BENJAMIN EALOVEGA
New Jersey Symphony Orchestra music director Xian Zhang.
The New Jersey Symphony Orchestra is postponing its remaining eight March concerts due to the coronavirus.
The orchestra has released this statement from its president and CEO, Gabriel van Aalst: “The health and safety of our patrons, musicians, staff and communities are our highest priority. It is crucial that we do our part to protect our communities and to help slow the spread of this virus in our region. This is especially important to the NJSO because many of the patrons and communities we serve statewide fall into the categories of those who are most vulnerable to COVID-19.
“NJSO concerts and activities will resume once we are confident that it is safe to hold public events. We will follow updates and guidance provided by the CDC and New Jersey Department of Health to make the most informed decision possible.”
The eight postponed concerts are performances of Beethoven piano concertos, featuring pianist Louis Lortie, at BergenPAC in Englewood, the Richardson Auditorium in Princeton, NJPAC in Newark and the State Theatre in New Brunswick, March 19-22; and of Beethoven’s Symphony No. 3, “Eroica,” plus works by Rossini and Christopher Rouse, at NJPAC, the Count Basie Center for the Arts in Red Bank and the Mayo Performing Arts Center in Morristown, March 26-29.
(The concerts were intended to celebrate the 250th anniversary of Beethoven’s birth, which takes place this year, and NJSO music director Xian Zhang were going to conduct them.)
According to a press release, “Plans to reschedule these concerts, if possible, will be announced at a later date.
“The Orchestra will also suspend its education and community engagement activities through at least March 29.”
For information, visit njsymphony.org.
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