Cancellation of April and May 2020 Cleveland Orchestra concerts and activities due to concerns over coronavirus (COVID-19)
Severance Hall closed to the public through the end of May
Regularly scheduled WCLV Classical 104.9 Cleveland Orchestra broadcasts available on radio and online Saturdays and Sundays
Free Educational Content Available Online for Children and Families
“In accordance with state and federal containment guidelines and in order to help ensure the health of everyone across our community and beyond, today we are canceling all remaining performances by The Cleveland Orchestra through the end of the 2019-2020 season in May,” said André Gremillet, President & CEO of The Cleveland Orchestra. “This cancellation affects all public concerts and events at Severance Hall through May 31, 2020, including in-person education and community presentations and performances.”
“Much has changed in our daily lives and routines in a very short period due to efforts to secure the health and safety of everyone here in Northeast Ohio and around the country,” continued Gremillet. “Our gratitude goes out to all the people working on the front lines to contain the coronavirus — the healthcare workers and other heroes caring for those in need daily, all the other essential services workers, and to those facing the toughest decisions each day for the collective good of us all. For more than 100 years, through the best of times and the worst of times, The Cleveland Orchestra has sought to serve this community with fortitude, dedication, and pride. We are all being challenged once more, as we face changes that will carry us through this crisis toward the resumption of everyday schedules and the return of social gatherings, events, and performances. Working together as a community, I am confident that we will weather this storm.
“During these troubled times, the mission of The Cleveland Orchestra is as important as ever. Through music, we offer solace and respite from each day’s challenges — and inspiration and hope for the future. While we cannot offer live performances at this time, this doesn’t prevent us from sharing our music and doing everything we can to help make the world a better place.
“I invite everyone to listen to our weekly Saturday and Sunday broadcasts on ideastream/WCLV Classical 104.9 on the air or online, tune into to our daily Mindful Music Moments on social media, or listen to our newly-released recording A New Century on Apple Music, iTunes, Spotify or wherever you stream music (clevelandorchestra.com/newcentury). In the coming weeks, we will be offering additional online performances and educational programs, including videos for children and families. We will announce details through the Orchestra’s website, via social media, and in direct communications with our subscribers, donors, and ticket buyers.
“Despite current challenges, Music Director Franz Welser-Möst and the entire Cleveland Orchestra family remain committed to our mission to provide extraordinary musical experiences through live performances of great music. Human determination, ingenuity, and compassion will carry us through the current crisis. Once this storm has passed, we will again perform the finest music, in the greatest concert hall, with the most dedicated live audience in the world.
“In the coming weeks, we will announce details of The Cleveland Orchestra’s 2020-21 Severance Hall Season, with concerts scheduled to begin as usual in September.
“At this exceptional moment in history, the continued commitment and support of our subscribers, single ticket buyers, and donors — has never been more important. With the help and dedication of everyone involved, The Cleveland Orchestra will rebound successfully, to continue providing unforgettable live musical memories to share with everyone in this community.”
“It is, of course, challenging to find words for what we are all experiencing today. Our plans and expectations — how we are living our lives — have changed dramatically for everyone, onstage and off,” said Franz Welser-Möst, Music Director of The Cleveland Orchestra, from his home in Austria. (Following the cancellations of the March concerts, Mr. Welser-Möst and his wife returned to Austria ten days ago.) “Yet I cannot fail to be optimistic for The Cleveland Orchestra, the Cleveland community, and, ultimately, for the world as a whole. Adversity tests our patience and our ingenuity. I am very grateful to the musicians of The Cleveland Orchestra for the extraordinary work they achieved in recent weeks, with changing schedules and expectations. I understand that all of us — musicians and audience alike — are disappointed by this change to the season at Severance Hall. Yet we must have faith in music and the arts to help focus our hopes and plans for the future. Keep listening to music, so much of which is being shared online and with neighbors. Let us work to support friends and family and everyone as we all work together toward the return of live performances, offered and experienced together.”
