A rare chance to discover Overture No. 3 by Emilie Mayer, aka the “female Beethoven” LiveEvents March 17, 2025 66 Soulful Greats Yannick Nézet-Séguin interprets Schubert’s Symphony No. 9, “The Great,” an imposing yet deeply personal work. Christian Blackshaw, a contemporary Mozart master, delivers a crystal clear rendition of the composer’s work. With Piano Concerto No. 24, our artist-in-residence highlights Mozart’s ability to convey the depth of human emotion through music. In Overture No. 3 by Emilie Mayer, also known as the “female Beethoven,” Yannick Nézet-Séguin and the OM continue exploring an unjustly neglected repertoire—that of female composers. Born in 1812, Emilie Mayer was arguably the most famous German woman composer during her lifetime. Considered to be one of the the most prolific female composers of the Romantic period; she wrote a singspiel (Die Fischerin), several symphonies and symphonic overtures, and choral, solo voice, and instrumental works. However, the work of this talented composer has gone largely unperformed since her death in 1883. Artists Orchestre Métropolitain Yannick Nézet-Séguin, conductor Artistic Director and Principal Conductor of the Orchestre Métropolitain since 2000, to which he committed himself “for life” in 2019, Yannick Nézet-Séguin became, in September 2018, the third Music Director of the Metropolitan Opera (Met) in New York. Music Director of the Philadelphia Orchestra since 2012, he became its Artistic and Music Director in 2023 and renewed his contract until 2030. He is Honorary Conductor of the Rotterdams Philharmonisch Orkest, where he was Music Director from 2008 to 2018, and is also an Honorary Member of the Chamber Orchestra of Europe. Yannick’s honours include five Grammy Awards, and eight honorary doctorates; he is also a Companion of the Order of Canada (2012), Companion of Arts and Letters of Quebec (2015), Officer of the National Order of Quebec (2015), Officer of the Order of Montreal (2017), Honorary Member of the Royal Conservatory of Music (2020) and Officer of the Order of Arts and Letters of the French Republic (2021). Christian Blackshaw, piano A deeply passionate and sensitive pianist, Christian Blackshaw is celebrated for the incomparable musicianship of his performances. His playing combines tremendous emotional depth with great understanding. Born in Cheshire, England, he studied with Gordon Green at the Royal College Manchester and Royal Academy London, winning the gold medals at each. He then became the first British pianist to study at the Leningrad Conservatoire with Moisei Halfin and later worked closely with Sir Clifford Curzon in London. His hugely acclaimed Wigmore Hall complete Mozart Piano Sonatas series was recorded for Wigmore Hall Live and released in four volumes. Critics have been unanimous in their praise, describing these “landmark” recordings as “captivating”, “magical” and “masterful”. Volume 4 was named as one of the Best Classical Recordings of 2015 in the New York Times in addition to Gramophone Magazine’s Top 50 Greatest Mozart Recordings. Wednesday, March 26, 2025 at 7:30pm Maison symphonique To purchase your tickets, visit: www.placedesarts.com
