Michael Tilson Thomas and the San Francisco Symphony celebrated the start of their 25th season together on Wednesday, September 4, with an Opening Night Gala performance in Davies Symphony Hall.
The Opening Night Gala honored Michael Tilson Thomas, celebrating the launch of his final season as Music Director of the SFS, and his husband Joshua Robison.
The concert program included Glinka’s Overture to Ruslan and Ludmila, Britten’s Young Person’s Guide to the Orchestra, and the majestic Finale from Beethoven’s Symphony No. 9: Ode, “To Joy” with soprano Susanna Phillips, mezzo-soprano Jennifer Johnson Cano, tenor Jonathan Tetelman, bass-baritone Ryan McKinny, and the San Francisco Symphony Chorus under the direction of Ragnar Bohlin.
Ryan McKinny joined the SF Symphony and Chorus in performances of Copland’s “The Dodger” and “Golden Willow Tree” from Old American Songs, and the SFS Chorus was featured in Gordon Getty’s Shenandoah. Multimedia elements, including lighting design by Luke Kritzeck and two short videos dedicated to MTT, were incorporated throughout the concert.
The evening ended on a poignant note with a performance of “San Francisco” by Jennifer Morrison.
She and the rest of the cast from Beach Blanket Babylon, will be truly missed when the show closes this New Year’s Eve.