• By Mabel Pais

SYMPHONY CONCERT WITH JOSHUA BELL

Grammy Award-winning violinist Joshua Bell joins the New Jersey Symphony in concert in a program featuring Mendelssohn’s Violin Concerto and Beethoven’s Symphony No. 4.

The world-renowned artist will not only play the solo violin in the incredibly virtuosic violin concerto but will also lead the orchestra from the concert-master’s chair during the entire program, including Beethoven’s Symphony No. 4, making Bell both the soloist and the conductor of the performances.

The program includes Mendelssohn’s Overture to his opera, ‘A Midsummer Night’s Dream,’ based on Shakespeare’s play.

Bell, an Indiana native who has been playing professionally since age 14, is currently on a world tour of major orchestras, including the New Jersey Symphony, and has just released a new album on Sony Classical, ‘Butterfly Lovers.’ He recently commissioned a series of new works for violin and orchestra called ‘The Elements,’ from composers Jake Heggie, Jennifer Higdon, Edgar Meyer, Jessie Montgomery, and Kevin Puts.

In addition to his busy concert career, Bell is Music Director of the Academy of St. Martin in the Fields, a chamber orchestra based in London (United Kingdom).

PROGRAM

Joshua Bell Leads the New Jersey Symphony

New Jersey Symphony Classical

Joshua Bell conductor and violin

New Jersey Symphony

Newark – Thursday, November 30, 1:30 pm, New Jersey Performing Arts Center

Newark – Friday, December 1, 8 pm, New Jersey Performing Arts Center

Morristown – Sunday, December 3, 3 pm, Mayo Performing Arts Center

Mendelssohn Overture to A Midsummer Night’s Dream

Mendelssohn Violin Concerto

Beethoven Symphony No. 4

Pre-Concert Conversation

The Symphony invites all ticket holders to attend a free classical conversation starting one hour before the performance on Friday, December 1, at 7 pm and Sunday, December 3, at 2 pm. Learn more about the music from New Jersey Symphony musicians, guest artists and other engaging insiders.

TICKETS

More information on Concerts and Tickets to the Performances are available at njsymphony.org/events

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GOSPEL HOLIDAY CONCERT

WHEN:  Saturday, Dec 9 @ 4 PM

WHERE: Newark Symphony Hall’s Terrace Ballroom

Concert Information

New Jersey Symphony Gospel Chorus | Gwen Moten, director

Dorthaan Kirk emcee

New Jersey Symphony Chamber Players

This family concert is general admission. 

Spotlighting celebrated artists from Newark and beyond, the New Jersey Symphony Chamber Players laud the power of the first instrument—the human voice—with a gospel music-inspired holiday extravaganza. All are invited to come ready to sing, dance and clap along!

TICKETS

Tickets are available for purchase at my.njsymphony.org/20344/21017

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HOLIDAY CLASSIC: HANDEL’S ‘MESSIAH’

Sherezade Panthaki, soprano joins the singing

The New Jersey Symphony will present two performances of the beloved holiday tradition, Handel’s ‘Messiah,’ Friday, December 15 at 8 pm, and Sunday, December 17 at 7 pm. The Symphony will perform the entire Oratorio, including Part I (popularly known as the Christmas portion) as well as the familiar ‘Hallelujah Chorus.’

The concerts will be conducted by Nicholas McGegan, Music Director Laureate of the Philharmonia Baroque Orchestra and Chorale, and Principal Guest Conductor of Capella Savaria in Hungary. With a career spanning more than five decades, McGegan is considered an expert in 18th-century music, of which ‘Messiah’ might be the most famous example.

Joining the Symphony and McGegan are a host of guest vocalists, including Sherezade Panthaki, soprano; Key’mon W. Murrah, countertenor; Thomas Cooley, tenor; and Tyler Duncan, baritone. Singing the well-known choral sections are the Montclair State University Singers, under the direction of Heather J. Buchanan.

The performance on Friday, December 15 takes place at Richardson Auditorium in Princeton, located on the Princeton University campus, directly across from Palmer Square in downtown Princeton. Preceding the performance, at 7 pm, audiences are invited to join Buchanan and the Montclair State University Singers as they lead a festive singalong of holiday songs and carols, which includes a brief rehearsal of the famous “Hallelujah Chorus.”

The Sunday, December 17 performance takes place at Cathedral Basilica of the Sacred Heart in Newark. Seating is general admission and priced based on location inside the basilica.

Handel composed the famous oratorio in just 24 days. Messiah was premiered in Dublin, Ireland, in April of 1742. It became an annual tradition in London after 1750 and has been performed countless times by orchestras and choruses around the world since.

PROGRAM

Handel’s Messiah

New Jersey Symphony Holiday Tradition

Nicholas McGegan conductor

Sherezade Panthaki soprano

Key’mon W. Murrah countertenor

Thomas Cooley tenor

Tyler Duncan baritone

Montclair State University Singers | Heather J. Buchanan, director

New Jersey Symphony

Princeton – Friday, December 15, 8 pm, Richardson Auditorium

Newark – Sunday, December 17, 7 pm, Cathedral Basilica of the Sacred Heart

Holiday Singalong

Princeton – Friday, December 15, 7 pm, Richardson Auditorium

TICKETS

For more information on concerts and tickets, visit njsymphony.org/events

New Jersey Symphony

The Emmy and Grammy Award-winning New Jersey Symphony is redefining what it means to be a nationally leading, relevant orchestra in the 21st century. The Symphony is renewing its deeply rooted commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion by championing new, and often local, artists; engaging audiences for whom the inspiring depth and breadth of classical music will be a new experience; and incorporating the broadest possible representation in all aspects of our organization-all to better reflect and serve our vibrant communities.

Connect with NJ Symphony:

1.800.ALLEGRO (255.3476)

njsymphony.org

@NJSymphony on Facebook, lnstagram, TikTok and X, formerly known as Twitter

@NewJerseySymphony on YouTube

Email: information@njsymphony.org

(Mabel Pais writes on The Arts and Entertainment, Social Issues, Spirituality, Education, Cuisine, Health & Wellness, and Business)