The majestic waltzes and polkas of the Viennese dance halls will herald in the New Year alongside a set of traditional Ukrainian folk songs from Kirill and Ruslana’s homeland.
Performances take place at: Lighthouse, Poole [1 Jan]; Taunton Brewhouse [4 Jan]; Weymouth Pavilion [5 Jan]; and Mayflower Southampton [6 Jan].
Audiences in Poole, Southampton, Taunton, and Weymouth are set to experience a New Year’s celebration like no other, as Kirill Karabits — the popular Chief Conductor of the BSO — kicks off his final year in post with a cultural exchange to herald in 2024.
The swirling majesty of the traditional Viennese New Year Gala returns to venues across the South West with a selection of celebratory polkas, waltzes and polonaises – and, this year, the BSO’s Chief Conductor, Kirill Karabits, guides listeners eastward from the Viennese dance halls toward the colourful musical landscapes of Ukraine.
The Orchestra and Karabits unite with special guest, Kyiv-based folk singer Ruslana Lotsman, who is known for her uplifting performances and bright native costumes, in a selection of specially arranged festive songs that have been written by composer Bogdan Kryvorust.
Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra’s Chief Conductor, Kirill Karabits, said: “I’m excited to mark the start of 2024, my final year as the BSO’s Chief Conductor, in the company of our supportive audiences across the region and with my friends on stage – including, the brilliant singer Ruslana Lotsman, who joins us from Ukraine. We’re looking forward to uniting in the joyful music of the Viennese dance halls alongside a set of uplifting folk songs that we’ve curated especially for the occasion.”
Following a sensational relationship lasting a decade and a half, Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra’s final season with Karabits as Chief Conductor continues through until late spring, ahead of a day-long musical celebration at London’s Southbank Centre [19 May].
The 2023/24 season sees the BSO celebrate a broad range of repertoire with Karabits, from the symphonies of Brahms, Bruckner and Borodin to rarities as part of the Voices from the East series of music from Karabits’ native Ukraine and beyond.
Karabits will take up a new role of Conductor Laureate, Artistic Director, Voices from the East from summer 2024.
The BSO’s New Year’s performances take place at Lighthouse, Poole (1 Jan), Taunton Brewhouse (4 Jan), Weymouth Pavilion (5 Jan) and Mayflower, Southampton (6 Jan). For full concert listings see bsolive.com
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NOTES TO EDITORS
For more information please contact: Claire Rawles | crawles@bsorchestra.co.uk | 07860 776646 or Rebecca Johns | rebecca.johns@premiercomms.com | 07715 205 196