School

Yaniv Dinur, conductor and emcee

Appearances by the Southeastern Massachusetts Youth Orchestra and the Showstoppers

Our perennially sold-out Holiday Pops concerts are something you and your family won’t want to miss! The spirit of the season is alive and well with Yaniv, our musicians, and special guests, including The Showstoppers and the Southeastern Massachusetts Youth Orchestra. The festively-decorated concert hall and family-friendly atmosphere are just what everybody needs at this time of year. The matinee performance is perfect for children and the young at heart, while the evening performance features a bit more music but is still a treat for all ages. Both performances are about one hour long, with no intermission.

6 Relax.

Recharge. Restore.

NBSO 23/24 SEASON 7

SATURDAY, JANUARY 20, 7:30 PM

Bronspiegel Auditorium, New Bedford High School

Yaniv Dinur, conductor and emcee

What do Yaniv, our musicians, Tom and Jerry, Homer Simpson, and the Pink Panther all have in common? They want to get animated! And so will you at this concert of wonderful music from animated films like Toy Story 2, Hercules, Coco, How to Train Your Dragon, Mulan, and more. Get your tickets early because our Movie Pops concerts always sell out. You don’t want to miss this fun night of great music or any of our comedian-conductor Yaniv’s jokes and skits.

SATURDAY, MARCH 16, 7:30 PM

Bronspiegel Auditorium, New Bedford High School

Yaniv Dinur, conductor

Jesse Holstein, violin

Anna Griffis, viola

Andreia Pinto Correia: Acanto

Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart: Sinfonia Concertante

Ludwig van Beethoven: Symphony No. 3 “Eroica”

Portuguese composer Andreia Pinto Correia was inspired to write Acanto by the growth patterns of a plant that is native to the Mediterranean region, acanthus mollis. We experience a different type of growth in Mozart’s beloved Sinfonia Concertante, a work in which Mozart greatly expanded his conception of how soloists and orchestra can interweave their playing together. The close connection between soloists and orchestra that Mozart wanted is just what our soloists, NBSO concertmaster Jesse Holstein and principal violist Anna Griffis, who know our orchestra from the inside out, will provide. Beethoven’s third symphony represents his own growth from the influence and musical debt he owed Mozart. This is the symphony where Beethoven declared his own, unique genius, which has shaped what we expect an orchestra to sound like to this very day.

8 Relax. Recharge.

Restore.

NBSO 23/24 SEASON 9

SATURDAY, APRIL 13, 7:30 PM

Bronspiegel Auditorium, New Bedford High School

Yaniv Dinur, conductor

Katherine Chi, piano

Sergei Prokofiev: Suite from The Love for Three Oranges

Brian Raphael Nabors: Pulse for Orchestra

Johannes Brahms: Piano Concerto No. 2

It should not come as a surprise by now that Yaniv likes to provide our audiences with memorable listening experiences. In this concert, he offers us many contrasts – in other words, three pieces of music that couldn’t be more different from one another! We begin with an upbeat rhythmic jaunt in Pulse for Orchestra by American composer Brian Raphael Nabors. Then we switch to the witty and even prickly music of Prokofiev’s delicious The Love for Three Oranges. Finally, we have one more switch, to the massive, overpowering sound of Brahms, whose second piano concerto is often called a “symphony with piano.” Pianist Katherine Chi, whom critics describe as “compelling, cogent, sensational,” returns for her second engagement with the NBSO.

The Way of Passion

SATURDAY, MAY 18, 7:30 PM

Bronspiegel Auditorium, New Bedford High School

Yaniv Dinur, conductor

Sergei Babayan, piano

Sergei Prokofiev: Piano Concerto No. 2

Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky: Symphony No. 6 “Pathétique”

Prokofiev’s second piano concerto has been called a piece of music that is “filled with wild passions” and Tchaikovsky gave his sixth symphony the name “Pathétique,” which from the original Russian is better translated as “passion, deep emotion.” In both these works, the composers plumb the depths of all that music can make us feel. Be prepared! The legendary Armenian-American pianist Sergei Babayan, known for his spontaneity and surprises at the keyboard, joins us for the first time.

10 Relax.

Recharge. Restore.

NBSO 23/24 SEASON 11

MESSAGE

ABOUT THIS SEASON

As you probably know, our usual home, the Zeiterion Performing Arts Center, will be undergoing a $31 million renovation during the 2023-24 season. The NBSO has been fully engaged in the planning, design, and fundraising efforts for this truly transformative project. The benefits it will bring to NBSO, Festival Theatre, and Zeiterion Theatre concertgoers will be nothing less than spectacular, and our whole community and region will be enriched by the improvements and new capacities the renovation will bring. We salute and thank the Zeiterion staff and board for all their hard work and inspiring vision of what The Z can be, and what it can mean to our community and region. We can’t wait to get back to our wonderful home at The “New” Z!

