ON THE COVER: Standing at the entry to Eden Park is the iconic Elsinore Arch. In 1883, Cincinnati Water Works needed a new valve house near Eden Park. As the story goes, Music Hall hosted a Shakespearean Dramatic Festival in the spring of 1883, during which Hamlet was performed. A large (65-by-65 foot) beautifully painted backdrop of Elsinore Castle was part of the production. This backdrop became the inspiration behind the Elsinore Arch, which Charles B. Hannaford, son of Samuel Hannaford of the architectural firm Samuel Hannaford & Sons, built in late 1883. Samuel Hannaford was the architect for Cincinnati Music Hall and City Hall.

Welcome to our 2023–24 season and Louis Langrée’s final season as Music Director of our Orchestra. 

On the Cover: CSO Music Director Louis Langrée

Writer David Lyman highlights the many exciting concerts that are ahead in the 2023-24 concert season. We hear from Louis Langrée about his final season as Music Director and JMR shares his inspiration for the season.

One the Cover Music for All: Music Director Louis Langrée, Cincinnati Pops Conductor John Morris Russell, Nouveau Program coach Marion Peraza and Assistant Conductors Samuel Lee and Daniel Wiley, with members of the Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra, Cincinnati Symphony Youth Orchestra, Diversity Fellowship and Nouveau Program. Credit: Claudia Hershner

On the Cover Principal French Horn Elizabeth Freimuth

Catalyzed by the Covid-19 pandemic, the Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra prioritized and accelerated diversity, equity, and inclusion (DE&I) and digital innovation efforts in its aim to become the most relevant orchestra in America.

On the Cover Music Director Louis Langrée.

On the Cover New Faces of the Orchestra—On Stage and Behind the Scenes

Welcome to the 2022–23 season! The cover of this issue of Fanfare Magazine is symbolic, as we have taken to heart the all-encompassing themes of resurrection and renewal.

Explore the our summer digital stories.

ON THE COVER Celebrating 10 Years with John Morris Russell

ON THE COVER In celebration of Women’s History month, the issue contains a few of the many stories centered on women of the CSO and Pops.

ON THE COVER The annual CSO/CSYO Side-by-Side concert. Read more about the January and February 2022 concerts.

ON THE COVER CeCe Winans joins the Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra for its annual Classical Roots concert March 6. Read more about Ms. Winans and the concert—a celebration of the rich and diverse African-American musical experience—in her Fanfare Spotlight article.

ON THE COVER The celebration of the CSO’s 125th anniversary continues this month, with two exciting weekends under the baton of Louis Langrée, including a fully staged version of Ravel’s l’Enfant et les sortilèges and the recreation of the complete Beethoven Akademie of 1808.

ON THE COVER The Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra was born 125 years ago in January 1895, and this month’s concerts and events are a celebration of that milestone and of those who have built a legacy of excellence that will endure long into the future.

ON THE COVER Cincinnati Pops Conductor John Morris Russell invites you to experience Cincinnati’s favorite holiday music tradition, Dec. 13–15, in a Music Hall beautifully adorned for the season. Tony-nominated star Megan Hilty, along with choirs, dancers and Santa himself, will help spread the holiday joy.

ON THE COVER Thomas Wilkins returns to Music Hall to lead the CSO in its “American Life” concerts Nov. 15–16, which feature five works by African-American composers past and present. Pianist Louis Schwizgebel performs Florence Price’s Piano Concerto in One Movement.

ON THE COVER Louis Langrée leads the CSO in the world premiere of the Symphony No. 6 by Christopher Rouse, music commissioned by the Orchestra for this 125th Anniversary season, Oct. 18–19.

ON THE COVER Anne-Sophie Mutter is a musical phenomenon. For more than 40 years the virtuoso has been a fixture in all of the world’s major concert halls, making her mark on the classical music scene as soloist, mentor and visionary. The four-time Grammy® Award winner performs Beethoven’s Violin Concerto Sept. 28–29.

ON THE COVER John Morris Russell (JMR) conducts the Cincinnati Pops on July 4 at Riverbend for the Orchestra’s annual Red, White and BOOM concert spectacular! Joining him at center stage will be Tony-nominated vocalist Montego Glover, the Six-String Soldiers of the U.S. Army Field Band and the Cincinnati Pops Chorale.

ON THE COVER Grammy-winning Russian pianist Daniil Trifonov has made a spectacular ascent in the classical music world as a solo artist, champion of the concerto repertoire, chamber and vocal collaborator, and composer. He makes his CSO debut May 3–4 performing Beethoven’s Piano Concerto No. 5. 

ON THE COVER Esther Yoo, the violinist recently listed as one of Classic FM’s Top 30 Artists under 30 and acclaimed for her “dark, aristocratic tone” (Gramophone) and “balanced grace” (The Herald), will make her CSO debut Mar 30–31, performing Prokofiev’s Second Violin Concerto.

ON THE COVER CSO Music Director Louis Langrée will take audiences on a journey from America to France and back again with a program of works including Gershwin’s An American in Paris, Varèse’s Amériques, Barber’s Violin Concerto and Ravel’s Tzigane Mar 15–16.