Music director and chief conductor Ludovic Morlot leads the Seattle Symphony Orchestra.
Image: Courtesy Seattle Symphony
The Eiffel Tower is majestic. The cafes possess a warm ambience. The French language has an aural allure. But much of the romanticism of Paris comes from its music. This Saturday, the Seattle Symphony musically whisks patrons away to France with its Opening Night Concert and Gala. Chief conductor and French native Ludovic Morlot’s Paris-inspired program features a litany of classic works by French composers including Jacques Ibert, Camille Saint-Saëns, and Erik Satie (orchestrated by Claude Debussy). The night also showcases renowned violinist performing three pieces including Pablo de Sarasate’s Carmen Fantasy, Op. 25 (see video below). For those seeking the full Parisian experience, the gala portion of the evening follows the performance with an elegant black-tie cocktail reception and dinner at Fairmont Hotel.
As per usual, 2014–15 Seattle Symphony schedule loaded with the canonic masterworks and fun, casual series like Untuxed and Untitled. Beyond those offerings, here are a few highlights of the season:
- The roster of talent visiting Benaroya Hall is stacked with collectives—the London Symphony Orchestra (Apr 1) and Seoul Philharmonic Orchestra (Apr 21)—and soloists—Yo-Yo Ma (May 3) and Hilary Hahn (Oct 2 & 4).
- The Seattle Pops lineup includes an explorations of John Williams’s iconic movie scores for Star Wars, Indiana Jones, Jaws, etc. (Oct 10–12), Rogers and Hammerstiens’s Broadway classics (Mar 6–8), Ray Charles’s soulful tunes (June 5–7), and a visit from the Preservation Hall Jazz Band (April 10–12).
- The Symphony hosts two composer-based series focusing on the musical legacies of Antonín Dvořák (Sept 18–Oct 5) and Jean Sibelius (Mar 12–29).
- The ever-popular Sonic Evolution concert returns (Jan 30) to mash up modern Seattle music and the SSO. This year the focus is on grunge with new works inspired by Nirvana and a performance by Pearl Jam guitarist Mike McCready.
Seattle Symphony Opening Night Concert and Gala
Sept 13 at 4, Benaroya Hall, $56–$147; Gala packages $650–$1,000
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