The National Symphony Orchestra’s Opening Ball Concert is one of the most glittering of the season. Sunday’s program is festive from beginning to end with favorite artists performing signature works. NSO Music Director Christoph Eschenbach is at the podium to conduct Dvorak’s “Carnival Overture,” Ravel’s “Bolero,” Bruch’s Violin Concerto No. 1 performed by Joshua Bell and selections from Aaron Copland’s “Old American Songs” sung by baritone Thomas Hampson. The occasion includes a film celebrating the NSO’s 80th anniversary and the Kennedy Center’s 40th.
When Hampson comes onstage, he commands the space. It is evident, even to those in the most distant seats, that he is enjoying himself, be the occasion an opera role, a recital or a guest orchestral appearance. A recording artist, teacher and archivist, he established the Hampsong Foundation to promote intercultural understanding and collaborates with the Library of Congress in his Song of America project. His choice of music for this special concert echoes his love of this country’s musical history.
| Onstage |
| The National Symphony Orchestra: The Season Opening Ball Concert |
| Where: Kennedy Center Concert Hall |
| When: 7 p.m. Sunday |
| Info: $20 to $125; 202-467-4600, 800-444-1324; kennedy-center.org |
“I’ve always been passionate about song, whether it’s Copland’s folk songs, French songs or German lied,” he said. “PBS first came to me and asked if I could imagine putting together a program to define our culture based on music.
“My idea was a visual arts approach of a timeline over a five- or 10-year period to show the major building blocks of how America has become America. This should be part of education in history classes. With our new social media tapestry, it’s a no-brainer to share.”
Hampson has worked with many influential musicians, none more impressive than Leonard Bernstein, for whom he auditioned in 1986 right after making his Met debut. The Mahler song he chose to sing for Bernstein made such an impression that they worked closely for several years.
This season will be a busy one for Hampson with recitals, several performances of “Othello” in Zurich and “Heart of a Soldier,” a new opera by Christopher Theofanidis about 9/11 hero Rick Rescorla based on the book by James B. Stewart. It was commissioned by the San Francisco Opera and premiered there on the eve of the 10th anniversary of the World Trade Center attacks.
“Chris’ music and libretto [by Donna Di Novelli] captured the story,” Hampson said. “I’m passionate about the piece with the tragic backdrop of Rick’s last moments balanced by the romantic realization of love later in life. Compared with ‘Othello,’ a dark hole of the universe, ‘Heart of a Soldier’ is a bright light. Rick’s final challenge is sad, yet fulfilling. I left Iago to the last of my major roles. You need serious experience to bring this monumental piece to the theater.”
