A Symphonic Journey
with the Minnesota OrchestraFri Feb 18 — Sun Feb 20, 2022
Orchestra Hall
Travel writer and television host Rick Steves is coming to Orchestra Hall and is giving you a front-row seat to some of the most iconic sights and sounds in Europe. From Italy, England, Austria, Norway and beyond, Steves pairs personal photos and breathtaking video with beloved classical music selections by Wagner, Smetana, Verdi, Elgar, Grieg, Saint-Saëns and Beethoven on this historical and musical tour of Europe.
A Few Things to Know
- Steves' first self-published his first book with a disclaimer stating: “Anyone caught reprinting any material herein for any purpose whatsoever will be thanked profusely.”
- Steves’ dad was a piano technician and high school band teacher.
- We regret to share that due to a family emergency, Sarah Hicks is unable to conduct this week’s performances. Instead, we are pleased to welcome on short notice conductor Lee Mills.
Artists
The Grammy Award-winning Minnesota Orchestra, led by Danish conductor Thomas Søndergård—who is serving as music director designate during the 2022-23 season—is recognized for distinguished performances around the world, award-winning recordings and broadcasts, educational engagement programs, and commitment to building the orchestral repertoire of the future. Founded in 1903, the Orchestra has an extensive history of touring throughout Minnesota, nationally and abroad, including high-profile visits in recent years to Cuba, Europe and South Africa. Recording projects undertaken in the past two decades include complete cycles of symphonies by Beethoven, Sibelius and Mahler, all recorded under Osmo Vänskä, who is now the Orchestra’s conductor laureate.
Lee Mills, the associate conductor of the Seattle Symphony and a four-time winner of the Solti Foundation U.S. Career Assistance Award, is internationally recognized as a passionate, multifaceted and energetic conductor. Throughout the global pandemic, he has remained busy conducting programs with the Seattle Symphony on its live-streaming platform, Seattle Symphony Live. He also led the Seattle Symphony in a special presentation for the NFL which was broadcast nationally to over 30 million television viewers. In November 2021, he was hailed in The Seattle Times as the “hero of the hour” when he stepped in on very short notice to replace ailing Thomas Dausgaard on a program featuring Amy Beach’s Gaelic Symphony and a world premiere of a double harp concerto by renowned contemporary composer Hannah Lash.
Your Concert Experience
Join us for Q&A’s, hosted discussions, exhibits and more. All free with your concert ticket!
Pre- and Post-Concert Activities Sponsored By
Accessibility Services
- Assistive Listening Devices
- Large Print Programs
- Service Animals
- Wheelchair & Accessible Seating
Additional services are available upon request.