2022-2023 BSO Annual Report
Celebrate
An Ovation-Worthy Opening Night
When the BSO’s 142nd season opened in September 2022, Symphony Hall was filled to capacity as audiences from across Boston and beyond eagerly gathered to hear renowned pianist, educator, and philanthropist Lang Lang (pictured right). Under the direction of Andris Nelsons, Lang Lang's exceptional talent, expressiveness, and charisma marked the beginning of an unforgettable season, especially when he delivered a captivating rendition of Camille Saint-Saëns’ Piano Concerto No. 2, a BSO crowd favorite. After bringing the entire audience to their feet, he offered an encore performance of Feed the Birds from "Mary Poppins."
Boston Pops Fireworks Spectacular
The Boston Pops Fireworks Spectacular is the BSO's annual love letter to the city of Boston, and the 2023 "letter" was captivating. One of the most iconic civic events in the nation and certainly the most prominent event honoring the rich history of Boston, the July 4th celebration brought concertgoers again to the Hatch Memorial Shell. Under the direction of Julian and Eunice Cohen Boston Pops Conductor Keith Lockhart, the event sparkled with performances from R&B group En Vogue, country duo LOCASH, Broadway’s Mandy Gonzalez, Broadway’s Ragtime, the US Army Field Band and Soldiers' Chorus, the Tanglewood Festival Chorus, and the Pops. More than one million attendees and viewers tuned in to hear the Pops perform the best music of the past and present.
Boston Pops Fireworks Spectacular
The Boston Pops Fireworks Spectacular is the BSO's annual love letter to the city of Boston, and the 2023 "letter" was captivating. One of the most iconic civic events in the nation and certainly the most prominent event honoring the rich history of Boston, the July 4th celebration brought concertgoers again to the Hatch Memorial Shell. Under the direction of Julian and Eunice Cohen Boston Pops Conductor Keith Lockhart, the event sparkled with performances from R&B group En Vogue, country duo LOCASH, Broadway’s Mandy Gonzalez, Broadway’s Ragtime, the US Army Field Band and Soldiers' Chorus, the Tanglewood Festival Chorus, and the Pops. More than one million attendees and viewers tuned in to hear the Pops perform the best music of the past and present.
Humanity in Harmony
The BSO is committed to amplifying new and underrepresented voices, onstage and off. Donor support enables us to attract world-class performers, commission new works, and champion artists from a wide range of backgrounds, lived experiences, industries, and more.
Among the many Black, Indigenous, and People of Color (BIPOC) artists who made BSO debuts in 2022-2023 were clarinetist Anthony McGill, conductors André Raphel and Andrés Orozco-Estrada, cellist Sheku Kanneh-Mason, pianist Awadagin Pratt, soprano Golda Schultz, and jazz vocalist Barbara Walker. The season also prominently featured the work of exceptional women composers—including Ella Milch-Sheriff, Unsuk Chin, Julia Wolfe, Jessie Montgomery, and Julia Adolphe—and pieces by underrepresented living composers, namely Iman Habibi, Anthony Davis, Carlos Simon, and Wynton Marsalis.
"This season, we welcomed an extraordinary spectrum of composers and artists to share their unique musical perspectives with the orchestra and our audiences.”
- Andris Nelsons, Ray and Maria Stata Music Director
Visionary Support for the Future of Orchestral Music
This season marked the launch of the Susan W. and Stephen D. Paine BSO Resident Fellowship Program for early-career musicians from historically underrepresented backgrounds in American orchestras. Inaugural fellows Leonardo Vásquez Chacón (viola) and Andres Vela (double bass) joined the orchestra throughout the season, including on international tours to Europe and Japan. The two also took part in educational and community outreach experiences, appeared in chamber music performances, and received coaching and mentorship from seasoned artists. “I’ve been involved in music in some ways my whole life, but this is like nothing I have ever done before,” said Vásquez Chacón, who comes from Peru. “I can’t imagine a better musical experience.”
Vela, a native of South Texas, agreed with this sentiment and underscored the importance of diverse representation for the future of orchestral music. “I think it’s important for [other Hispanic Americans] to see people like myself playing in an orchestra like this,” he said. “It makes them think this could also be them.”
The fellowship is the result of dedicated efforts by Bob and Happy Doran and Barbara and Amos Hostetter to raise more than $5 million from a small group of donors in honor of former Board Chair Susan W. Paine and her late husband Stephen. “The appointment of these gifted musicians as inaugural BSO Resident Fellows is an important step in the fulfillment of the orchestra’s ongoing commitment to a more diverse and inclusive orchestra community,” said Paine. “I am deeply grateful to the donors whose philanthropy has made the idea of the Fellowship Program into a reality.” BSO Music Director Andris Nelsons reflected on the significance of this new fellowship for the organization: “By creating more opportunities for musicians whose backgrounds reflect the beautiful diversity of our city and country and valuing their contributions to our world of classical music, we enrich the lives of everyone associated with the Boston Symphony Orchestra.”
If you enjoyed this story, you may enjoy reading our interview with fellow Leonardo Vásquez Chacón.
Merrier and Brighter Than Ever
For many audience members, the traditions at Symphony Hall have been part of their family’s holiday celebrations for generations, and it’s thanks to the unwavering support from our donors that we’ve been able to continue keep the festive season aglow for nearly 50 years with a delightful medley of carols, holiday tales, and the usual visit from Santa Claus. In addition to Symphony Hall staples like The Twelve Days of Christmas and Sleigh Ride, the 2022 season added holiday musical traditions from across the globe. Mexican-American composer Arturo Rodriguez’s Noche de Posadas was accompanied by art depicting the Mexican Nativity tradition by the late author and illustrator Tomie dePaola. A pair of Ukrainian carols drawn from traditional folk chants—including the familiar Carol of the Bells—was selected as a poignant reminder of the ongoing war in Ukraine. “While the production of the concerts continues to evolve and reflect current events, the collaboration and dedication from everyone remains the same,” said Dennis Alves, Director of Artistic Planning for the Boston Pops, who has been with the Pops for more than 30 years. “Our donors are so committed and generous, and they directly impact our ability to bring music to the public.”
Merrier and Brighter Than Ever
For many audience members, the traditions at Symphony Hall have been part of their family’s holiday celebrations for generations, and it’s thanks to the unwavering support from our donors that we’ve been able to continue keep the festive season aglow for nearly 50 years with a delightful medley of carols, holiday tales, and the usual visit from Santa Claus. In addition to Symphony Hall staples like The Twelve Days of Christmas and Sleigh Ride, the 2022 season added holiday musical traditions from across the globe. Mexican-American composer Arturo Rodriguez’s Noche de Posadas was accompanied by art depicting the Mexican Nativity tradition by the late author and illustrator Tomie dePaola. A pair of Ukrainian carols drawn from traditional folk chants—including the familiar Carol of the Bells—was selected as a poignant reminder of the ongoing war in Ukraine. “While the production of the concerts continues to evolve and reflect current events, the collaboration and dedication from everyone remains the same,” said Dennis Alves, Director of Artistic Planning for the Boston Pops, who has been with the Pops for more than 30 years. “Our donors are so committed and generous, and they directly impact our ability to bring music to the public.”
