Detroit Symphony Orchestra (DSO) embarks on an eight-day tour of South Florida, the orchestra will perform a FREE send-off and Patron Appreciation Concert on Tuesday, Feb. 18 at 7:30 p.m.

DSO PERFORMS FREE FLORIDA SEND-OFF CONCERT

DETROIT, (February 10, 2014) – Just days before the Detroit Symphony Orchestra (DSO) embarks on an eight-day tour of South Florida, the orchestra will perform a FREE send-off and Patron Appreciation Concert on Tuesday, Feb. 18 at 7:30 p.m. Bid the DSO bon voyage simply by reserving a complimentary ticket at dso.org.

Young American conductor Christopher James Lees, alumnus of the University of Michigan, will lead the orchestra in a program of light classics such as Rossini’s Overture from The Barber of Seville,Glinka’s Overture from Russlan and Ludmilla, and Tchaikovsky’s Romeo and Juliet Fantasy Overture.

The DSO will depart on Monday, Feb. 24 for an eight-day tour across southern Florida, performing concerts in West Palm Beach (Feb. 25-26), Miami (Feb. 28), Vero Beach (March 2), Sarasota (March 3), and Naples (March 4). The DSO will also take its “community-supported orchestra” philosophy on the road, with chamber performances scheduled at schools, health care facilities and senior living communities.

The DSO’s appearance in Florida is made possible by the General Motors Foundation and Cadillac.

A full Florida itinerary is available to media personnel upon request.

ABOUT CHRISTOPHER JAMES LEES

Christopher James Lees is a promising young American conductor becoming increasingly recognized for energized and nuanced performances of both standard and adventurous repertoire. Recipient of a Gustavo Dudamel Conducting Fellowship with the Los Angeles Philharmonic, Lees made his debut with the orchestra in April 2013. 

Lees has conducted performances with the Detroit, Toledo, and Portland (Maine) symphonies and served as an assistant conductor for multiple concert programs with the Los Angeles Philharmonic, Detroit, Atlanta, St. Louis, Kansas City, and Charlotte symphonies for noted conductors including Leonard Slatkin, David Robertson, Stéphane Danève, Robert Spano, Bramwell Tovey, and many others. He has also conducted performances with the National Arts Centre Orchestra, Ensemble Orchestral de Paris, Cabrillo Festival Orchestra, and at the Festival Internacional de Inverno de Campos do Jordao in Brazil, among others.

He has previously served as Associate Conductor of the Akron Symphony Orchestra, where he was awarded a Bruno Walter Memorial Foundation Career Development Grant, and was also a recipient of the Zander Conducting Fellowship with the Boston Philharmonic where he assisted conductor Benjamin Zander in performances with the Boston Philharmonic, Ulster, and London Philharmonia Orchestras. Lees holds a Master’s degree in conducting from the University of Michigan, where he studied with Kenneth Kiesler, and currently serves as Associate Director of Orchestras. 

TICKET INFORMATION

Tickets to the Florida Send-off Patron Appreciation Concert are free, and can be reserved at the Max M. Fisher Music Center box office (3711 Woodward Ave., Detroit); by calling (313) 576-5111; or online at dso.org. 

PERFORMANCE

Detroit Symphony Orchestra

Christopher James Lees, conductor

Tues., Feb. 18 at 7:30 p.m.

ROSSINI	Overture to The Barber of Seville
MENDELSSOHN	The Hebrides Overture, “Fingal’s Cave”
SCHUMANN	Konzertstück
Intermission
GLINKA	Overture to Russlan and Ludmilla
MÁRQUEZ	Danzón No. 2
TCHAIKOVSKY	Romeo and Juliet Fantasy Overture

ABOUT THE DSO

The internationally acclaimed Detroit Symphony Orchestra, which celebrated its 125^th anniversary in December 2012, is known for trailblazing performances, visionary maestros, collaborations with the world’s foremost musical artists, and an unwavering commitment to Detroit. Esteemed conductor Leonard Slatkin, called “America’s Music Director” by the Los Angeles Times, became the 12^th Music Director of the DSO during the 2008-09 season and acclaimed conductor, arranger, and trumpeter, Jeff Tyzik was appointed Principal Pops Conductor in November 2012. The DSO’s performance schedule includes Classical, Pops, Jazz, Young People’s, Neighborhood concerts, and collaborations with chart-topping musicians from Smokey Robinson to Kid Rock. A commitment to broadcast innovation began in 1922 when the DSO became the first orchestra in the world to present a radio broadcast and continues today with the free Live from Orchestra Hall webcast series. Making its home at historic Orchestra Hall and the Max M. Fisher Music Center, one of America’s most acoustically perfect concert halls, the DSO actively pursues a mission to impact and serve the community through music. For more information visit dso.org or download the free DSO to Go mobile app.