Exciting news from The Boston Symphony Orchestra today, as it was announced that they will will embark on their first international tour starting in August 2007, which will include locations in Europe, signifying the first time in six years that the BSO will visit the European continent. Leading the tour will be Music Director, James Levine, who is currently serving his third season with the BSO.
"[...]The two-week, seven-city tour will include performances in Lucerne (August 26-28), Hamburg (August 30), Essen (August 31), Düsseldorf (September 1), Berlin (September 3), Paris (September 4), and London (September 6-7). The tour repertoire includes Berlioz’ La Damnation de Faust with mezzo-soprano Yvonne Naef as Marguerite, tenor Marcello Giordani as Faust, baritone José van Dam as Méphistophélès"
"Performances in Lucerne and Hamburg will include Bartók’s only opera, Bluebeard’s Castle, with mezzo-soprano Michelle DeYoung, bass-baritone Albert Dohmen and narrator Örs Kisfaludy."
"'I’m thrilled to lead the BSO on our first European tour together during my work with this orchestra,' said Levine.'[...]"
I can only imagine the impact on this previous lament once Levine and the BSO start sampling all of those yummy European foods & drinky things...