BSO Announces New Symphony in the City Dates for 2023-24 Season

Series launches with a special celebration of Día de los Muertos

BALTIMORE, MD (October 26, 2023) — The Baltimore Symphony Orchestra (BSO) announces the 2023-24 return of its Symphony in the City series, a lineup of free concerts that break the constraints of traditional concert venues, fostering free, unique musical encounters throughout Baltimore City. Thanks to the generous support of presenting sponsor BGE, Symphony in the City kicks off with a special Día de los Muertos performance on Wednesday, November 1, at 5:30 pm at Archbishop Borders School in the heart of East Baltimore’s Highlandtown neighborhood.

“Connecting communities through the universal language of music, Symphony in the City stands as a beacon of BSO’s mission to make classical music more accessible while bringing more music to more Baltimoreans,” said Mark Hanson, BSO’s President and CEO. “This series invites celebration of the rich traditions of Día de los Muertos, while bringing the joy of live orchestral music to the heart of Baltimore.”

Originating in Mexico, Día de los Muertos (Day of the Dead) is a revered tradition, honoring deceased loved ones through vibrant celebrations, elaborate altars, and festive music. The BSO’s event embraces this spirit, curating a repertoire reflective of Latin American culture while simultaneously paying homage Baltimore’s growing Latino population.

Under the baton of renowned Miami-based conductor Jacomo Bairos, the performance unfolds as a mosaic of Latin American musical heritage. Highlights include Abreu’s Tico Tico no Fubá, Revueltas’ “Noche de Jaranas” from La Noche de los Mayas, Márquez’s Danzón No. 2, Moncayo’s Huapango and Piazzolla’s Oblivion with BSO Second Clarinet Vitor Trindade as soloist. Each piece has been meticulously chosen to resonate with the themes of Día de los Muertos, ensuring an immersive and authentic experience for concertgoers. Guests are encouraged to arrive early to enjoy special welcome performances of Buenas Tardes, Telcolote, La Sopa se Isabel, Canto de Pilón and De Colores performed by the student musicians of Archbishop Borders School.

This year’s Symphony in the City programs all center around community observances and celebrations, including a special Martin Luther King, Jr. Day performance on January 15, at the B&O Railroad Museum and a summer kickoff performance conducted by the BSO’s new Music Director, Jonathon Heyward on Friday, June 7. All Symphony in the City performances are free, family-friendly, and open to all.

The BSO’s artistic partner, Wordsmith serves as advisor of each of the Symphony in the City performances in the 2023-24 concert season. With a goal of driving the BSO toward greater accessibility and appeal, he says “my musical influences throughout my career have ranged from jazz, hip hop, house music, pop, spoken word and of course, classical, so I’m interested in taking elements from all those genres to help create an inviting and inclusive experience for all music lovers.”

Symphony in the City: Día de los Muertos

Wednesday, November 1, student performance begins at 4:30 pm, BSO performance begins at 5:30 pm Archbishop Borders School, 3500 Foster Ave., Baltimore, MD 21224

 

Artists
Jacomo Bairos, conductor
Vitor Trindade, clarinet

Repertoire
ABREU “Tico Tico no Fubá”
REVUELTAS Noche de Jaranas from La noches de los Mayas
GALINDO Poema de Neruda
MONCAYO Huapango
PIAZZOLLA Oblivion
FRANK Jungle Jaunt from Three Latin American Dances
FALLA Danza ritual del fuego from El amor brujo
LECUONA Gitanerías from Andalucía
LECUONA La Comparsa from Danzas afro-cubanas
LECUONA Malagueña from Andalucía
MÁRQUEZ Danzón No. 2