Boston Pops 2023 Season Programs

The Boston Pops performs Ragtime: The Symphonic Concert, prepared by the original creators Terrence McNally, Lynn Ahrens, and Stephen Flaherty especially for the Pops. Based on the 1975 novel by E.L. Doctorow, Ragtime weaves together the stories of three intersecting groups in the U.S. in the early 20th century: Eastern European immigrants, the African American community in Harlem, and an upper-class white family. Together, they confront history’s timeless tensions of wealth and poverty, freedom and prejudice, hope and despair.

Keith Lockhart, conductor
Jason Danieley, Stage Director
Wendall Harrington, projection designer
Alton Fitzgerald White (Coalhouse Walker Jr.)
Elizabeth Stanley (Mother)
John Cariani (Tateh)
Nikki Renée Daniels (Sarah)
David Harris (Father)
A.J. Shively (Mother’s Younger Brother)
Klea Blackhurst (Emma Goldman)
Ragtime Ensemble

The Pops continues its popular Roots of Jazz series with an exhilarating show focusing on some of the artists who created a brilliantly original American music. Join trumpet virtuoso and master showman Byron Stripling and conductor Keith Lockhart on a journey from the New Orleans roots of Louis Armstrong to the frenetic bebop of Dizzy Gillespie to the cool stylings of Miles Davis. Come hear timeless music like New Orleans staple When the Saints Go Marching In, tunes from “Charleston” composer and jazz pioneer James P. Johnson, and the immortal works of jazz royalty Duke Ellington as we tell an extraordinary story you won’t want to miss!

Keith Lockhart, conductor
Byron Stripling, trumpet
Featuring Edmar Colón, saxophone

Be our guest as an all-star quartet of Broadway, television and animated film icons sing the music of every Disney Princess in an unforgettable celebration of songs, animation, and stories, alongside their magical Music Director and enchanting Prince. Relive your VHS tape glory days, dress up in your favorite royal attire, and share the joy with your loved ones at Disney Princess – The Concert.

This performance is perfect for audience members aged five and older!

*This production features Broadway performers appearing as themselves. Costumed Disney characters do not appear at this event.

Keith Lockhart, conductor
Christy Altomare, vocalist
Susan Egan, vocalist
Lissa deGuzman, vocalist
Syndee Winters, vocalist
Adam J. Levy, vocalist
Benjamin Rauhala, music director

After a quick trip back to Tatooine, Luke Skywalker, Leia Organa, and Han Solo are reunited and join up with the amassing rebel fleet to take down the evil Empire once and for all. But the Empire is plotting too. Emperor Palpatine commands his troops aboard his newly constructed Death Star stationed above the forest moon of Endor, where the rebels - and some unlikely furry friends - make their stand against the Empire. While Luke Skywalker confronts Darth Vader on the Death Star once more, Han leads a team to take out a shield protecting the battle station so that the rebel fleet can destroy it once more and finally put an end to the war...

© 1983 & TM Lucasfilm Ltd. Presentation licensed by Disney Concerts in association with 20th Century Fox Film Corp, Lucasfilm and Warner/Chappell Music. © All rights reserved.

Two of today’s most celebrated artists—Jean-Yves Thibaudet and Michael Feinstein—join forces for the first time in Two Pianos: Who Could Ask for Anything More?, an innovative program celebrating the music of George Gershwin and his peers. Be among the first to hear brand-new arrangements that focus this enduring music through a fresh lens, reminding us all that some things will never go out of style. Don’t miss this showcase of the Great American Songbook with America’s Orchestra!

Keith Lockhart, conductor
Michael Feinstein, piano
Jean-Yves Thibaudet, piano

Wardrobe by Ron Tomson, Los Angeles’

Emmanuel Fratianni, conductor
Wellesley High School Keynote Singers
 Dr. Kevin J. McDonald, Choral Director
Special Guests Marty O'Donnell & Jason Hayes

Feel the adrenaline with this immersive concert experience featuring music from the most iconic video games of all time, soundtracked by the amazing Boston Pops. The award-winning Video Games Live brings the energy and excitement of a rock concert mixed with the interactivity, stunning visuals, and fun that only video games can provide. The evening will include a meet-and-greet with top game composers, designers, and industry talent. We also encourage our patrons to arrive dressed in their finest costumes of their favorite video games!

VIDEO GAMES LIVE V.I.P. EXPERIENCE PACKAGE!