For program details of April and May Severance Hall concert dates and times, please see the Program Information section below. The April and May cancellations include events and activities which are part of the Censored Art & Power festival partner events, details of those events are listed online here.
ideastream / WCLV Classical 104.9 broadcasts
As it has since 1965, WCLV classical 104. 9 continues to broadcast the weekly Cleveland Orchestra concerts on Saturdays at 8:00PM and Sundays at 4:00PM on the radio at 104.9 and online. Details of the existing broadcast schedule of previously recorded and on-demand concerts are at these links: ideastream.org/wclv/cleveland-orchestra and ideastream.org/wclv/cleveland-orchestra-broadcasts.
Free online educational resources
Through online resources and videos, educators and music-lovers in Cleveland and around the world can learn about The Cleveland Orchestra and its instruments. Among the online offerings:
The PNC Music Explorers web series gives students, teachers, and families a fun-filled opportunity to explore the instruments of the Orchestra one at a time. With lively and friendly hosts Major Scale and Ranger Rhythm, young people ages 3-6 (and their families) will discover how the instruments make their sound, what they’re made of, and other unexpected fun facts! Watch the series on The Cleveland Orchestra’s YouTube channel and at this link: clevelandorchestra.com/Education-and-Community/Music-Explorers/.
A library of video lesson plans designed for teachers and parents can be found here: clevelandorchestra.com/teachervideos.
A full library of lesson plans and activities for students pre-K through fifth grade is here: clevelandorchestra.com/lessonlibrary.
April 26 John Williams Conducts
For ticket holders for John Williams Conducts, scheduled for April 26, guests are advised to please keep your tickets while the Orchestra works to reschedule this concert. More information will be communicated when a new date is set.
Severance Hall, Public Tours, Rental and Donor Events
Due to the public closure of Severance Hall, Public Tours, Rental Events and Donor Activities will not take place in April and May.
Education and Community Programs
All April and May Music Explorers, the May Family Concert, and Cleveland Orchestra Youth Orchestra concerts, as well as in-school, community education events and programs at libraries and community have been canceled. Please see the Program Information section below for details of the Severance Hall education events.
Ticket Exchange, Donation, or Refund Information
The Severance Hall Ticket office is currently closed due to statewide, national, and international efforts to contain and control the spread of the coronavirus (COVID-19), as The Cleveland Orchestra’s staff works with community leaders to ensure the health and well-being of everyone, including audience members, musicians, and staff.
To reach a member of our ticket office staff, ticketholders can send an email to [email protected] or call and leave a message on the ticket office voicemail at 216-231-1111 and we will respond to each inquiry as quickly as possible.
For Cleveland Orchestra subscribers and ticketholders, the following options are offered:
- Donate your tickets. If you are able to, please consider donating your tickets to The Cleveland Orchestra and receive a tax deduction for the total ticket value. This option will help most in efforts to help fortify the Orchestra’s finances in this period of uncertainty. Ticket donations can be made at: clevelandorchestra.com/donatetickets. Thank you in advance for your generosity.
- Exchange your tickets for any Cleveland Orchestra performance during the 2020 Blossom Music Festival or 2020 Summers@Severance series. All seating-upgrade and exchange fees will be waived.
- Exchange your tickets for a gift certificate for 110% of the value of your purchase, which can be used at any time in the future, including as payment toward your 2020-21 Season subscription.
- Receive a refund for the value of the ticket.
Ticketholders should contact The Cleveland Orchestra before June 30, 2020, to request one of the above options for ticket exchange, gift certificates, or credits. After that time, any outstanding tickets from April and May performances will be automatically converted into a monetary donation to The Cleveland Orchestra and the ticket office will issue a letter detailing the gift for tax purposes.
To ensure the health and safety of everyone involved, Severance Hall ticket office staff members are currently working remotely, and Severance Hall is closed to the public during the coming weeks.
To reach a member of our ticket office staff, ticketholders can send an email to [email protected] or call the ticket office at 216-231-1111 and leave a message. Messages will receive a reply as quickly as possible, usually within 24 hours or by the end of the next business day. Everyone involved appreciates the understanding of all ticketholders as all of these requests and questions are worked through and resolved.
