Seattle, WA – In accordance with the latest mandate from Washington Governor Jay Inslee, Benaroya Hall announced yesterday that all public events have been canceled through March 31, 2020 in an effort to reduce the spread of the coronavirus (COVID-19). As our community confronts a current global health crisis, the Seattle Symphony will continue sharing performances that provide strength, comfort and joy through video rebroadcasts and livestreams throughout the month. The first rebroadcast will be the live performance of Mahler’s Symphony No. 1 led by Music Director Thomas Dausgaard on Thursday, March 12, 2020, at 7:30 p.m. PDT and Saturday, March 14, 2020, at 8 p.m. PDT on YouTube and Facebook. This concert was originally performed on September 19, 2019.
The Seattle Symphony is organizing additional free livestreams and rebroadcasts until the orchestra can return to the Benaroya Hall stage. More details will be shared in the coming days at seattlesymphony.org/live.
Alexander White, Associate Principal Trumpet and Chairperson of the Seattle Symphony and Opera Players’ Organization says, “As musicians, we unite in good times and bad to make music as a community, for our community. So, to our friends in Seattle and our friends around the world, here is our gift to you in the language we know best: music.”
“I believe music has the power to transform lives and bring people together in new and surprising ways,” shares Music Director Thomas Dausgaard. “Even though we can’t gather at Benaroya Hall, I’m so happy we’ll still be sharing musical moments together, whether you’re at home in Seattle or halfway across the world.”
“From the Music Beyond Borders concert presented in response to the January 2017 travel ban, to providing free tickets to furloughed federal employees, to performing concerts in memory of hate crime victims, the Seattle Symphony has been here through many of our world’s most significant moments,” comments President & CEO Krishna Thiagarajan. “It’s part of who we are and what we believe music can provide for our community.”
Governor Inslee’s decision prioritizes public health by prohibiting all large gatherings of more than 250 people, and the Seattle Symphony is committed to the health and safety of everyone at Benaroya Hall. Gatherings under 250 people are prohibited in King County unless certain measures are taken to minimize risk, including social distancing of 6 feet or more for those together longer than 10 minutes, which is unachievable in orchestra rehearsals.
Inspired by the orchestra’s dedication to serving the community, Seattle Symphony Board Member Stephen Whyte has generously pledged to match gifts, dollar-for-dollar throughout Benaroya Hall’s closure.
“As a nonprofit organization, the cancellation of concerts will have a significant financial impact on the Symphony due to unrecoverable losses in ticket sales,” shares René Ancinas, Board Chair of the Seattle Symphony. “And even amidst uncertain times, it’s inspiring to see our orchestra unleash the power of music, bring us together and lift our spirits.”
To learn more about how to support the Seattle Symphony or to make a donation, visit seattlesymphony.org/give. The Seattle Symphony looks forward to welcoming audiences back to Benaroya Hall again very soon.
SEATTLE SYMPHONY
Led by Music Director Thomas Dausgaard, 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, 26 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 500,000 people annually through live performances and radio broadcasts.
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Information about the live broadcast is below:
MAHLER SYMPHONY NO. 1
DELTA AIR LINES MASTERWORKS SEASON
Thursday, March 12, 7:30 p.m.
Saturday, March 14, at 8 p.m.
Thomas Dausgaard, conductor
Seattle Symphony
Mahler Symphony No. 1
In his opening concert of the Masterworks Season Music Director Thomas Dausgaard set an exhilarating course with Mahler’s First Symphony. The concert was originally live broadcast on YouTube and Facebook on Thursday, September 19, 2019.
The live re-broadcast will be available through the Seattle Symphony’s YouTube and Facebook channels.
Thomas Dausgaard’s performance sponsored by the Scan|Design Foundation by Inger and Jens Bruun.