But in the meantime, we are excited to be at our temporary home, the Bronspiegel Auditorium at New Bedford High School. This venue has all we need for wonderful concert experiences: comfortable, assigned seating, ample and convenient parking, and a just completed acoustical makeover. Plus, we are pleased to announce that the NBSO will conduct an educational and community residency at the high school, which will include new programmatic connections and engagement between our music director, musicians, and staff, and the students and teachers of New Bedford High School. We will have several side-by-side performances, masterclasses, and sectional and chamber music coaching opportunities for students, as well as offering stage, drama, music, and art students the chance to work with us behind the scenes on production, promotion, and special events and programs. In addition, we will hold events and programs specifically designed for students and their families and the high school staff. All of this is a natural progression of the strong ties we have with the New Bedford Public School district. Together we will take full advantage of the opportunity this season provides to make more music and serve the youth and families of the city we call home.

Save on ticket prices when you choose 3 or more concerts, plus no ticketing fees.

If you choose not to subscribe, you can purchase single concert tickets through the Zeiterion box office beginning August 22 in person, by phone 508-994-2900, or online at zeiterion.org. All orders purchased through The Z are subject to a $6.00 processing fee, and tickets purchased online or by phone are subject to a $4.00 per ticket convenience fee.

SECTION

A $65 SECTION B $50

Holiday Pops Ticket Prices

SECTION A

$43

Dave Prentiss, President and CEO

A SPECIAL

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A B C NBSO 23/24 SEASON 13

Students 22 & under $10 (all concerts, all sections) by visiting the Zeiterion box office. SECTION C

$20

SECTION B $35 SECTION C

Single Ticket Prices for all concerts (except Holiday Pops)