Program Information: Severance Hall April / May Cleveland Orchestra and Educational Concerts and Programs
Dvořák’s New World
Thursday, April 16, 2020 at 7:30 p.m.
Friday, April 17, 2020 at 7:00 p.m. (Fridays@7)
Saturday, April 18, 2020 at 8:00 p.m.
Sunday, April 19, 2020 at 3:00 p.m.
The Cleveland Orchestra
Jahja Ling, conductor
HARBISON Remembering Gatsby: Foxtrot for Orchestra
PRICE Symphony No. 4 in D minor – Cleveland Orchestra premiere
DVOŘÁK Symphony No. 9 (“From the New World”)
PNC MUSIC EXPLORERS
TRIUMPHANT TRUMPET
Severance Hall, 11001 Euclid Avenue, Cleveland, OH 44106
Friday, April 17, 2020 at 10:00 a.m. & 11:00 a.m.
Saturday, April 18, 2020 at 11:00 a.m.
Jack Sutte, trumpet
Debussy’s La Mer
Thursday, April 23, 2020 at 7:30 p.m.
Saturday, April 25, 2020 at 8:00 p.m.
The Cleveland Orchestra
Thomas Søndergård, conductor – Cleveland Orchestra debut
Vilde Frang, violin – Severance Hall debut
ADÈS Overture, Waltz, and Finale from Powder Her Face
STRAVINSKY Violin Concerto in D major
STRAVINSKY Symphony in Three Movements
DEBUSSY La mer
Friday, April 24, 2020 at 11:00 a.m.
The Cleveland Orchestra
Thomas Søndergård, conductor
Vilde Frang, violin
ADÈS Overture, Waltz, and Finale from Powder Her Face
STRAVINSKY Violin Concerto in D major
DEBUSSY La mer
John Williams Conducts
Sunday, April 26, 2020, at 3:00 p.m.
The Cleveland Orchestra
John Williams, conductor
We are currently in the process of re-scheduling this performance to a future date; guests are encouraged to hold on to their tickets which will remain valid.
Brahms Quartet
Thursday, April 30, 2020 at 7:30 p.m.
Saturday, May 2, 2020 at 8:00 p.m.
The Cleveland Orchestra
Matthias Pintscher, conductor
Mary Kay Fink, piccolo
ZEMLINSKY Sinfonietta
ZEHAVI Aurora: Concerto for Piccolo and Chamber Orchestra [WORLD PREMIERE – Cleveland Orchestra Commission]
BRAHMS Quartet in G minor for Piano and Strings (orchestrated by Arnold Schoenberg)
FAMILY CONCERT
OUT OF THIS WORLD
Severance Hall, 11001 Euclid Avenue, Cleveland, OH 44106
Friday, May 1, 2020 at 7:30 p.m.
The Cleveland Orchestra
Vinay Parameswaran, conductor
The Cleveland Orchestra’s Family Concert Series is supported by the Weiss Family Foundation. This concert is presented in partnership with Great Lakes Science Center and its NASA Glenn Visitor Center.
PNC MUSIC EXPLORERS
POWERFUL PERCUSSION
Severance Hall, 11001 Euclid Avenue, Cleveland, OH 44106
Friday, May 1, 2020 at 10:00 a.m.
Saturday, May 2, 2020 at 11:00 a.m.
Thomas Sherwood, percussion
CLEVELAND ORCHESTRA YOUTH ORCHESTRA
Severance Hall, 11001 Euclid Avenue, Cleveland, OH 44106
Sunday, May 3, 2020 at 2:00 p.m.
Members of the Cleveland Orchestra Youth Orchestra
Sonja Molloy, viola
Miho Hashizume, violin
Paul Kushious, cello
ROSSINI Duetto for Cello and Double Bass
BORODIN String Quartet No. 2
HAYDN String Quartet No. 3 in G minor
BEETHOVEN Serenade in D major
CLEVELAND ORCHESTRA YOUTH ORCHESTRA
Severance Hall, 11001 Euclid Avenue, Cleveland, OH 44106
Sunday, May 3, 2020 at 3:00 p.m.
