NHSO Returns to Woolsey Hall for First Time Since March 2020; Performances Also Continue at Southern Connecticut State University
Program Highlights Include Grammy-Winning Guest Artists Time for Three and World Premieres by Joel Thompson and Quinn Mason
The New Haven Symphony Orchestra (NHSO) announces the concerts and programs for its 2023-2024 Concert Season, featuring dynamic programs, a world-class lineup of guest artists, and numerous premieres. The season, which will be Alasdair Neale’s final as the NHSO’s music director, stretches the orchestra’s footprint across the entire city of New Haven with mainstage concerts at both Woolsey Hall, located downtown at Yale University, and the Lyman Center for the Performing Arts, located in the West Rock neighborhood of New Haven at Southern CT State University. The season will also include performances in smaller venues around the city, as well as more broadly across southern Connecticut.
Alasdair Neale Finale Season
Music Director Alasdair Neale began with the NHSO at the start of the 2019-2020 season following an extensive international search. His appointment marked a return to the city where he lived, studied and began his professional career more than 30 years ago. Neale’s tenure as music director began with a year-long “listening tour” in New Haven, opening the conversation to what an orchestra for New Haven in the 21st Century could be. His first concert with the NHSO was a free program on the New Haven Green in June 2019 with guest artists from St. Luke’s Steel Band and Tiempo Libre.
Although his first season was cut short by the Covid-19 surge, he was instrumental in facilitating the pivot of artistic and financial resources to create an extensive array of virtual education programs used by tens of thousands of students worldwide during the pandemic. Without access to traditional concert venues, he helped the orchestra program and perform concerts for free at outdoor locations across the city, including parks, storefronts, and the tremendously popular Concerts at Canal Dock Boathouse series. He led the orchestra’s return to live music, including the year-long residency at Southern CT State University in 2022-23, and will now lead its return to Woolsey Hall alongside a season of performances at SCSU, St. Mary’s Church, and other venues in the city and region.
“This coming season invokes a mixture of bittersweet excitement. Bittersweet, of course, that this will be my final year as Music Director, and that the time has flown by so quickly, but also excitement at the prospect of some wonderful musical memories awaiting us all. I’ve assembled a combination of familiar favorites and lesser-known gems which I hope will stimulate your imagination and move your spirit.”
Neale’s grand finale music director performance will take place on Thursday, May 2, 2024 at 7:30 p.m. at Woolsey Hall in a program featuring the world premiere of Quinn Mason’s piano concerto entitled Every New Day and Edward Elgar’s Symphony No. 1, a personal favorite of Neale’s.
Woolsey Hall Homecoming & Lyman Center Performances Continue
On March 5, 2020 the NHSO performed for the last time prior to the Covid-19 pandemic at Woolsey Hall, located on the campus of Yale University in downtown New Haven. The past three years mark NHSO’s longest absence from the hall since it opened in 1901. The NHSO will mark its return to Woolsey Hall with a performance of Saint-Saens’s “Organ Symphony,” featuring organist Nathanial Gumbs playing the world-famous Newberry Organ alongside the orchestra, at the season’s Opening Night concert on Thursday, September 28 at 7:30p.m. The program will also include music by Clyne and Tchaikovsky and feature guest piano soloist Joyce Yang.
Following the success of the NHSO’s one-year residency at Southern CT State University, in 2023-2024 the Symphony will continue to perform at the University’s Lyman Center, presenting six concerts at Lyman in addition to its performances at Woolsey Hall and other venues throughout New Haven, Shelton, and the surrounding region.
Star-Studded Guest Artist Lineup
The NHSO welcomes for the first time Grammy-Award winners Time for Three, as well as an all-star lineup of internationally renowned guest artists including pianist Lara Downes, cellist Jeffrey Zeigler, pianist Joyce Yang, and Broadway star Linedy Genao. The Symphony will welcome back soprano Lisa Williamson, and will shine a spotlight on two of their own roster with special solo appearances by concertmaster David Southornand principal clarinetist David Shifrin.
Tickets & Subscriptions
To purchase tickets, visit NewHavenSymphony.org or call (203) 693-1486 Monday-Friday from 12-5pm.
Patrons who purchase tickets or subscribe to 4 or more concerts get a 20% discount that can be applied to any subsequent ticket purchases on concerts through June 2024. Subscription packages start as low as $48.
Subscriptions of 4+ concerts are on sale now; tickets to individual performances will be available for purchase for members (donors) beginning August 8 and for the general public beginning August 22.
Ticket prices for individual concerts vary by performance and start as low as $15. Young People’s Concerts are free admission although ticket registration is required. Special ticket offers include:
- Kid Tix: Tickets for kids 17 and under are free with the purchase of an adult ticket.
- Blue Star Tickets: Active miliary are free of charge to all performances.
- Blind Audience Members: The NHSO is a recipient of special funding that provides a limited number of complimentary tickets for blind audiences. (Must be reserved in advance.)
- Groups: Groups of 10 or more get 20% off regular ticket prices.
2023-2024 SEASON CONCERT SCHEDULE:
OPENING NIGHT: SAINT-SAËNS & TCHAIKOVSKY
Thursday, September 28 – 7:30pm – Woolsey Hall
Alasdair Neale, music director
Joyce Yang, guest piano soloist
Nathaniel Gumbs, guest organist
ANNA CLYNE Masquerade
PYOTR ILYCH TCHAIKOVSKY Piano Concerto No. 1
CAMILLE SAINT-SAËNS Symphony No. 3 (“Organ” Symphony)
The season begins with a triumphant return to Woolsey Hall, celebrated with Saint-Saëns’s vibrant and joyful “Organ” Symphony and Joyce Yang returns for Tchaikovsky’s bombastic First Piano Concerto.