$20

H 28 26 24 22 20 18 16 14 12 10 8 6 4 2 H 114 112 110 108 106 104 102 101 103 105 107 109 111 113 H 1 3 5 7 9 11 13 15 17 19 21 23 25 27 H G 28 26 24 22 20 18 16 14 12 10 8 6 4 2 G 114 112 110 108 106 104 102 101 103 105 107 109 111 113 G 1 3 5 7 9 11 13 15 17 19 21 23 25 27 G F 28 26 24 22 20 18 16 14 12 10 8 6 4 2 F 114 112 110 108 106 104 102 101 103 105 107 109 111 113 F 1 3 5 7 9 11 13 15 17 19 21 23 25 27 F Section B, E 28 26 24 22 20 18 16 14 12 10 8 6 4 2 E 114 112 110 108 106 104 102 101 103 105 107 109 111 113 E 1 3 5 7 9 11 13 15 17 19 21 23 25 27 E D 28 26 24 22 20 18 16 14 12 10 8 6 4 2 D 114 112 110 108 106 104 102 101 103 105 107 109 111 113 D 1 3 5 7 9 11 13 15 17 19 21 23 25 27 D C 28 26 24 22 20 18 16 14 12 10 8 6 4 2 C 114 112 110 108 106 104 102 101 103 105 107 109 111 113 C 1 3 5 7 9 11 13 15 17 19 21 23 25 27 C B 28 26 24 22 20 18 16 14 12 10 8 6 4 2 B 114 112 110 108 106 104 102 101 103 105 107 109 111 113 B 1 3 5 7 9 11 13 15 17 19 21 23 25 27 B Section A, A 28 26 24 22 20 18 16 14 12 10 8 6 4 2 A 114 112 110 108 106 104 102 101 103 105 107 109 111 113 A 1 3 5 7 9 11 13 15 17 19 21 23 25 27 A S 30 28 26 24 22 20 18 16 14 12 10 8 6 4 2 S 115 114 113 112 111 110 109 108 107 106 105 104 103 102 101 S 1 3 5 7 9 11 13 15 17 19 21 23 25 27 29 S R 30 28 26 24 22 20 18 16 14 12 10 8 6 4 2 R 115 114 113 112 111 110 109 108 107 106 105 104 103 102 101 R 1 3 5 7 9 11 13 15 17 19 21 23 25 27 29 R Q 30 28 26 24 22 20 18 16 14 12 10 8 6 4 2 Q 115 114 113 112 111 110 109 108 107 106 105 104 103 102 101 Q 1 3 5 7 9 11 13 15 17 19 21 23 25 27 29 Q O 30 28 26 24 22 20 18 16 14 12 10 8 6 4 2 O 115 114 113 112 111 110 109 108 107 106 105 104 103 102 101 O 1 3 5 7 9 11 13 15 17 19 21 23 25 27 29 O Section A, 10 N 30 28 26 24 22 20 18 16 14 12 10 8 6 4 2 N 115 114 113 112 111 110 109 108 107 106 105 104 103 102 101 N 1 3 5 7 9 11 13 15 17 19 21 23 25 27 29 N M 30 28 26 24 22 20 18 16 14 12 10 8 6 4 2 M 115 114 113 112 111 110 109 108 107 106 105 104 103 102 101 M 1 3 5 7 9 11 13 15 17 19 21 23 25 27 29 M L 30 28 26 24 22 20 18 16 14 12 10 8 6 4 2 115 114 113 112 111 110 109 108 107 106 105 104 103 102 101 L 1 3 5 7 9 11 13 15 17 19 21 23 25 27 29 L K 30 28 26 24 22 20 18 16 14 12 10 8 6 4 2 K 115 114 113 112 111 110 109 108 107 106 105 104 103 102 101 K 1 3 5 7 9 11 13 15 17 19 21 23 25 27 29 K 30 28 26 24 22 20 18 16 14 12 10 8 6 4 2 115 114 113 112 111 110 109 108 107 106 105 104 103 102 101 J 1 3 5 7 9 11 13 15 17 19 21 23 25 27 29 J H 30 28 26 24 22 20 18 16 14 12 10 8 6 4 2 H 115 114 113 112 111 110 109 108 107 106 105 104 103 102 101 H 1 3 5 7 9 11 13 15 17 19 21 23 25 27 29 H G 30 28 26 24 22 20 18 16 14 12 10 8 6 4 2 G 115 114 113 112 111 110 109 108 107 106 105 104 103 102 101 G 1 3 5 7 9 11 13 15 17 19 21 23 25 27 29 G F 30 28 26 24 22 20 18 16 14 12 10 8 6 4 2 F 115 114 113 112 111 110 109 108 107 106 105 104 103 102 101 F 1 3 5 7 9 11 13 15 17 19 21 23 25 27 29 F E 30 28 26 24 22 20 18 16 14 12 10 8 6 4 2 E 115 114 113 112 111 110 109 108 107 106 105 104 103 102 101 E 1 3 5 7 9 11 13 15 17 19 21 23 25 27 29 E D 28 26 24 22 20 18 16 14 12 10 8 6 4 2 D 115 114 113 112 111 110 109 108 107 106 105 104 103 102 101 D 1 3 5 7 9 11 13 15 17 19 21 23 25 27 D C 28 26 24 22 20 18 16 14 12 10 8 6 4 2 C 115 114 113 112 111 110 109 108 107 106 105 104 103 102 101 C 1 3 5 7 9 11 13 15 17 19 21 23 25 27 C Section B, 6 B 26 24 22 20 18 16 14 12 10 8 6 4 2 B 115 114 113 112 111 110 109 108 107 106 105 104 103 102 101 B 1 3 5 7 9 11 13 15 17 19 21 23 25 B A 24 22 20 18 16 14 12 10 8 6 4 2 A 115 114 113 112 111 110 109 108 107 106 105 104 103 102 101 A 1 3 5 7 9 11 13 15 17 19 21 23 A DD 22 20 18 16 14 12 10 8 6 4 2 DD C C C C C DD 1 3 5 7 9 11 13 15 17 19 21 DD CC 20 18 16 14 12 10 8 6 4 2 CC 115 114 113 112 111 110 109 108 107 106 105 104 103 102 101 CC 1 3 5 7 9 11 13 15 17 19 CC Section C, 5 BB 18 16 14 12 10 8 6 4 2 BB C C C C C BB 1 3 5 7 9 11 13 15 17 BB AA 16 14 12 10 8 6 4 2 AA 115 114 113 112 111 110 109 108 107 106 105 104 103 102 101 AA 1 3 5 7 9 11 13 15 AA Broken/Missing Seats Unavailable with Audio at FoH Stage Bronspiegel Auditorium at New Bedford High School Full Capacity: 1200 Total Seats for sale excluding accessible seats = 1155. A 569 | B 471 | C 115 House Left Entrance WC WC WC WC WC WC WC WC WC WC House Right Entrance Mezzanine Right Orchestra Right Orchestra Center Orchestra Left Mezzanine Center Mezzanine Left Mezzanine Right Mezzanine Center Mezzanine Left House Right Entrance House Left Entrance Orchestra Right Orchestra Center Orchestra Left

Bronspeigel Auditorium

How to order your subscription

Please refer to the perforated page to the right for your subscription options, then choose one of these 3 simple methods:

Online: Nbsymphony.org

Mail: NBSO, 128 Union St., Suite 204, New Bedford, MA 02740

Call the NBSO: 508-999-6276

Subscriber Benefits:

Discounted ticket price, best seating options, no convenience or processing fees, payment plans accepted, add concerts at any time.

