This was the first time in 24 years that I’ve felt the Eastman Theater’s floor vibrate with the string basses’ low C at the opening of Brahms’ symphony. Nor had I ever heard the cellos projected with such full tone and consummate ensemble."
--Classical Voice North America

Maestro Andreas Delfs returns on October 21 & 23 to conduct the RPO in Kurt Weill's Suite from The Threepenny Opera, which showcases American jazz's influence in 1920s Europe and features instrumentation that includes the banjo, bandoneon, and a trap set. The program continues Sergei Rachmaninov's Rhapsody on a Theme of Paganini featuring pianist Natasha Paremski; Boris Blacher's Orchestral Variations on a Theme by Paganini; and Aram Khachaturian's Suite from Spartacus, one of the composer’s best-known works.  

On November 4 & 6, the orchestra welcomes guest conductor Joseph Young, one of today's most gifted young conductors, for his RPO debut. Maestro Young is is Music Director of the Berkeley Symphony, Artistic Director of Ensembles for the Peabody Conservatory, and Resident Conductor of the National Youth Orchestra–USA at Carnegie Hall.  The "all-American" program opens with Onward by Alabama native Brian Nabors, whose music often draws on Jazz, Funk, R&B, and Gospel music. The composer describes this work as a ten-minute soundscape to "celebrate the dreams and aspirations that motivate us to become our best selves." Next on the program is Barber’s Violin Concerto, featuring soloist William Hagen, who is making his RPO debut.  The evening concludes with Dvořák’s much beloved “New World” Symphony.

Maestro Delfs returns to conduct this year’s annual opera presentation by the RPO, a semi-staged production of Humperdinck’s family classic Hansel and Gretel, sung in English, on November 18 & 20.

A complete calendar of upcoming events is available on the RPO website, www.rpo.org. 

The RPO Pops Series
The 2021-22 Pops Series, under the direction of Principal Pops Conductor Jeff Tyzik (celebrating his 28th season with the orchestra), features brilliant and beloved popular music, including the music of Motown with The Kings of Soul, a concert devoted to the best of Broadway, and a 90th Birthday celebration of the great John Williams.  Several hugely anticipated programs that had to be cancelled in 20-21 have been rescheduled for 21-22, including Revolution: Music of the Beatles (April 22 & 23, 2022), arranged by Jeff Tyzik; and the music of two of the largest movie franchises in history with Jurassic Park in Concert (January 21 & 22, 2022) and Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire (May 27 & 28, 2022).

For more information on subscribing to the RPO’s 2021-22 season, visit www.RPO.org or call 585.454.2100. 

About Andreas Delfs
Over the course of his 35-year career, Andreas Delfs has earned a stellar reputation as one of the most respected conductors in the orchestra world. He is widely recognized as both a successful, hands-on orchestra builder and as an imaginative and inspiring music director. His passionate and dramatic interpretations of the late romantic repertoire with orchestras in both North America and Europe have drawn critical acclaim, reflecting a constantly evolving artistic maturity marked by the insight, depth and integrity he brings to the podium.  For a full biography, visit https://rpo.org/conductors-musicians/. 

About the RPO
The Rochester Philharmonic Orchestra (RPO) has been committed to enriching and inspiring our community through the art of music since its founding in 1922. The RPO presents approximately 150 concerts and broadcasts a year, serving up to 170,000 people through ticketed events, education and community engagement activities, and concerts in schools and community centers throughout the region. Music Director Andreas Delfs joins the ranks of former notable RPO music directors, including Erich Leinsdorf, David Zinman, Mark Elder, and Conductor Laureate Christopher Seaman. Principal Pops Conductor Jeff Tyzik, now in his 28th season, has earned a national reputation for excellence in pops programming during his tenure with the RPO. The RPO reaches more than 15,000 youth through its specific education programs.