If you're looking for something REALLY special, we are currently offering a limited supply of Ultimate Gamer V.I.P. Experience Packages as a separate add-on to your show ticket! The V.I.P. Experience includes:

• A Video Games Live V.I.P. laminated tour pass.
• Pre-show production tour, Q&A and special personal meet & greet with VGL creator and game composer Tommy Tallarico along with special guests Marty O'Donnell & Jason Hayes.
• Three signed 1st page conductor sheet music scores by Marty O'Donnell (Halo), Jason Hayes (World of Warcraft) and Advent Rising (Tommy Tallarico, Emmanuel Fratianni and original soloist Laurie Robinson).
• Digital download cards for 3 of our top selling albums - Video Games Live: LEVEL 3, Video Games Live: LEVEL 5 and Video Games Live: LEVEL 6.
• Video Games Live Inventory Pack which includes a mouse pad, 1st show individually numbered Hollywood Bowl Commemorative Ticket, VGL guitar pick, 3D bookmark.

IMPORTANT INFO! PLEASE READ BEFORE PURCHASING VIP PACKAGE

If you have not yet purchased a seat, click the ‘Buy Tickets’ button below, and then select the ‘VIP Package’ option when reserving your seat. If you have already purchased a seat, and you wish to add the VIP Package, please contact BSO ticketing at 888-266-1200 to complete the upgrade.

After purchasing the V.I.P. package you will receive a confirmation e-mail immediately. Following that, on the week of the performance you'll receive an e-mail with instructions on what time to be at the venue, where to go to receive your package and start your experience! If you do not receive an e-mail within 24 hours of the performance PLEASE CONTACT US IMMEDIATELY at vip@videogameslive.com. If for any reason a performance is cancelled the full amount of the V.I.P. package will be REFUNDED 100% (minus the service fee). If you have any questions regarding the V.I.P. Experience Package please contact vip@videogameslive.com.

Boston’s own Guster partners with the Pops for an enticing performance of their biggest hits. From their inception 32 years ago in a dorm room at Tufts University, Guster has brought their unique vision and sound to the indie-rock scene. After three decades of creating enduring, quirky pop-rock songs like “Overexcited,” “Amsterdam,” “Satellite,” and “Do You Love Me,” their thoughtful, searching tracks and the responsive virtuosity of the Pops makes for the most compelling of collaborations. And a bonus: for one night only you can hear some of Boston’s most talented young musicians in the culmination of the Fidelity Investments Young Artists Competition!

Guster
 Adam Gardner
 Ryan Miller
 Luke Reynolds
 Brian Rosenworcel
David Butler, auxiliary keys and percussionist
Keith Lockhart, conductor

2023 Fidelity Investments Young Artists Competition Winners:

Polonaise de Concert No. 1, Op. 4 (Henryk Wieniawski) – Aika Oki, violin

“Song for You” (Leon Russell—arr. Mathes) – Simona Karadoneva, vocalist

Cello Concerto No. 1 in E-flat major, Op. 107, mvt. I (Dmitri Shostakovich) – Brian Lee, cello

“This is Not Over Yet” from Parade (Jason Robert Brown) – Jack Haroutunian, vocalist

Rhapsody on a Theme by Paganini (Sergei Rachmaninoff) – William Ge, piano

Boston’s own Guster partners with the Pops for an enticing performance of their biggest hits. From their inception 32 years ago in a dorm room at Tufts University, Guster has brought their unique vision and sound to the indie-rock scene. After three decades of creating enduring, quirky pop-rock songs like “Overexcited,” “Amsterdam,” “Satellite,” and “Do You Love Me,” their thoughtful, searching tracks and the responsive virtuosity of the Pops makes for the most compelling of collaborations.

Guster
Adam Gardner
Ryan Miller
Luke Reynolds
Brian Rosenworcel
David Butler, auxiliary keys and percussionist
Keith Lockhart, conductor

Usually you'll find Rick Steves touring the great destinations of Europe for his acclaimed PBS television series. Now you can join him on a different journey: A Symphonic Journey. In this unique concert, Rick Steves teams up with the Boston Pops for a performance that combines Europe's most stirring Romantic-era anthems with beautiful high-definition cinematography and Rick's insights into European history. Please join us for a 6:30pm pre-concert talk with Rick Steves.

Get on your feet and sing along with joy! This annual celebration with the Boston Pops and Boston Pops Gospel Choir features vocalist Smokie Norful, known for his 2002 album I Need You Now and 2004 release Nothing Without You, which won him a Grammy Award for Best Contemporary Soul Gospel Album. Along with his role as founding Senior Pastor of Victory Cathedral Worship Center in Illinois, Norful has released five #1 Billboard Albums and been named Billboard’s “Gospel Artist of the Year” several times. This annual event features many others of Boston’s best and brightest Gospel vocal talents.

Charles Floyd, conductor
Smokie Norful, special guest
Boston Pops Gospel Choir