Mahler Symphony No. 2 Concert

ABOUT THE PROGRAM

There is nothing like Mahler’s Symphony No. 2. It is an apocalyptic work requiring vast forces: a giant orchestra, as well as an organ, chorus, two soloists and multiple offstage musicians. Mahler poses the great questions of life and provides heart-stopping answers. In the finale the earth quakes, graves burst open, the last trumpet sounds, and a heavenly choir reassures all humankind: "Rise again, yes, thou shalt rise again." Of the culminating moments Mahler wrote: "A feeling of overwhelming love fills us with blissful knowledge and illuminates our existence."

Dame Sarah Connolly, acclaimed as one of the greatest Mahler singers in living memory, sings the mezzo-soprano part, which includes the ineffable song "Urlicht." Her 2022 BPO performance of Mahler's Das Lied von der Erde sublimely demonstrated the poignancy that she brings to Mahler's music. She and Swedish soprano Miah Persson sing the mezzo and soprano part, respectively, on Maestro Zander's recording of the Mahler Second with the London Philharmonia Orchestra (you can hear it here). The authenticity that both bring to Mahler's music perfectly matches my vision.

-Benjamin Zander

There will be no intermission for this concert

More about this Concert

• Leading British mezzo-soprano Dame Sarah Connolly praised by Lloyd Schwartz of Musical America as "achingly poignant British contralto Dame Sarah Connolly... is still at the top of her form." returns to the Boston Philharmonic for this performance. 
• Listen to Dame Sarah Connolly and Miah Persson perform Mahler Symphony No. 2 with the London Philharmonia conducted by Benjamin Zander. 
• Listen to Dame Sarah Connolly perform Symphony No. 2 in C Minor Resurrection IV. Urlicht
• Listen to Benjamin Zander's lecture about Mahler Symphony No. 2.

This is a live concert that will be live-streamed! Please read through our support page for Boston Philharmonic virtual events. Our Live Streams and On Demand events are viewable on computers, smartphones, and tablets. We cannot guarantee that you will be able to view these events on your television.

Information for ticket buyers

• All Boston Philharmonic Orchestra concerts make use of a stage extension. This makes row E the first row directly in front of the stage. View Symphony Hall Seat Maps to see where the extension overlaps and where any viewer obstructions are located before you choose your seats.
  
  
• Children in attendance must be five years old, and we recommend that children in attendance be at least eight years old. Most of our concerts feature musical works that are 30+ minutes in length without pause. Children, regardless of age, must be prepared to sit still and remain quiet throughout the performance.
  
  
• If you are choosing to have your tickets emailed to you, your tickets are print-at-home and not digital or e-tickets. This means that you will receive an email with PDF attachments. One PDF per ticket that you purchased. You must either download your PDF ticket(s) to your phone to show the ushers or print your PDF ticket(s) out and bring them with you to the concert. Print-at-home tickets are a convenience for ticket buyers so that they may receive their tickets right away.

• When placing your order online wait to put any discount codes in until you've made your seat choices, and you are on the screen with the dollar amount total for your order. There you can put your code into the "Promotional code" field and press the "submit" button. The total page will refresh and show you the new total with the discount.

  Contact the box office at 617-236-0999 if you want assistance or have questions about your order.  

• View our Ticket Policies page for further information.
  
  

All dates, repertoire, venues, and artists subject to change.