With the return of relative normalcy in our social and cultural lives, we are pleased to learn that many local performing arts groups are reconvening and coming up with ingenious ways to attract and maintain their audiences.
Enter Mid-Atlantic Symphony Orchestra – a jewel for those of us living in SoDel! Delmarva’s professional musicians are now back together for more harmony after almost two years of virtual performance. Like a virtual house tour or Zoom meeting substitute, it’s simply not as precious as listening to and witnessing concerts in person.
The 2021-2022 season of the Mid-Atlantic Symphony Orchestra (MSO) promises to please audiences with a variety of classical concerts: vocal, instrumental and concerto performances are all on their schedule, and all concerts are within a short or reasonable drive to Delmarva locations, such as Cape Henlopen High School, Epworth United Methodist Church in Rehoboth Beach and the Performing Arts Center of Ocean City.
Based in Easton, Maryland, the orchestra makes a “concerted” effort to make their music accessible to all of Delmarva. Season subscriptions are available with priority seating at certain concerts, or single tickets to each performance are available – at reasonable cost compared to big city venues such as Baltimore or Philadelphia. Why leave our community when talent is amongst our talented neighbors?
The 2021-2022 season features several world-renowned soloists. And the season’s menu covers a wide range of genres including sopranos and oboe and cello concertos. Beethoven, Saint-Seans, Vivaldi, Mozart and Brahms are just a few of the diverse, genius composers featured. Soloists include sopranos Nora Amsellom in a special holiday show, and Lea Hawkins in a New Year’s Eve celebration (virtual tickets are offered for this performance). Instrumentalists include cellist Dominique de Williancourt, and YaoGuang Zhai, principal clarinetist of the Baltimore Symphony Orchestra.
Led by music director Julien Benichou, MSO has been pleasing its Delmarva audience for 24 seasons – even offering virtual performances last year during the pandemic. (Videos of last season’s virtual performances and interviews with artists are still available). Benichou, a native of France, brings leadership with a variety of musical conducting experience, including opera, orchestral and choral works.
Nothing can replace live performance of classical music. It’s not just the acoustics. To witness professional musicians in person adds so much more to the experience. So sign up for the remaining concerts of the season, and come out to support the arts and culture so vibrant in Delaware!
