AUDRA MCDONALD MAKES A RARE VISIT TO SAN FRANCISCO
As if San Francisco Symphony’s (SFS) annual opening night galas were not the most anticipated events of any year, SFS and Music Director Michael Tilson Thomas 
have announced that singer and actress Audra McDonald will join the orchestra to perform selections from the American Songbook for this year’s Opening Night Gala concert on Tuesday, September 3. Also on the program will be SFS performing Antheil’s Jazz Symphony and Gershwin’s An American in Paris. Proceeds from the Opening Night Gala benefit the Orchestra’s myriad community and education programs, which provide music education to more than 75,000 Bay Area school children each year.
I have had the privilege of seeing Ms. McDonald’s Tony-winning performances in Carousel, Master Class and Ragtime, but it was her turn as Clara in Passion at Chicagoland’s Ravinia Festival that proved Ms. McDonald is, as Stephen Sondheim 
maintains, “one of the glories of the American theater.” Not only is she a refined singer with a golden voice of purity and control, but she makes every song a story unto its own. Her selections will include favorites and lesser-known works from the Broadway canon. While this is a return to SFS for the five-time Tony Award- and two-time Grammy Award-winning McDonald, her Broadway, opera and television career means that it is a rare opportunity to see her in concert, especially one where she is backed up by a splendid orchestra.
There are four separate formal dinner packages available before the concert, and they all include a 5pm cocktail reception, 6pm dinner, the after-party in the Tent Pavilion, and premium seating for the concert. Free celebrations for all ticketholders will occur at Davies Hall: There will be a complimentary wine reception at 7pm in the lobby, and a festive indoor and outdoor party — which includes treats from some of San Francisco’s finest restaurants, beverages, live entertainment and dancing — will follow the concert in the Tent Pavilion.
Luckily, there are two additional concerts of all-American music the same week as the gala. The Jazz Symphony and An American in Paris will remain on the program, but Maestro Thomas will also lead Barber’s Violin Concerto performed by James Ehnes. Known for his virtuosity and probing musicianship, Ehnes has performed in over 30 countries and on five continents, appearing regularly in the world’s great concert halls and with many of the major orchestras and conductors. I was most impressed with his rendition of Beethoven’s Violin Concerto earlier this year at Segerstrom Hall in Costa Mesa, which had the violinist master a rare combination of technique and soul. Be aware that the Sep 5 concert is the 35th annual All-San Francisco Concert, a community event which celebrates the work of more than 100 social service and non-profit organizations that serve San Francisco and the Bay Area. Thus, it is not available for general purchase, and all invitations have been awarded for this year. Fortunately, tickets are available to the public for the Sep 6 and 7 concerts with Ehnes.
Opening Night Gala, September 3, 2013
Michael Tilson Thomas conductor
San Francisco Symphony
ANTHEIL / Jazz Symphony
GERSHWIN / An American in Paris
Soprano AUDRA MCDONALD
Classic American Songbook Selections:
“A Little Bit in Loveâ€
“Somewhereâ€
“A Hundred Easy Ways to Lose a Manâ€
“My House†/ “Take Care of This Houseâ€
“First You Dreamâ€
“He Plays the Violinâ€
“The Music that Makes Me Danceâ€
“Make Someone Happyâ€
“I Could Have Danced All Nightâ€
for tickets, call 415-864-6000 or visit http://www.sfsymphony.org/gala
for dinner packages, contact the Volunteer Council at (415) 503-5500
or visit http://www.sfsymphony.org/gala
Additional Concerts on September 6 and 7, 2013
ANTHEIL / Jazz Symphony
GERSHWIN / An American in Paris
BARBER / Violin Concerto, Violinist James Ehnes
for tickets, call 415-864-6000 or visit http://www.sfsymphony.org/gala