Romeo and Juliet

James Lowe, conductor Mackenzie Melemed, piano Kabalevsky’s witty and sparkling Colas Breugnon Overture bursts open the season with swagger and wit. Pianist Mackenzie Melemed brings grandeur and brilliance to Amy Beach’s richly romantic Piano Concerto. Prokofiev’s searing music from Romeo and Juliet closes the night, where love, violence, and heartbreak blaze across one of the orchestra’s most vivid scores. Dmitri Kabalevsky Colas Breugnon Overture, Op.24 Amy Beach Piano Concerto in C-sharp minor, Op.45 Sergei Prokofiev Selections from Romeo and Juliet SATURDAY DOORS 6PM | PRECONCERT TALK 6:30PM | SHOW 7:30PM SUNDAY DOORS 1:30PM | PRECONCERT TALK 2PM | SHOW 3PM Subscription Packages On Sale: Friday, May 8 Single Tickets On Sale: Friday, June 19 SATURDAY TICKETS SUNDAY TICKETS BUY MASTERWORKS SUBSCRIPTION Free K-12 Tickets Bring the whole family! This show has free tickets available for all students K-12 through the Spokane Symphony FASTix program. Get your tickets by calling The Fox box office at 509-624-1200. Program Notes Coming Soon Mackenzie Melemed Recipient of the 2022 Avery Fisher Career Grant, 30-year-old American pianist Mackenzie Melemed has emerged as one of the most distinctive musical voices of his generation, admired for his nuanced interpretations, technical finesse, and deep artistic sensibility. Hailed as “an excellent young pianist” by the New York Times, Melemed enjoyed an abundance of early stage experience, with over 500 performances to his name by age 13, undoubtedly one of the most seasoned pianists among his peers. Whether in recital, chamber music, or orchestral settings, his performances are marked by a desire to communicate, to reveal, and to connect—with the score, with fellow musicians, and most of all, with the audience. Born in Massachusetts, Melemed began piano studies at age four, and soon after was performing weekly for senior citizens. At the age of five, he made a national appearance on The Rosie O’Donnell Show, and by nine, he was headlining a 60-show run at the Tropicana Resort in Atlantic City, New Jersey. From nine to thirteen, he was invited annually to perform at the White House during the Holiday Open House celebrations—experiences that proved instrumental in shaping his identity as a performer. This wide-ranging exposure fostered a deep comfort on stage and a natural ease in sharing music. Melemed’s artistry goes beyond performance, combining music and storytelling into memorable experiences for both newcomers and seasoned listeners. Through thoughtfully curated programs that blend familiar works with rare discoveries, he creates intimate connections with audiences, sharing insights that illuminate the music. His vision extends beyond the concert hall: he aims to spark curiosity for lesser-known composers while inspiring future pianists to explore uncharted repertoire, gradually expanding what we consider essential to the classical canon. A laureate of the 2021 American Pianists...