THE SEATTLE SYMPHONY KICKS OFF 2022/2023 SEASON WITH OPENING WEEKEND CELEBRATIONS
ANNUAL OPENING NIGHT GALA TO BE HOSTED AT BENAROYA HALL ON FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 16
OPENING NIGHT CONCERT & AFTER PARTY WITH SEATTLE SYMPHONY MUSICIANS ON SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 17
Seattle, WA — The Seattle Symphony invites the community to Benaroya Hall for a weekend of musical celebration to kick off the 2022/2023 season. This year, patrons looking to further their season opening experience will have two options with the Opening Night Gala on September 16, 2022, and the Opening Night Concert followed by an after party on September 17, 2022. The Opening Night Gala fundraising event opens the weekend, this year honoring Seattle philanthropists Joan Watjen, and her late husband, Craig. This elegant evening includes dinner, with a menu prepared by Seattle’s own Chef Shota Nakajima, James Beard nominee and Top Chef Season 18 finalist. Gala attendees will enjoy the exclusive experience of watching intimate performances by world renowned pianist and Opening Night Concert featured artist Jan Lisiecki, Concertmaster Noah Geller and Principal Cello Efe Baltacıgil.
The full orchestra takes the stage at the Opening Night Concert on Saturday, September 17, featuring a combination of classical favorites and new music with Conductor Emeritus Ludovic Morlot at the podium. Known for his nuanced interpretations of French repertoire, Morlot takes audiences on a colorful journey through selections by Saint-Saëns and Ravel; Concertmaster Noah Geller and Principal Cello Efe Baltacıgil render a charming dialogue between violin and cello in Saint-Saëns’ La muse et le poète, and the concert concludes with Ravel’s Suite No. 2 from Daphnis et Chloé. Also on tap: a world premiere by Artist in Residence Angelique Poteat and the dazzling virtuosity of Jan Lisiecki performing the music of Chopin.
The Opening Night Concert will be available on Seattle Symphony Live, in addition to being broadcast live on Classical KING FM 98.1. For the first time, the Seattle Symphony expands its season opening celebration to feature the Opening Night Party — Symphony musicians will join the audience after the concert for drinks and dancing in the Samuel & Althea Stroum Grand Lobby, complete with music by KEXP DJ Marco Collins and signature cocktails and hors d’oeuvres by Chef Shota Nakajima.
The Seattle Symphony is thrilled to welcome audiences back to Benaroya Hall for another full season of live performances. As the organization continues to monitor its safety measures and gauge their impact on the concert experience, the Symphony strongly recommends that everyone wear a mask at all times while inside Benaroya Hall, in addition to maintaining its other implemented safety measures, including a hospital-grade air filtration system and increased cleaning. Please visit the Safety page to learn more about how the Symphony is working to ensure a safe presentation of live music.
To learn more about the Opening Night Gala, please visit the event page here. To reserve a ticket to other Opening Weekend activities and performances, please visit the Opening Night Concert event page.
SEATTLE SYMPHONY LIVE
Seattle Symphony Live brings the Seattle Symphony’s dynamic performances to audiences anywhere in the world. Launched in 2020 to offer musical comfort despite the pandemic, the digital streaming service reached a global audience of more than 750,000 viewers with its live concerts, behind the scenes interviews, educational videos and more. With subscriptions starting at $12.99 per month, Seattle Symphony Live makes engaging with the orchestra’s exceptional musical content more possible than ever before.
SEATTLE SYMPHONY
The Seattle Symphony unleashes the power of music, brings people together and lifts the human spirit. Recognized as one of the “most vital American orchestras” (NPR), the Seattle Symphony is internationally acclaimed for its inventive programming, community-minded initiatives and superb recordings on the Seattle Symphony Media label. With a strong commitment to new music and a legacy of over 150 recordings, the orchestra has garnered five Grammy Awards, 27 Grammy nominations, two Emmy Awards and was named Gramophone’s 2018 Orchestra of the Year. The Symphony performs in Benaroya Hall in the heart of downtown Seattle from September through July, reaching over 750,000 people annually through live performances and radio broadcasts, and through the Seattle Symphony Live streaming service, the orchestra’s concerts reach audiences at home and around the world.
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OPENING NIGHT GALA
SPECIAL PERFORMANCE
Friday, September 16, at 6 p.m.
Jan Lisiecki piano
Noah Geller violin
Efe Baltacıgil cello
OPENING NIGHT CONCERT
SPECIAL PERFORMANCE
Saturday, September 17, at 6 p.m.
Ludovic Morlot conductor
Jan Lisiecki piano
Noah Geller violin
Efe Baltacıgil cello
Angelique Poteat Breathe, Come Together, Embrace (Seattle Symphony Commission & World Premiere)
Chopin Andante spianato and Grand polonaise brillante
Saint-Saëns La muse et le poète
Ravel Suite No. 2 from Daphnis et Chloé
Opening Night Gala Supporters
Diamond
Joan S. Watjen, in memory of Craig M. Watjen
Platinum
Rebecca Benaroya
Judith Fong and Mark Wheeler
Lyn and Jerry Grinstein
The Nakajima Family
The Nesholm Family
Stephen Whyte and Rebecca Ralston
Gold
Dr. Susan Johannsen and Stephen Elop
Parul and Gary Houlahan
Maryanne Tagney
Paul Leach and Susan Winokur
Silver
Amazon
Elias and Karyl Alvord
Paula Boggs and Randee Fox
Leslie and Dale Chihuly
Susan Coughlin and John Lauber
Benjamin and Kelly Martz
Linda Nordstrom
Patricia and Jon Rosen
Yuka Shimizu
Lyle and Andrea Snyder
Benefactor
Aetna
Anonymous
Eli Cheatham
Rebecca L. Ebsworth
Dan and Nancy Evans
Dorothy Fluke
Dr. Pierre and Mrs. Felice Loebel
Nordstrom
Virginia Mason Franciscan Health
2022/2023 Opening Night Gala Committee
Lyn Grinstein and Erika J. Nesholm, co-chairs
Leslie Jackson Chihuly
Susan Coughlin
Jeannie Cziesla
Susan Gulkis Assadi
Shawn Harmon
Parul Houlahan
Eric Jacobs
Alexander Oki
Patricia Rosen
Susan Winokur
2022/2023 Masterworks Season Sponsor: Delta Air Lines
Ludovic Morlot's position is generously underwritten as the Judith Fong Conductor Emeritus.
Noah Geller's position is generously underwritten as the David & Amy Fulton Concertmaster.
Efe Baltacıgil's position is generously underwritten as the Marks Family Foundation Principal Cello.
2022/2023 Season Commissions are generously supported by Diana Carey, Brian and Lynn Grant, and Patricia Tall-Takacs and Gary Takacs.