Søndergård Conducts Mahler Symphony No. 1
Fri Mar 7 — Sat Mar 8, 2025
Orchestra Hall
Dorothy Howell was 21 when her symphonic poem, Lamia, was first performed at the Proms. Just over 100 years later, it gets a long-awaited first performance by the Minnesota Orchestra. While Keats inspired Howell, Benjamin Britten turned to the poetry of Rimbaud for Les illuminations. American soprano Julia Bullock finds meaning and relevance in every word she sings in Britten’s captivating song cycle. To conclude, Thomas Søndergård leads a journey through the remarkable sound world of Gustav Mahler’s powerful First Symphony.
A Few Things to Know
- In 2024, Julia Bullock was awarded a Grammy in the category of Best Classical Solo Vocal Album for her Nonesuch Records album, Walking in the Dark. She also recently made her Metropolitan Opera debut in John Adams’ and Peter Sellars’ oratorio El Niño.
- Under the direction of its fourth music director Dimitri Mitropoulos, the Minnesota Orchestra—known at the time as the Minneapolis Symphony Orchestra—was the first orchestra ever to record Mahler’s First Symphony in 1940.
- Dorothy Howell burst onto the music scene in 1919 with Lamia, her first published composition, impressing conductors and musicians across Europe and earning her the accolade of the “English Richard Strauss.” Sadly, critics and publishers in the classical music world were not so welcoming to female composers, and she eventually abandoned her work. More than a century later, this performance marks the Minnesota Orchestra’s first performance of Howell’s music.
- Plan your visit to Orchestra Hall
Artists
Minnesota Orchestra
Thomas Søndergård
conductor
Julia Bullock
soprano
The Grammy Award-winning Minnesota Orchestra, now in its second century, ranks among America’s top symphonic ensembles, with a distinguished history of acclaimed performances in its home state and around the world; award-winning recordings, broadcasts and educational engagement programs; and a commitment to intentionally build concert programs to feature more works by composers of color, exploring music both contemporary and historic. In September 2024, Danish conductor Thomas Søndergård began his second season as music director.
Danish conductor Thomas Søndergård, who in September 2024 began his second season as music director of the Minnesota Orchestra, is a highly regarded conductor in both the orchestral and opera spheres. He has earned a reputation for incisive interpretations of works by composers from his native Denmark, a great versatility in a broad range of standard and modern repertoire, and a collaborative approach with the musicians he leads. His 2024-25 season in Minnesota began with two weeks of season opening concerts featuring Yunchan Lim and Leila Josefowicz. Other season highlights include performances of Mozart’s Requiem and Puccini’s Turandot, a January festival of music from Nordic countries and the return of the Minnesota Orchestra Composer Institute.
Grammy-winning American classical singer Julia Bullock combines versatile artistry with a probing intellect and commanding stage presence. As well as headlining productions and concerts at preeminent arts institutions around the world, she has held positions as featured artist of London’s Philharmonia Orchestra and artist in residence of New York’s Metropolitan Museum of Art, London’s Guildhall School of Music and Drama and the San Francisco Symphony. A prominent voice of social consciousness and activism, she was named a 2021 Artist of the Year and “agent of change” by Musical America.
Plan your visit
- Pre-concert activities
- Valet Parking
- Pre-order Beverages
- Directions & Parking
- Helpful Tips
Half Off Half Hour
50% off wine, beer, spirits and non-alcoholic beverages.
- For 7pm concerts: 5:30-6pm
- For 8pm concerts: 6:30-7pm
- For 11am concerts: 9:30-10am
- For 2pm concerts: 12:30-1pm
YPSCA Competition 2025 Winner and Finalists
When: Fri Mar 7, Sat Mar 8 | 45 Minutes Prior
Where: Target Atrium
Witness the talents of some of today's most talented young musicians as the YPSCA Competition 2025 Winner and Finalists perform the pre-concert program entertainment.
Know Before You Go
An engaging performance awaits, and the fun doesn’t stop there. Make this visit your own with food and activity options. Browse these helpful tips, and when your concert date arrives, all you have to do is sit back and enjoy.
Directions & Parking
All the information you need to know for getting to and from Orchestra Hall. Parking is just steps away from Orchestra Hall in the city-owned and skyway-connected 11th and Marquette Ramp.
Download the MinnOrch App
With our mobile app, you can pre-order intermission drinks, scan your ticket for entry and more. You'll also get exclusive deals just for app users!
Accessibility Services
- Armless & Bariatric Chairs
- Assistive Listening Devices
- Large-Print Programs
- Noise-Cancelling Headphones
- Service Animals
- Wheelchair & Accessible Seating
Additional services are available upon request.
Sponsored by
The 2024-2025 Classical Season is presented by Ameriprise Financial.
