Presented by the Milwaukee Symphony Orchestra
Dear Readers,
The new year is in full swing, and so is the arts scene here in Milwaukee. Theaters are alive with acclaimed favorites and sold-out performances, and local exhibitions offer moments of reflection, connection and discovery.
At the Bradley Symphony Center, a landmark season is underway, celebrating both the 50th anniversary of the Milwaukee Symphony Chorus and Milwaukee Symphony Orchestra music director Ken-David Masur, whose final season is marked by some of the most dynamic and imaginative programming of his tenure.
The MSO’s spring lineup features everything from sultry jazz to choral masterworks and top-notch fan favorites of orchestral music. Bach’s St. Matthew Passion fills Allen-Bradley Hall with song (March 20-21), and Byron Stripling kicks things into high gear for America the Beautiful: Patriotic Pops (May 22-24).
The orchestra pulls out all the stops for its final concerts of the season, including the spine-tingling thrills of Stravinsky’s Firebird (May 29-30), before concluding with Beethoven’s Missa solemnis (June 13-14), giving the Milwaukee Symphony Chorus – and Masur, leading his final concerts – their moment in the sun.
Don’t miss a single note: Secure your tickets today at mso.org or by calling the box office at 414-291-7605.
Sincerely,
The Milwaukee Symphony Orchestra
Spring Calendar
Amadeus
Skylight Music Theatre
Through Feb. 8
Encore
Milwaukee Ballet
Through Feb. 8
I Am My Own Wife
Milwaukee Chamber Theatre
Through Feb. 8
Chroma: Color and Abstraction
Tory Folliard Gallery
Through Feb. 14
Lovabye Dragon
First Stage
Through Feb. 15
The Fisherman’s Daughters
Milwaukee Rep
Through March 1
SPOTLIGHTS
Zeitouni Conducts Mozart
JAN. 31 AT 7:30 PM, FEB. 1 AT 2:30 P.M.
Guest conductor Jean-Marie Zeitouni guides this dance across central and eastern Europe. Hear the spirit of Ligeti’s Romania, Kodály’s love for Hungary, and Mozart’s musical postcard from Prague. Featuring Jean-Marie Zeitouni as conductor and Stephen Hough on piano.
Saint-Saëns ‘Organ’ Symphony
FEB. 6 AT 11:15 A.M. | FEB. 7 AT 7:30 P.M.
Witness the musicianship of the first and only organist to win a Grammy Award as Paul Jacobs performs Saint-Saëns’ “Organ” symphony, a work so expressive the composer claimed, “I have given all that I had to give.” Featuring Ken-David Masur as conductor and Paul Jacobs on organ.
McNeal
Milwaukee Rep
Feb. 10-March 22
Swing State
Next Act Theatre
Feb. 11-March 8
Avant-Garden of Love (2nd Edition)
Present Music
Feb. 13-14
SPOTLIGHTS
A Simply Swingin’ Valentine
FEB. 13 AT 7:30 P.M. | FEB. 14 AT 7:30 P.M. | FEB. 15 AT 2:30 P.M.
Cozy up with the one you love this Valentine’s Day and enjoy the jazzy orchestral sounds of love and romance live on stage with vocalist Steve Lippia and your MSO. Featuring the sultry songs made popular by Nat King Cole, Frank Sinatra, Tony Bennett and more. Featuring Ryan Tani as conductor and vocalist Steve Lippia.
Tchaikovsky’s Sleeping Beauty
FEB. 20 AT 11:15 A.M. | FEB. 21 AT 7:30 P.M.
Undoubtedly one of the finest cellists performing today, Johannes Moser plays composer Anna Thorvaldsdottir’s Before We Fall, fresh off its world premiere with the San Francisco Symphony. Alpesh Chauhan leads this energetic new work, as well as romantic selections from Tchaikovsky’s iconic Sleeping Beauty. Featuring Alpesh Chauhan as conductor and Johannes Moser on cello.
Peter Pan and Wendy
First Stage
Feb. 20-March 22
Momentum
Milwaukee Ballet
Feb. 21-22, Feb. 28-March 1
August Wilson’s The Piano Lesson
Milwaukee Rep
Feb. 24-March 22
SPOTLIGHT
Joyce Yang Plays Tchaikovsky
FEB. 27 AT 7:30 P.M. | FEB. 28 AT 7:30 P.M. | MARCH 1 AT 2:30 P.M.
Virtuoso Joyce Yang returns to Allen-Bradley Hall with her “agility, balance and velocity” (The Washington Post) on full display with Tchaikovsky’s first piano concerto. Featuring Ryan Tani as conductor and Joyce Yang on piano.
The Spitfire Grill
Skylight Music Theatre
Feb. 27-March 15
SPOTLIGHT
Hadelich & Brahms
MARCH 6 AT 11:15 A.M. | MARCH 7 AT 7:30 P.M.
Hailed as one of the greatest violinists of our time, Augustin Hadelich returns to the MSO to perform Mendelssohn’s soulful violin concerto. Music Director Ken-David Masur conducts Brahms’ third symphony, a nostalgic work with a recurring musical theme Clara Schumann described as “free but happy.” Featuring Ken-David Masur as conductor and Augustin Hadelich on violin.
Ain’t Misbehavin’
Milwaukee Rep
March 6-April 26
Sonorous Silence
Bel Canto
March 8
Genesis
Milwaukee Ballet
March 13-15
The 8th House
Danceworks MKE
March 13-15
Tales of Hoffman
The Florentine Opera
March 13-15
Julius Caesar
First Stage
March 13-22
SPOTLIGHT
Bach’s St. Matthew Passion
MARCH 20 AT 7:30 P.M. | MARCH 21 AT 7:30 P.M.
