With the Omicron variant sending COVID-19 cases soaring well past record levels over the past week, the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra is pivoting to virtual concerts for its next two performances.
The Jan. 13 and 15 concerts — featuring guest pianist Stephen Hough playing Saint-Saëns’ Piano Concerto No. 4 with guest conductor Kazuki Yamada — will now be performed at Symphony Hall with no audience and filmed. The concert will be available to view Feb. 4 on the ASO website as part of the Behind The Curtain Series.
It will be the same for the Jan. 20 and 22 concerts that will feature guest guitarist Miloš Karadaglić performing the U.S. premiere of Joby Talbot’s “Ink Dark Moon” under the baton of guest conductor Gemma New. Those performances will also be available to stream on Feb. 4.
Ticket holders have the option to trade for admission to a future concert, donate the unused ticket, receive a full refund or receive a credit for a performance next season.
In addition, the scheduled Jan. 14 pop-rock concert with Phillip Phillips and Jon Foreman has been cancelled. All tickets will be refunded at the point of purchase.
Other Symphony Hall concerts this month — including the ASO’s Jan. 29-30 performance and the Jazz Celebration of the Allman Brothers Band show on Jan. 23 — are, for the time being, still scheduled to take place.
According to figures in The New York Times, the number of COVID-19 cases has risen 254 percent nationally over the past 14 days, and 478 percent in Georgia. The state has a daily average of 17,921 cases and 3,813 hospitalizations. Officials have said the unvaccinated overwhelmingly comprise most of the hospitalizations.
Credit: ArtsATL
Credit: ArtsATL
Working closely with the American Press Institute, The Atlanta Journal-Constitution is embarking on an experiment to identify, nurture and expand a network of news partnerships across metro Atlanta and the state.
Our newest partner, ArtsATL (www.artsatl.org), is a nonprofit organization that plays a critical role in educating and informing audiences about metro Atlanta’s arts and culture. Founded in 2009, ArtsATL’s goal is to help build a sustainable arts community contributing to the economic and cultural health of the city.
Over the next several weeks, we’ll be introducing more partners, and we’d love to hear your feedback.
You can reach Managing Editor Mark A. Waligore via email at mark.waligore@ajc.com.
