It all came together in Baltimore the other night: the flowing curves of the architecture, the soaring tunes of Cole Porter, and the appreciation of women in music.
The Joseph Meyerhoff Symphony Hall is home to the Baltimore Symphony Orchestra. Founded in the early 20th century, the BSO is recognized as a world-class music organization. The Meyerhoff was opened in 1982 specifically to showcase music performances. There are no flat walls or 90-degree angles in the hall, and every surface, including the giant screw heads on the ceiling, was designed and tuned to present performances from the stage with clarity and warmth.
Inside and out, the building combines a massive presence with a feeling of openness thanks to soaring walls of glass that let light into the lobby. And that musical crab? He'sone of the many Maryland crab statues painted during a competition a couple of years ago to help promote Baltimore. The Meyerhoff is near the Maryland Institute College of Art, and the neighborhood has many outdoor sculptures.
Just as the building made history when it opened, the Orchestra made history in 2005 when it appointed Marin Alsop as the next Music Director. Alsop became the first female conductor of a major American Orchestra. Though her term as Music Director starts with the 2008 season, she has already been active and conducted many concerts. The BSO Magazine, Overture, spotlights the accomplishments of women in classical music in its current issue.
For our Superpops concert, Jack Everly conducted the orchestra and the Baltimore Choral Arts Society in a wonderful collection of Cole Porter tunes like "It's Too Darn Hot," "I've Got You Under My Skin," and "Anything Goes." It was a delightful evening with good music in a great building.
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