When the church was questioning the morality of art, Bach gave the world a musical triumph of faith and spirit. The MSC sings the text from the Gospel of Matthew, sharing a profound biblical narrative with color and emotion. Featuring Ken-David Masur as conductor, Cheryl Frazes Hill, chorus director at Milwaukee Symphony Chorus, and Patrick Grahl, tenor at Milwaukee Children’s Chorus.
Rituals, Spells & Charms
Present Music
March 20-21
Is This a Room
Milwaukee Chamber Theatre
March 20-April 5
Barefoot in the Park
Renaissance Theaterworks
March 22-April 12
SPOTLIGHTS
Yo-Yo Ma with Orchestra
MARCH 25 AT 8:00 P.M. (SOLD OUT!)
For one night only, legendary cellist Yo-Yo Ma brings his plush sound and effortless technique to Milwaukee for his Bradley Symphony Center concerto debut. Dvořák’s cello concerto, written at the height of his creative powers, presents a magisterial view of the instrument’s creative potential and remains one of the most luminous intimations of the composer’s inner world. Featuring Ken-David Masur as conductor and Yo-Yo Ma on cello.
Decades: Back to the ‘80s
MARCH 27 AT 7:30 P.M. | MARCH 28 AT 7:30 P.M. | MARCH 29 AT 2:30 P.M.
Principal Pops Conductor Byron Stripling returns for a power-packed evening of the decade’s iconic, beloved No. 1 hit songs, including “The Power of Love,” “Time After Time,” “Material Girl,” “Footloose,” “Addicted to Love” and many others. Featuring Byron Stripling as conductor, and vocalists Brie Cassil, Paul Loren and Colin Smith.
Gertrude Abercrombie
Milwaukee Art Museum
March 27-July 19
Frida … A Self Portrait
Milwaukee Rep
April 3-May 17
SPOTLIGHT
Wincor Conducts Shostakovich No. 1
APRIL 10 AT 11:15 A.M. | APRIL 11 AT 7:30 P.M.
Guest conductor Katharina Wincor leads a masterwork by young Shostakovich – his first symphony launched the composer’s career and remains one of his most celebrated contributions to music. Featuring Katharina Wincor as conductor and David Fray on piano.
A Rockin’ Midsummer Night’s Dream
Skylight Music Theatre
April 10-26
Disney’s Frozen
First Stage
April 11-May 17
Mrs. Christie
Milwaukee Rep
April 14-May 10
SPOTLIGHT
Schumann Romance
APRIL 17 AT 7:30 P.M. | APRIL 18 AT 7:30 P.M.
Violinist Nancy Zhou takes center stage for Clara Schumann’s Three Romances. Robert Schumann struggled against illness and depression to complete his second symphony but eventually added a boisterous finale “in which I am myself again.” Featuring Ken-David Masur as conductor and Nancy Zhou on violin.
Dinner With The Duchess
Next Act Theatre
April 22-May 17
SPOTLIGHT
Fandango & Rapsodie
APRIL 25 AT 7:30 P.M. | APRIL 26 AT 2:30 P.M.
Guest conductor Asher Fisch leads this vivid program featuring two pieces by Ravel inspired by the sounds of Spain. The MSO’s First Associate Concertmaster Ilana Setapen commands the stage with Arturo Márquez’s folk-infused violin concerto Fandango. Featuring Asher Fisch as conductor and Ilana Setapen on violin.
Echoing Through the Ages
Bel Canto
April 26
Alice (In Wonderland)
Milwaukee Ballet
May 1-10
George and Gracie: A Love Story
Milwaukee Rep
May 1-June 14
SPOTLIGHT
Copland & Twain
MAY 8 AT 11:15 A.M. | MAY 9 AT 7:30 P.M. | MAY 10 AT 2:30 P.M.
Co-premiere with the Buffalo Philharmonic Orchestra
This new theatrical concert marries Aaron Copland’s stirring incidental music with Mark Twain’s poignant observations of a changing America. Ken-David Masur leads the full orchestral power of the MSO in an America250 Celebration, joined by six costumed actors and enhanced by vibrant projected visuals. Featuring Ken-David Masur as conductor, and Bill Barclay, director of Concert Theatre Works.
A Raisin in the Sun
Milwaukee Chamber Theatre
May 8-24
Currents 40: Widline Cadet
Milwaukee Art Museum
May 8-Aug. 9
Tosca
The Florentine Opera
May 15-17
Br!NK New Play Festival
Renaissance Theaterworks
May 17-18
SPOTLIGHTS
America the Beautiful: Patriotic Pops
MAY 22 AT 7:30 P.M | MAY 23 AT 7:30 P.M. | MAY 24 AT 2:30 P.M.
Celebrate America’s 250th birthday with a musical journey that captures the heart and soul of the nation. Byron Stripling leads this historic concert experience, showcasing the evolution of American music, from spirituals and gospel tunes to the rhythms of ragtime and the heartfelt passion of the blues. Featuring Byron Stripling as conductor.
Stravinsky’s Firebird
MAY 29 AT 7:30 P.M. | MAY 30 AT 7:30 P.M.
Jader Bignamini conducts a suite from Stravinsky’s fairytale ballet, The Firebird. Rising star Giuseppe Gibboni performs an intoxicating violin concerto by Pulitzer Prize-winning jazz legend Wynton Marsalis. Featuring Jader Bignamini as conductor and Giuseppe Gibboni on violin.
And Then There Were None
Milwaukee Rep
May 26-June 28
Terra Papagalli
Danceworks MKE
May 29-30