If you cannot make a concert for which you have subscription tickets, call the NBSO office up to 3 days before the concert and you may exchange them for tickets to another concert, receive a refund of the ticket price, or donate them back to the Symphony and receive a receipt for your tax-deductible donation. Donated tickets will be given to local music students so that they may attend the concert for free!

Due to the change of venue for the 2023-24 season, there will be no “renewal” of subscriber seats. Please list your seating preference in the notes section of the order form. All requests will be fulfilled in the order received.

Venue

All concerts are held in the Bronspiegel Auditorium at New Bedford High School, 230 Hathaway Boulevard, New Bedford, MA 02740. Please notify us of any special needs for seating in the auditorium.

Accessibility: Bronspiegel Auditorium is fully accessible. Wheelchair and companion seating are located in rows BB and DD of the Orchestra Center section. All tickets are $20. Please call 508-994-2900 to purchase tickets in this section and arrange for assistance.

Concert Parking

Free and convenient parking available in the parking lots adjacent to the auditorium.

Recharge. Restore.

Donations of $1,000+ receive special recognition and benefits including invitations to receptions and private concerts by our guest artists. Thank you! Subscription Total $

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Name(s) Address Address 2 City State Zip Phone Email Please make check payable to NBSO or: q Visa q MC q Amex q Discover Credit Card No. Exp. Date Name on Card (Print) Code Signature

Tax-deductible

Grand

Subscription Total

Additional Tax-deductible Donation Seating Section Preference: q Orchestra Right q Orchestra Center q Orchestra Left q Mezzanine Right q Mezzanine Center q Mezzanine Left Notes:

Donation $

Total $ q

CHOOSE the complete 7-concert series or create your own series of 3-6 concerts below.

COMPLETE SERIES: Best Buy — 15% DISCOUNT!

7 Concerts: Includes Five Classical and Two Pops Concerts

CHOOSE YOUR OWN SERIES: 10% Discount! (Discount Reflected Below) Select 3 to 6 Concerts (3 Concert Minimum)

(see reverse for payment info.)

$ TOTALS CONCERT Three Worlds q October 14, 7:30 PM $ $ $ $ Holiday Pops q December 10, 3:30 PM OR q December 10, 7:00 PM $ $ Let’s Get Animated! q January 20, 7:30 PM $ $ Growth q March 16, 7:30 PM $ $ Many Contrasts q April 13, 7:30 PM $ $ The Way of Passion q May 18, 7:30 PM $ $ Beautiful Moments q November 18, 7:30 PM SECTION A QTY. DISC. PRICE SECTION B QTY DISC. PRICE SECTION C QTY. DISC. PRICE ADULT $58 STUDENT $10 ADULT $45 STUDENT $10 ADULT $18 STUDENT $10 ADULT $58 STUDENT $10 ADULT $45 STUDENT $10 ADULT $18 STUDENT $10 ADULT $39 STUDENT $10 ADULT $32 STUDENT $10 ADULT $18 STUDENT $10 ADULT $58 STUDENT $10 ADULT $45 STUDENT $10 ADULT $18 STUDENT $10 ADULT $58 STUDENT $10 ADULT $45 STUDENT $10 ADULT $18 STUDENT $10 ADULT $58 STUDENT $10 ADULT $45 STUDENT $10 ADULT $18 STUDENT $10 ADULT $58 STUDENT $10 ADULT $45 STUDENT $10 ADULT $18 STUDENT $10 SECTION (YOU SAVE) SUBSCRIPTION PRICE QTY. TOTAL ($66) $367 $ ($50) $285 $ ($21) $119 $ Add Student(s) age 22 and under: $70 $ A B C

AN ORCHESTRA FOR THE COMMUNITY

Since 1915, the New Bedford Symphony Orchestra has been making powerful connections in our community. In addition to the magic we bring to the stage, the NBSO provides nationally recognized educational programs to thousands of children throughout the South Coast. Your support has a powerful impact in the concert hall and in the community including...

• Making Great Concerts possible with an orchestra packed with stellar musicians and internationally acclaimed guest artists.

• Helping to Build the NBSO Community with performances at events and festivals in partnership with local community organizations.

• Ensuring Classical Music is Passed on to the Next Generation by providing educational and engaging musical experiences and free music lessons to children in our schools and community.