The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Surge sends ASO back to virtual concerts
Performances later this month still scheduled to be in-person events.
With the Omicron variant sending COVID-19 cases soaring well past record levels over the past week, the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra is pivoting to virtual concerts for its next two performances.
The Thursday and Saturday concerts — featuring guest pianist Stephen Hough playing Saint-saëns’ Piano Concerto No. 4 with guest conductor Kazuki Yamada — will now be performed at Symphony Hall with no audience and filmed. The concert will be available to view Feb. 4 on the ASO website as part of the Behind The Curtain Series.
It will be the same for the Jan. 20 and 22 concerts that will feature guest guitarist Milos Karadaglic performing the U.S. premiere of Joby Talbot’s “Ink Dark Moon” under the baton of guest conductor Gemma New. Those performances will also be available to stream Feb. 4.
Ticket holders have the option to trade for admission to a future concert, donate the unused ticket, receive a full refund or receive a credit for a performance next season.
In addition, the scheduled Friday pop-rock concert with Phillip Phillips and Jon Foreman has been canceled. All tickets will be refunded at the point of purchase.
Other Symphony Hall concerts this month — including the ASO’S Jan. 29-30 performance and the Jazz Celebration of the Allman Brothers Band show Jan. 23 — are, for the time being, still scheduled to take place.
According to figures in The New York Times, the number of COVID19 cases has risen 254% nationally over the past 14 days, and 478% in Georgia. The state has a daily aver
of 17,921 cases and 3,813 hospitalizations. Officials have said the unvaccinated overwhelmingly comprise most of the hospitalizations.
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