SSU Unveils Star-Studded 2013-14 Season

Sonoma State University has announced its lineup for the 2013-14 season, including performances by world-renown violinist Itzhak Perlman, jazz legend Herbie Hancock and Portuguese fado star Mariza.

An opening night celebration will star soprano Renée Fleming, one of America’s most beloved vocalists. During the show, the rear wall of Weill Hall will be open to the terraced lawns and offer expanded seating for 5,000 additional patrons.

Itzhak Perlman will come to Weill Hall on Sept. 21, followed by jazz legend Herbie Hancock on Sept. 28.

Orchestral headliners of the season include the Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra in March, The English Concert performing Handel’s Theodora, Venice Baroque Orchestra with rising star counter-tenor Philippe Jaroussky, and Handel’s Messiah by Philharmonia Baroque Orchestra and Chorale.

Acclaimed sopranos Jessye Norman, Ruth Ann Swenson, and Deborah Voigt are featured in a phenomenal vocal lineup, that also includes baritones Bryn Terfel in October and Florian Boesch in May, accompanied by Malcolm Martineau on piano.

“An Afternoon of Opera” in March pairs operatic sensations Leah Crocetto and David Lomeli, accompanied by Weill Hall’s resident orchestra, the Santa Rosa Symphony.

An array of award-winning instrumentalists is intertwined throughout the twenty-three concert season, beginning with a return performance by Chinese superstar Lang Lang. The season also features fellow pianists Garrick Ohlsson and Richard Goode, as well as acclaimed violinist Hilary Hahn, and a performance by The Takács Quartet.

Six jazz and world music concerts showcase an impressive range of artistry, including fado artist Mariza, Spanish flamenco sensation Estrella Morente, the Silk Road Ensemble, the Bahia Orchestra Project, and rising jazz stars Jon Batiste and Stay Human.

Programming in addition to the MasterCard Performance Series includes a full season by Weill Hall’s resident orchestra, the Santa Rosa Symphony, led by music director Bruno Ferrandis and performing seven triple-sets of classical works and a variety of family and youth concerts.

The Grammy award-winning San Francisco Symphony returns to Weill Hall for a second year, featuring four concerts led by Michael Tilson-Thomas, Semyon Bychkov, Alexander Barantschik, and Charles Dutoit.   

Past subscribers and MasterCard cardholders are eligible to purchase subscription packages starting Tuesday, April 2 at 8am. Subscription tickets go on sale to the general public on Monday, April 22 at 8am.

Ticket purchases can be made online at gmc.sonoma.edu, or over the phone with the Sonoma State University Box Office at 866.955.6040.