Opening Night for the 2025/2026 season was a tribute to Springfield’s Italian heritage and featured both classical and contemporary selections. The opening number, by tradition, had the audience standing for the national anthem. Springfield Mayor Dominic Sarno was glad to accept “an offer he could not refuse” to deliver opening remarks and express thanks to audience members and musicians for their support and dedication. Heather Caisse-Roberts, the Symphony’s new President and CEO, brought energy and enthusiasm as she thanked past President Paul Lambert and all those in attendance for making a new season possible.
Six big bold brass soundings opened the concert with Verdi’s “Force of Destiny” Overture. Ottorino Respighi’s “Ancient Airs and Dances: Suite III” brought approximately two dozen musicians of The Springfield Youth Orchestra to the stage to play side by side with the SSO’s professional musicians. The all-strings orchestra rose to the occasion. The sound was beautiful, and they will hopefully play with the SSO for many years to come. Guest conductor and SSO Artistic Advisor Mei-Ann Chen asked all parents and teachers of the students to stand for a round of applause. In her words, “It takes a village to raise an orchestra.”
The iconic sound of the solo trumpet opening of Nino Rota’s music for “The Godfather” were familiar and expected, but what was unexpected was the trumpet played from the Grand Tier balcony of Symphony Hall.
This surprise was magnified in Respighi’s “Pines of Rome.” Before it started, the conductor’s podium was removed. It was impressive to be able to conduct without a score, but what was more impressive was the full-body conducting of Mei-Ann Chen. The piece opens brightly with strings, wind, brass and percussion mimicking happy children at play. The second movement depicts the Catacombs with a mournful, somber sound. The third movement features the clarinet as a nightingale, and recorded bird song filled the hall. The fourth movement is a loud, rousing parade, suggesting the Roman Army marching along the Appian Way.
The main body of the orchestra was on stage, but there were French horns in the Left Loge, trumpets in the Grand Tier, and trombones in the Right Tier. It was Surround Sound, and Conductor Chen was employing 360 degrees of conducting. Even when the music had ended, Chen’s exuberant cue for the musicians to rise highlighted her talent for full-body bows.
