Pianist Leif Ove Andsnes cancels April 1 concert

Leif Ove Andsnes

Celebrity Series of Boston President and Executive Director Martha H. Jones announced today that pianist Leif Ove Andsnes has cancelled his Jordan Hall performance, scheduled for April 1, due to illness. The Celebrity Series and Mr. Andsnes were unable to find a suitable date to reschedule the performance.

Patrons who purchased tickets via Celebrity Series of Boston will be contacted as to their options. All other patrons are requested to contact their place of purchase for refunds.

Press release

Matthew Polenzani and Julius Drake at WGBH

Here are a couple of candid shots from tenor Matthew Polenzani and his accompanist Julius Drake's taping at WGBH radio last night. Their performance will air tonight (Wednesday) on 99.5 and will feature an interview with WGBH host Cathy Fuller (above, top, center) and the duo perform at Jordan Hall on Thursday evening at 8pm.

Globe reviews Emerson Quartet with Sir James Galway

Matthew Guerrieri's review of Friday evening's concert by the Emerson String Quartet and Sir James Galway (brought to you by your friendly neighborhood Celebrity Series) appeared in today's Boston Globe. Here is a bit of Mr. Geurrieri's take:

"Most concerts are curated with the aim of an e-pluribus-unum revelation of unexpected affinities. The Emerson String Quartet and Sir James Galway flipped the pattern for their star-summit Celebrity Series program on Friday; one could surmise logical connections, but the experience was more high-minded variety show — swinging from light to dark, from cheer to tragedy and back again."

Read all of Galway's flute and Emerson's strings combine for quite a show.

David Weininger reviews Evgeny Kissin's recital for Boston Globe

This review is online now but should appear in tomorrow's print edition:

"The music world is marking the bicentennial of the birth of Franz Liszt — composer, virtuoso, and all-around diabolical genius. The latest event in the ongoing celebration came on Wednesday, when Russian pianist Evgeny Kissin brought an all-Liszt recital to a packed Symphony Hall."

Read all of Evgeny Kissin plays up to the many challenges of Liszt.

Lloyd Schwartz reviews Takacs Quartet and Dmitri Hvorostovsky

Dmitri Hvorostovsky

Boston Phoenix classical music critic Lloyd Schwartz puts two recent Celebrity Series performances, the Takacs Quartet's February 18 concert and baritone Dmitri Hvorostovsky's February 27 recital, under his usual thoughtful microscope in today's column:

Lloyd Schwartz's March 3 column

Aspen Santa Fe Ballet New York Times and Denver Post reviews

Gia Kourlas' reviewed Aspen Santa Fe Ballet for today's New York Times. The program was the same as the ensemble's Celebrity Series of Boston programs coming to the Tsai Performance Center March 4 & 5:

Read Slapped, Stamped and Delivered

The troupe's Denver performance was also reviewed in the Denver Post two days ago: Originality drives Aspen Santa Fe Ballet.

Celebrity Series of Boston Announces New Executive Director

For Immediate Release

Contact:
Jack Wright, (617) 598-3212, jw@celebrityseries.org
Stephanie Janes, (617) 598-3240, sj@celebrityseries.org

 

CELEBRITY SERIES OF BOSTON
ANNOUNCES APPOINTMENT OF
GARY DUNNING
AS NEW PRESIDENT AND EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

(Boston)  Celebrity Series of Boston, New England’s leading performing arts presenter, is pleased to announce the appointment of Gary Dunning as President and Executive Director. Mr. Dunning has been a senior executive in the performing arts for over 30 years, having served as executive director of the Houston Ballet, American Ballet Theatre, and most recently the Big Apple Circus, Ltd. in New York City. Mr. Dunning’s appointment is effective July 1, 2011.

Joshua Boger, Chair of the search committee and Chair of the Board of Directors of the Celebrity Series, expressed his enthusiasm for Mr. Dunning’s selection, “On behalf of the Board of Directors, the search committee and staff I am delighted to welcome Gary as the next President and Executive Director of the Celebrity Series of Boston. He brings a truly impressive experience to the position, having successfully led several nationally prominent arts institutions over his career. He will be a stellar addition to a tradition of great Celebrity Series leadership and is an outstanding choice to lead the Series into its next era.”

“Gary will become only the fourth leader of the Celebrity Series over its 72-year history and the first appointed from outside the organization,” said retiring Series President, Martha H. Jones. “He is an excellent choice and his background in management, marketing, fundraising and education will serve him well as he takes the Celebrity Series to new heights. I was involved in the search process and am quite pleased to endorse Gary’s appointment.”

“It is an honor and privilege to join Celebrity Series and follow in the footsteps of Marty Jones,” said Dunning. “The organization has stood for excellence and diversity in celebrating the best in the performing arts. I look forward to working with my colleagues at Celebrity Series and throughout the Boston arts community to build a stronger organization and vibrant arts scene.”

Gary Dunning began his career as Assistant Company Manager at American Ballet Theatre (ABT) in 1978. He rose to Company Manager and General Manager at ABT before departing in 1986 to become Executive Director of the Houston Ballet. Dunning remained with the Houston Ballet until 1992, when he was recruited to return to ABT as Executive Director, where he launched that organization’s remarkable turnaround. In 1996, Dunning left ABT to assume the Executive Director position at Big Apple Circus, Ltd., a position he has held until this appointment. Mr. Dunning is a graduate of Princeton University and holds a masters degree from the London School of Economics.

During his 14-year tenure at Big Apple Circus, Mr. Dunning doubled the non-profit arts institution’s annual fund drive in the first four years and increased earned revenues by 18% per year for the first five years. He also completed a $6 million capital plan for a new rehearsal and production facility and developed and successfully executed a transition plan from the founding artistic director to new artistic leadership. The Big Apple Circus’ community outreach and education programs, which serve children and families across the nation in pediatric and nursing care facilities, community centers, schools and at Big Apple Circus performances, have undergone a significant expansion under Mr. Dunning’s leadership.

Celebrity Series of Boston will announce its 2011-2012 season, the first under the leadership of Mr. Dunning, in early April.

ABOUT CELEBRITY SERIES OF BOSTON
The Celebrity Series of Boston is New England’s leading presenter of music, dance and the performing arts from around the world. Now in its 72nd season, the Celebrity Series brings performances by instrumental and vocal soloists, orchestras and chamber ensembles, dance companies, jazz, folk and ethnic artists and ensembles to Boston’s major concert halls, reaching an audience of some 100,000 each year. Through the Arts, Education and Community Program, the Celebrity Series reaches thousands of youngsters annually with opportunities to experience and participate in the performing arts through concerts, workshops, and the award-winning AileyCamp Boston, an intensive six-week summer dance program for Boston middle school students. For more information on Celebrity Series of Boston, call (617) 482-2595 or visit us online at www.celebrityseries.org.

The Celebrity Series receives generous support from The Little Family Foundation, Tufts Health Plan, Foley & Lardner LLP, Charlesbank Capital Partners, Comcast, Parametric Technology Corporation, Massachusetts Cultural Council, New England Foundation for the Arts, and D.L. Saunders Companies and The Boston Park Plaza Hotel, LLC.

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