New Bedford Guide Your Guide to New Bedford and South Coast, MA
Here is what people are saying about Christopher James Lees:
“Maestro Lees conducted with knowledge of [Shostakovich’s Fifth Symphony] that reminded me of watching Bernstein conduct Mahler: he knew every corner and turn and approached each with an incredible amount of musicianship.”
— Jackson Cooper, Classical Voice of North Carolina
“Christopher James Lees, winner of the Aspen Conducting Prize for 2013, led the ensemble and got the tight rhythmic interjections to fit cleanly with the piano throughout…”
— Harvey Steiman, Aspen Times
“Christopher James Lees led a smoothly elegant performance that captured the comic, ironic, passionate, and sinister elements of the score [Don Giovanni], and the orchestra played with refinement and infectious energy.”
— Stephen Eddins, Ann Arbor Observer
“Maestro Lees is clearly in charge of his orchestra, which responds well to his ever-changing direction. The outstanding playing brought the entire audience to its feet for a well-deserved standing ovation.”
— Peter Perret, Classical Voice of North Carolina
“[Christopher James] Lees conducted from memory, setting up a rhythmically vital, clean, and vibrant performance from the very opening bars…the peppy minuet was followed by a superbly layered account of one of Mozart’s most complicated symphonic movements… Lees brought this well-paced “Jupiter” to a joyful conclusion.”
— Mike Telin, ClevelandClassical.com
Saturday, October 15, 7:30pm
Zeiterion Performing Arts Center
There will be a free pre-concert talk on the evening’s program by Mr. Lees at 6:30pm in the Penler Space. Concertgoers are also invited to an after-concert reception with Mr. Lees in the Penler Space.
Concert sponsor: Robert B. Feingold & Associates, P.C. Reception sponsor: Russell Morin Catering & Events.
Individual concert tickets are available for $25-$60 (Holiday Pops $15-$38) through the Zeiterion Performing Arts Center box office: 684 Purchase Street, New Bedford, MA 02740, 508-994-2900, Tues-Fri 10:00am-5:00pm, Saturday 10:00am-3:00pm, or access 24/7 at: www.nbsymphony.org. Box office orders are subject to a $5.00 processing fee, and tickets purchased online or by phone are subject to a $3.50 per ticket convenience fee. Tickets for children and students under age 22 are always $10 (not available online, must call or visit the box office; can be added to subscription).
Season subscriptions are available by calling the NBSO at 508-999-6276. Save up to 20% when you subscribe to three or more NBSO concerts.
Not thrilled by the Rothko piece but my wife loved it. The Grieg concert, went, as expected, just fine. A world class soloist does most of the heavy lifting and easily carries the day with the supporting players doing just fine. So the Dvorak 8 was the real test. They were a little shaky for the first couple of minutes but then they just got into a good place and ran the table on what I think must be very complicated and difficult music.
Christopher James Lees obviously had been doing something right. And he responded just so well to the questions from the fool who did the interview for the local media prior to the pre-concert, particularly with respect to the way he justified the way the NBS has outreached to local school kids.