Symphony Rewards Mechetti With New Deal
The hiring of a new associate conductor, Jung-Ho Pak, is big news for the Spokane Symphony, but the even bigger news, almost lost in the shuffle, is that the symphony has signed Fabio Mechetti to a new three-year contract as music director.
This is the ultimate confirmation of something increasingly obvious over the past three years: Mechetti is the strong leader that the symphony so desperately needed and wanted.
His three-year tenure has been so solid, it’s easy to forget the turmoil the symphony endured in the early ‘90s. The late and beloved music director Bruce Ferden resigned in 1991, and the symphony floundered for leadership over the next two years. Vakhtang Jordania was hired, but it was clear within months that he was not the right person for the job. He was gone after only two years of a three-year contract.
At that point, the symphony went in search of a conductor who had the right combination of firm leadership, exceptional musical talent and warm community-relations skills.
The message of this new three-year contract: The symphony found that person, and is keeping him.
It’s the Jethro Denver concert!
Two new concerts to announce this week:
Jethro Tull and Emerson, Lake and Palmer - These two classic rock staples are booked into The Gorge on Sept. 27 at 7 p.m. Tickets are on sale, $44.65 to $28.90, through Ticketmaster outlets (four Pay Less stores in Spokane).
John Denver - The Rocky Mountain High guy comes to the Spokane Opera House Sept. 16 at 7:30 p.m. Tickets are $27.50, $29.50 and $34.50 through G&B Select-a-Seat.
What happened to Sheryl?
Sheryl Crow, the alternative popster, has canceled her Sept. 21 concert at Riverfront Park, but not because of poor ticket sales. Even the most timid of promoters wouldn’t panic this early.
She canceled, according to Riverfront Park officials, because her new album’s release has been delayed into October. The tour can’t start until the album is out.
Hampson on Broadway
Thomas Hampson, Spokane’s own international opera star, has just released a new album on Angel titled “The Best of Broadway.”
This crossover project has Hampson wrapping his baritone around classic Broadway tunes. Here’s how Billboard magazine reviewed it:
“As other Angel/EMI projects have shown, the star opera baritone is at home with Broadway material, using a combination of vocal sensitivity and muscular power without being overbearing. Backed by the strong American Theatre Orchestra, Hampson surveys the best of another era (i.e., ‘All The Things You Are,’ ‘If Ever I Would Leave You’) and contemporary standards from the stage (i.e., ‘Bring Him Home,’ ‘The Music of the Night’). Hampson’s commanding presence is a treat for the ears.”
KSKN’s local presence
Last week, I mentioned that KSKN-Channel 22, a local TV station that carries the Home Shopping Network, is owned by Mel Querio of Chico, Calif.
That’s true as far as it goes. Querio is the majority owner. But Stephen Whitehead of Spokane pointed out that he and Bill Romine of Spokane are also part-owners of the station. He said local people “got the ball rolling” on the station seven years ago, and it is largely a “local success story.”
Lake City season
The Lake City Playhouse, Coeur d’Alene’s community theater, has announced its 1996-97 lineup: “Bell, Book and Candle,” Sept. 12-28; “Little Shop of Horrors,” Oct. 25-Nov. 9; “The Best Christmas Pageant Ever,” Dec. 6-15; “Greater Tuna,” Feb. 21-March 8; “Babes in Arms,” April 4-19; and “Barefoot in the Park,” May 16-31.
Call (208) 667-1323 for season ticket information.
Playwright winner
Belated congratulations to John Carr of Tacoma, who won the Spokane Civic Theatre’s Playwrights Forum Festival ‘96 with his play “Boxing the Big Jolly Guy.”
The play, one of 42 entries, won the juried award as well as the audience poll.
, DataTimes ILLUSTRATION: Color Photo
MEMO: To leave a message on Jim Kershner’s voice-mail, call 459-5493. Or send e-mail to jimk@spokesman.com, or regular mail to Spokesman-Review, P.O. Box 2160, Spokane, WA 99210.