Principal Conductor Bernard Labadie Leads Haydn Overture And “Farewell” Symphony on February 28

Principal Conductor Bernard Labadie Leads Haydn Overture
And “Farewell” Symphony In February As
Orchestra Of St.  Luke’s 2018–2019 Carnegie Hall Series Continues

Paul Lewis is Soloist for Beethoven’s Concerto No. 2 in B-flat Major, Op. 19
Soprano Ying Fang Performs Alternate Aria from Mozart’s Idomeneo

The second concert of Orchestra of St. Luke’s 2018–2019 Carnegie Hall Series will take place on Thursday, February 28 at 8:00 PM at Carnegie Hall’s Stern Auditorium / Perelman Stage. Principal Conductor Bernard Labadie leads the ensemble in a program bookended by works of Haydn: the Overture to the music-drama L’isola disabitata and Symphony No. 45 in F-sharp Minor, “Farewell.” Guest Artist Paul Lewis makes his Carnegie Hall concerto debut performing Beethoven’s Piano Concerto No. 2 in B-flat Major, Op. 19 and soprano Ying Fang will sing the aria “Non temer, amato bene,” K. 490 from the 1786 Vienna version of Mozart’s Idomeneo.

About the Program
The opening Overture from Haydn’s music-drama L'isola disabitata (The Deserted Island - 1779) rings out with “the Sturm und Drang style that mirrors that of the ‘Farewell’ Symphony,” notes Bernard Labadie. The anecdote attached to Haydn’s “Farewell” Symphony is that it was the composer’s musical message to his patron Prince Nikolaus Esterházy to let the court musicians return to their families after a much-prolonged period at his country estate. Through three bustling movements, little-by-little musicians leave the stage, until two violinists remain, and the symphony winds down to silence. Haydn’s craftsmanship, melodic mastery, and sharp wit inspired generations of composers—starting with his younger contemporaries Mozart and Beethoven, whose music, performed by two stellar artists, makes up the middle portion of the program. By the time Beethoven premiered the earliest version of his Piano Concerto No. 2 in 1795, it had undergone a long gestation, most notably being revised during the time (1792–1793) the composer spent studying with Haydn in Vienna. Bubbling with wit and high spirits, the concerto exhibits many influences from both Haydn and Mozart. Performing it here is the renowned British pianist Paul Lewis, who makes his Carnegie Hall concerto debut. Beethoven has been central to the pianist’s career, particularly over the past 10 years. His 2010 recording of the complete Beethoven concertos was hailed by The New York Times, for its “freshly considered, elegant and engrossing performances.” Rising soprano Ying Fang, who “possesses a lyric soprano of … verdant beauty” (Opera News) will perform the concert aria “Non temer, amato bene,” K. 490, written for the 1786 version of Mozart’s Idomeneo.

About Orchestra of St. Luke’s and St. Luke’s Chamber Ensemble
Orchestra of St. Luke’s (OSL) began in 1974 as a group of virtuoso musicians performing chamber music concerts at Greenwich Village’s Church of St. Luke in the Fields.  Now in its 44^th season, the Orchestra performs diverse musical genres at New York’s major concert venues and has collaborated with artists ranging from Renée Fleming and Joshua Bell to Bono and Metallica. In fall 2018, celebrated expert in 18th- century music Bernard Labadie began his tenure as the Orchestra’s fifth Principal Conductor. OSL’s signature programming includes a subscription series presented by Carnegie Hall, now in its 32^nd season; an annual multi–week collaboration with Paul Taylor American Modern Dance at Lincoln Center; an annual summer residency at Caramoor Center for Music and the Arts; and a chamber music festival featuring appearances at The Morgan Library & Museum, the Brooklyn Museum, and Merkin Concert Hall at Kaufman Music Center. The Orchestra has participated in 118 recordings, four of which have won Grammy Awards, has commissioned more than 50 new works, and has given more than 175 world, U.S., and New York City premieres. Nearly half of OSL’s performances each year are presented free of charge through its education and community programs, reaching over 10,000 New York City public school students. Additionally, OSL provides free instrumental coaching and presents student performances through its Youth Orchestra of St. Luke’s and its Mentorship Program for Pre-Professional Musicians. OSL built and operates The DiMenna Center for Classical Music in Hell’s Kitchen, New York City’s only rehearsal, recording, education, and performance space expressly dedicated to classical music. The Center serves more than 500 ensembles and more than 30,000 musicians each year.

In 2019, Orchestra of St. Luke’s launches two major initiatives: the inaugural OSL Bach Festival in New York City and the opening of the DeGaetano Composition Institute. The three-week Bach Festival at Carnegie Hall, Manhattan School of Music’s Neidorff-Karpati Hall, and at the DiMenna Center for Classical Music will feature 15 performances, including orchestral concerts conducted by Bernard Labadie, keyboard recitals, and Paul Taylor Dance Company performing its complete set of works choreographed to Bach scores.

For more information, visit OSLmusic.org.

About Bernard Labadie, Principal Conductor
Widely recognized as one of the world’s leading conductors of Baroque, Classical, and Early-Romantic repertoire, Bernard Labadie made his debut with the OSL as Principal Conductor Designate at the Caramoor Summer Music Festival on July 2, 2017 leading an all-Mozart program. Now, as OSL’s 5th Principal Conductor, he joins the distinguished roster of Pablo Heras-Casado (2011-2017), Roger Norrington (1990-1994), Charles Mackerras (1998-2001), and Donald Runnicles (2001-2007). Bernard Labadie received an Honorary Doctor of Musical Arts degree from Manhattan School of Music in May 2018.

Maestro Labadie’s 2018–19 season includes guest conducting engagements with Kansas City Symphony, Handel and Haydn Society, Canadian Opera Company, Philharmonie du Luxemburg, New World Symphony, Philadelphia Orchestra, Montreal Symphony, and Los Angeles Chamber Orchestra. French-Canadian Labadie founded the celebrated chamber orchestra Les Violons du Roy in 1984 and built it to international renown. He stepped down in 2014 from his 30–year tenure as Music Director to pursue wider interests. Labadie is a regular guest conductor with all the major North American orchestras and has appeared locally with the New York Philharmonic, The Metropolitan Opera, and the Mostly Mozart Festival Orchestra. His notable European engagements include the Royal Concertgebouw Orchestra, Bavarian Radio Symphony Orchestra, Orchestre Philharmonique de Radio France, Royal Scottish National Orchestra, and frequent assignments with period-instrument orchestras including Academy of Ancient Music, Orchestra of the Age of Enlightenment, The English Concert, and Akademie für Alte Musik Berlin. An eminent opera conductor, Maestro Labadie has served as Artistic Director of Opéra de Québec and Opéra de Montréal. He made his Metropolitan Opera debut during the 2009–2010 season with Mozart’s Die Zauberflöte.

Bernard Labadie’s extensive discography comprises many critically acclaimed recordings on the Dorian, ATMA, and Virgin Classics labels, including a collaborative recording of Mozart’s Requiem with Les Violons du Roy and La Chapelle de Québec, both of which received Canada’s Juno Award.

Media Contacts
Pascal Nadon Communications
Pascal Nadon
pascal@pascalnadon.com(646) 234-7088

Orchestra of St. Luke’s
Stephen Litner, Director of Marketing and Communications
slitner@OSLmusic.org
(212) 594-6100 x103

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