WITH A TWIST: JAZZ CABARET
Sunday, October 15 – 3pm – Shelton Intermediate School
Step into a world of timeless melodies, electrifying rhythms, and soulful improvisation as musicians from the NHSO present a mesmerizing Jazz Cabaret. The rich traditions of jazz fuse with the vibrant talents of your favorite performers, creating an unforgettable afternoon of music.
TIME FOR THREE
Thursday, October 26 – 7:30pm – Woolsey Hall
Alasdair Neale, music director
Time for Three: Nicolas Kendall, Charles Yang & Ranaan Meyer
AARON COPLAND Suite from Appalachian Spring
KEVIN PUTS Contact
2023 GRAMMY-winning ensemble Time For Three stands at the busy intersection of Americana, modern pop, and classical music, offering a blend of vocal and instrumental performances. This unforgettable concert with the full NHSO will dazzle classical music lovers and entrance first-time Symphony audiences.
BREATHE/BURN
Sunday, November 19 – 3pm – Lyman Center
Alasdair Neale, music director
Jeffrey Zeigler, guest cello soloist
JOEL THOMPSON breathe/burn (PREMIERE/COMMISSION)
FLORENCE PRICE Symphony No.1
MARK ADAMO Cello Concerto
NHSO audience favorite Joel Thompson (A Snowy Day, To Awaken the Sleeper) offers his poignant elegie in memory of Breonna Taylor for solo cello and orchestra. This concert will also include Florence Price’s Symphony No. 1 and Mark Adamo’s Concerto with guest cellist Jeffrey Zeigler.
HOLIDAY EXTRAVAGANZA
Saturday, December 9 – 3pm – Lyman Center
Sunday, December 10 – 3pm – Shelton High School
Chelsea Tipton, II, principal pops conductor
Ring in the Holiday Season with your NHSO! Chelsea Tipton leads a holly-jolly concert of classic carols and new festive favorites, perfect for the entire family!
HANDEL’S MESSIAH
Saturday, December 16 – 7:30pm – First Congregational Church of Madison
Sunday, December 17 – 3pm – Woolsey Hall
Alasdair Neale, music director
Christ Church Choir
Hallelujah! “The Trumpet Shall Sound” once again at Woolsey Hall for Handel’s traditional oratorio with the ethereal voices of Christ Church Choir.
CANDLELIGHT CONCERT: THE FOUR SEASONS
Friday, February 23 – 7:30pm – St. Mary’s Church
Experience a candlelit performance of Vivaldi’s Four Seasons led by concertmaster David Southorn and featuring NHSO strings while immersed in the beautiful surroundings of New Haven’s historic St. Mary’s Church.
MOZART & TCHAIKOVSKY
Sunday, March 17 – 3pm – Woolsey Hall
Alasdair Neale, music director
David Shifrin, NHSO principal clarinet & featured soloist
REENA ESMAIL “Testament” from Vishwas
W.A. MOZART Clarinet Concerto
PYOTR ILYCH TCHAIKOVSKY Symphony No. 6, “Pathetique”
NHSO Principal Clarinetist David Shifrin is featured on Mozart’s lovely Clarinet Concerto, on a program also including Esmail’s imaginative “Testament” and Tchaikovsky’s powerful “Pathetique” Symphony.
YOUNG PEOPLE’S CONCERT (FREE ADMISSION!)
Sunday, March 24 – 1pm – Lyman Center
Chelsea Tipton, II, principal pops conductor
HARLEM RENAISSANCE: ORCHESTRAL VOICES
Saturday, April 13 – 3pm – Lyman Center
Sunday, April 14 – 7:30pm – Shelton Intermediate School
Chelsea Tipton, II, principal pops conductor
Lisa Willamson, soprano
DUKE ELLINGTON Black, Brown & Beige • Solitude
MARGARET BONDS Spirituals
WILLIAM GRANT STILL Afro American Symphony
JAMES P. JOHNSON Drums • Yamekraw
CARLOS SIMON Amen
This high-energy program celebrates the orchestral music written by Black composers and performers at the heart of the Harlem Renaissance.
EVERY NEW DAY
Thursday, May 2 – 7:30pm – Woolsey Hall
Alasdair Neale, music director
Lara Downes, guest piano soloist
QUINN MASON Every New Day (WORLD PREMIERE/COMMISSION)
EDWARD ELGAR Symphony No. 1
In his grand finale concert as music director, Alasdair Neale pairs two pieces emblematic of his tenure with the NHSO: Quinn Mason’s brand-new piano concerto and a cherished classic by British composer Edward Elgar.
GALA CELEBRATION
Sunday, May 19 – The WoodWinds (Branford, CT)
Celebrate 129 years of artistry, education, history, and innovation with your NHSO! More information about this brunch fundraiser for music performance and education will be shared in coming weeks.
LATINA LEADING LADIES OF BROADWAY
Saturday, June 1 – 3pm – Lyman Center
Sunday, June 2 – 3pm – Shelton High School
Chelsea Tipton, II, principal pops conductor
Linedy Genao, featured vocalist
Featuring Hamden-raised Broadway star Linedy Genao, this sizzling program will showcase music from Gloria Estefan’s musical, On Your Feet!, Evita, Bad Cinderella, West Side Story, and more!
The New Haven Symphony Orchestra is sponsored by Avangrid Lighting Up the Arts, The Community Foundation for Greater New Haven, Connecticut Department of Economic and Community Development: Office of the Arts, CT Humanities, Frontier, National Endowment for the Arts, NewAlliance Foundation, New Haven Register, Southern Connecticut State University, Town Fair Tire, Valley Community Foundation, Yale New Haven Hospital, and generous members of its community.