Cleveland Orchestra Youth Orchestra
Vinay Parameswaran, conductor
Katarina Davies, cello
Natalie Brennecke, viola
GABRIELLA SMITH Tumblebird Contrails
TCHAIKOVSKY Variations on Rococo Theme for cello and orchestra
ROZSA Viola Concerto
DEBUSSY La Mer
The Cleveland Orchestra Youth Orchestra is supported by a generous grant from the Martha Holden Jennings Foundation, and by gifts from many other donors from across Northeast Ohio. Endowment support is provided by The George Gund Foundation and Christine Gitlin Miles
Truls Mørk Plays Dvořák
Thursday, May 7, 2020 at 7:30 p.m.
Saturday, May 9, 2020 at 8:00 p.m.
The Cleveland Orchestra
Franz Welser-Möst, conductor
Truls Mørk, cello
MOZART Masonic Funeral Music
MOZART Symphony No. 39 in E-flat major
DVOŘÁK Cello Concerto in B minor
Friday, May 8, 2020 at 11:00 a.m.
The Cleveland Orchestra
Franz Welser-Möst, conductor
Truls Mørk, cello
MOZART Symphony No. 39 in E-flat major
DVOŘÁK Cello Concerto in B minor
Jazz and Dadaist Art Film
Friday, May 15, 2020 at 8:00 p.m.
The Cleveland Orchestra
Franz Welser-Möst, conductor
Aaron Diehl, piano – Severance Hall debut
Conrad Tao, piano – Severance Hall debut
Paul Sikivie, bass – Cleveland Orchestra debut
Greg Hutchinson, drums – Cleveland Orchestra debut
MARTINŮ Jazz Suite – Cleveland Orchestra premiere
MARY LOU WILLIAMS Selections from Zodiac Suite
LIGETI Select Études
ANTHEIL Ballet mécanique (with film) – Cleveland Orchestra premiere
Opera: Lulu
Saturday, May 16, 2020 at 8:00 p.m.
Tuesday, May 19, 2020 at 7:30 p.m.
Friday, May 22, 2020 at 8:00 p.m.
The Cleveland Orchestra
Franz Welser-Möst, conductor
Barbara Hannigan, soprano (Lulu)
Rainer Trost, tenor (Painter) – Cleveland Orchestra debut
Bo Skovhus, baritone (Dr. Schön)
Norbert Ernst, tenor (Alwa)
Sergei Leiferkus, bass (Schigolch) – Cleveland Orchestra debut
Jennifer Johnson Cano, mezzo-soprano (Geschwitz)
Barry Banks, tenor (Prince/Manservant) – Cleveland Orchestra debut
Scott Wilde, bass (Athlete/Animal Trainer) – Cleveland Orchestra debut
David Leigh, bass (Theater Manager) – Cleveland Orchestra debut
Rebecca Jo Loeb, contralto (Schoolboy/Dresser) – Cleveland Orchestra debut
BERG Lulu (two-act version, opera in concert) – Cleveland Orchestra premiere
Opera presentation sung in German with projected supertitles.
African American and Czech Composers
Saturday, May 23, 2020 at 8:00 p.m.
The Cleveland Orchestra
Franz Welser-Möst, conductor
Audrey Luna, soprano
STILL Poem for Orchestra
KRENEK Die Nachtigall [The Nightingale] – Cleveland Orchestra premiere
SCHULHOFF Symphony No. 5 – Cleveland Orchestra premiere
Welser-Möst Conducts Pictures at an Exhibition
Thursday, May 28, 2020 at 7:30 p.m.
Friday, May 29, 2020 at 8:00 p.m.
Saturday, May 30, 2020 at 8:00 p.m.
Sunday, May 31, 2020 at 3:00 p.m.
The Cleveland Orchestra
Franz Welser-Möst, conductor
Igor Levit, piano
DEUTSCH Intensity [WORLD PREMIERE – Cleveland Orchestra Commission]
BEETHOVEN Piano Concerto No. 3 in C minor
MUSSORGSKY/RAVEL Pictures at an Exhibition