Yefim Bronfman
Yefim Bronfman to play an in-person, stadium concert with Tulsa Symphony in September
Opening Night: A Celebration of Beethoven
The Tulsa Symphony Orchestra will kick-off its exciting fall season with an open-air, socially distanced performance at ONEOK Field with Yefim Bronfman as soloist.
The Tulsa Symphony Orchestra will present its first two concerts of the 2020-2021 season as outdoor events at ONEOK Field, home of the Tulsa Drillers baseball team. The season-opening performance will celebrate the 250th birthday of Beethoven, and will spotlight world-renowned pianist Yefim Bronfman who will play the historic Piano Concerto No. 3 in C-Minor that was premiered by Beethoven, as the soloist, in 1803. Daniel Hege, Principal Guest Conductor, will also conduct the turbulent Coriolan Overture and the captivating Symphony No. 7. The evening will close with a fireworks display.
Masks will be required to attend, and social distancing will be accomplished by limiting ONEOK stadium’s capacity to only 19%; therefore, tickets are limited. The stadium will also employ its disinfecting system and sanitary stations that have been used extensively at recent baseball games.
From Tulsa World:
Keith Elder, executive director of the Tulsa Symphony, said the decision to take up temporary residence at the baseball park was a way for the organization to put on concerts in a manner that would allow for social distancing and other safety measures necessary in light of the coronavirus pandemic.
“That was the reason why we decided simply to cancel our Symphony in the Park show, which was to be done at the Guthrie Green,” Elder said. “We met with Dr. (Bruce) Dart from the Tulsa Health Department, and we realized it would be impossible to put that show on in a way that would keep both our audience and our musicians safe.
“By having the shows at ONEOK Field, we will be able to maintain social distancing in how people will be seated, both in the audience and among the performers,” he said. “The stadium seats about 8,500, and we’re expecting about 1,700 for our concerts, so there should be plenty of room.”
Masks will be required of all attendees, Elder said.
Patrons will be in the ballpark’s regular seating, with the orchestra set up on the playing field. Elder said the orchestra is working with one of the top sound engineers in the country to ensure that the orchestra will be heard clearly.
“The sound of the orchestra is incredibly important to us, and we’re going to make sure it’s the best it can be for these concerts,” Elder said.