Baltimore Symphony Orchestra Postpones its Gala to May 9 with Concert Featuring Itzhak Perlman

Baltimore Symphony Orchestra Postpones its Gala to May 9 with Concert Featuring Itzhak Perlman

Free Community Concerts to Open Season in September 2019

Baltimore, MD – Monday, July 22, 2019 – The Baltimore Symphony Orchestra today announced that its Annual Gala will be moved from Saturday, September 14, 2019, to Saturday, May 9, 2020.

As the organization’s signature fundraising event, the Gala comprises a black-tie pre-concert dinner and post-concert reception as well as a premium-priced public concert – a program that, in addition to a special guest artist, also features young musicians engaged in the BSO’s signature education programs. Against the backdrop of ongoing orchestra contract negotiations, the BSO determined that the spring was a more appropriate time to host this event.

The Baltimore Symphony Orchestra is pleased to announce that world-renowned violinist Itzhak Perlman will return to Baltimore to perform as the guest artist at this special concert, alongside the traditional black-tie pre- and post-concert activities for Gala sponsors and supporters. Although soprano Renée Fleming was not available for the date of the rescheduled event, the BSO is working with Ms. Fleming to engage her for a future date. The previously scheduled May 9 orchestra with film performance of “Star Wars: Return of the Jedi” will be moved to Thursday, May 7, and ticket holders will be contacted soon.

The BSO plans to open its 2019-20 season in September and will now present a Season Preview concert, on Saturday, September 14 at 8 pm at the Joseph Meyerhoff Symphony Hall. That concert, along with other concerts scheduled to be performed in the community that week, will be free and open to the public.

“We are grateful to our many individual and corporate donors who have already pledged their support for this year’s Gala, and who care deeply for our institution and our musicians,” said BSO President and CEO Peter Kjome.  “Just as these generous supporters are committed to the Orchestra’s success, we are committed to presenting an outstanding Gala.”  Kjome continued, “We are thrilled that the world-renowned Itzhak Perlman will be the featured artist for the Gala and look forward to welcoming Renée Fleming at a future date. We also look forward to expressing our gratitude to our community by launching our new season with free concerts featuring our extraordinary musicians.”

Current ticket holders and sponsors for the BSO Gala will be contacted by the BSO’s Development Department. Single tickets for the May 9 Gala Concert featuring Itzhak Perlman will go on sale on Tuesday, July 23.

Further details on the free Season Preview concert, and other free public performances, including how to reserve tickets, will be announced at a later date.

About Itzhak Perlman

Internationally renowned violinist Itzhak Perlman has performed in concert halls worldwide as well as venues that have included a State Dinner at the White House honoring Queen Elizabeth II, and the Presidential Inauguration of President Obama.  Winner of numerous Grammy and Emmy Awards, Itzhak Perlman received the Kennedy Center Honor in 2003, celebrating his distinguished achievements and contributions to the cultural and educational life of our nation, and he was awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom in 2015.

About the Baltimore Symphony Orchestra

For over a century, the Baltimore Symphony Orchestra (BSO) has been recognized as one of America’s leading orchestras and one of Maryland’s most significant cultural institutions. Under the direction of Music Director Marin Alsop, the orchestra is internationally renowned and locally admired for its innovation, performances, recordings and educational outreach initiatives including OrchKids.

The Baltimore Symphony Orchestra performs annually for more than 350,000 people throughout the State of Maryland. Since 1982, the BSO has performed at the Joseph Meyerhoff Symphony Hall in Baltimore, and since 2005, with the opening of The Music Center at Strathmore in North Bethesda, MD, the BSO became the nation’s first orchestra performing its full season of classical and pops concerts in two metropolitan areas. More information about the BSO can be found at BSOmusic.org.