Singer

Simon Keenlyside is one of the world’s most sought-after and charismatic singers, noted for his versatility and highly charged performances on stage. He joins music director Franz Welser-Möst for an evening of Mahler, featuring the moody, enigmatic Seventh Symphony, sometimes called Song of the Night.

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Mahler's Song of the Night

Severance Music Center

Join us for a spectacular evening to celebrate the new season! Esa-Pekka Salonen leads the San Francisco Symphony in an exhilarating Opening Night Gala program that interweaves music and technology in a tapestry of heightened emotional journeys and artistic exploration. Bookending the love-sick verses of Gustav Mahler’s Songs of a Wayfarer, here brought to life by baritone Simon Keenlyside, are Richard Strauss’s picaresque Don Juan and Maurice Ravel’s hypnotic Boléro—all augmented by cutting-edge lighting and video projections created by 59 Productions. And in Anders Hillborg’s Rap Notes, live rappers square off against artificial intelligence in a captivating collision of human creativity and technological prowess.

Opening Night Gala

Davies Symphony Hall

Immerse yourself in the profound world of Gustav Mahler with "Mahler’s Journey" at the Walt Disney Concert Hall, presented by the Los Angeles Philharmonic under the baton of the esteemed Gustavo Dudamel. This captivating series of performances is a highlight of the Mahler Grooves Festival, taking place from February 20 to February 23, 2025.

The festival kicks off with an opening weekend that promises an unforgettable exploration of Mahler's musical genius. Dudamel, a conductor whose career has been significantly marked by his interpretations of Mahler, curates a program that spans the emotional and compositional breadth of the composer's life. The journey begins with "Blumine," a lyrical piece originally part of Mahler's Symphony No. 1, showcasing a rapturous trumpet and melancholy oboe. This piece, once removed from the symphony and later rediscovered, sets the stage for a night of introspection and beauty.

The program also features the Adagio from Symphony No. 10, a work that Mahler left unfinished, written during a time of personal crisis. This piece, with its rich harmonic language, bridges the Romantic era and the 20th century, offering a glimpse into Mahler's inner turmoil and genius.

Completing the evening is a selection from "Des Knaben Wunderhorn" (The Boy’s Magic Horn), a collection of German poems set to music by Mahler. These pieces, performed with the help of baritone Simon Keenlyside, delve into themes of love, loss, and the supernatural, providing a comprehensive look at Mahler's influence on the Romantic movement.

The Los Angeles Philharmonic, under Dudamel's direction, promises to bring these compositions to life, offering audiences a chance to experience Mahler's journey through music. Performances are scheduled for February 20, 21, 22 at 8:00 PM, and a matinee on February 23 at 2:00 PM.

Enhance your experience with "Drinks in the Garden" starting at 6:30 PM before each performance. Enjoy a complimentary drink and the serene ambiance of the Walt Disney Concert Hall's rooftop garden, weather permitting.

Join us for "Mahler’s Journey" and be part of a musical exploration that transcends time, presented by the LA Phil at the Walt Disney Concert Hall. This event is a must-attend for classical music enthusiasts and those looking to immerse themselves in the emotional depth and complexity of Mahler's works.

Mahler’s Journey

Walt Disney Concert Hall

The plebeians plan to overthrow the aristos; a former pirate becomes Doge; a little girl disappears; poison is poured into a glass of drinking water.

Simon Keenlyside

Baritone

Events

Upcoming events

20 - 23 Feb, 2025

Mahler’s Journey · Los Angeles Philharmonic

Jun 5 - Jul 11, 2025

Simon Boccanegra · Grange Park Opera

Past events

12 - 13 Oct, 2023

Mahler's Song of the Night · The Cleveland Orchestra

Sep 22, 2023

Opening Night Gala · San Francisco Symphony

Future and recently performed repertoire

Simon Boccanegra in Simon Boccanegra by Verdi

Grange Park Opera

About

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